Don't expect every update to be this quick. It's not very likely. I've been sick this week so I've had extra time. I plan to update my other stuff soon to so. . .

Anyway, read & review!

Okay, in response to a reviewer who said this story was a lot like Across Times and Oceans, don't worry I'm not offended. I have read that story, it's very good, but I can assure you that this story's different. My idea with the two mind thing came from a book I read a long time ago, Being of Two Minds by Pamela F. Service. And even that I changed cause the two people were from the same time and couldn't hear each other's thoughts or taste and smell things the other person could. Anyway, I'm glad you pointed that out, though I think you'll find that other than the King Tut part, our stories are very different. ^.^ I've already written the first few chapters and they aren't at all like Tessandra's first few chapters. So anyway, hope you like the story!

Lunar Wulf Gemini: I updated soon just for you, my first reviewer! Thanks!

And just FYI, at the moment Tahi doesn't know that Tut dies. She only knows what Leigh knows, and Leigh hasn't taken World History yet, and isn't a history buff, so neither of them know. Yet.
Vocab:

Waset- the ancient name for Thebes. Thebes (Thebai) is the Greek name for it.

miu- cat, literally means he or she who mews.' Ain't that cute? I love it. Miu.

nisu- the Egyptian word for the king, pharaoh wasn't used until the last 18th dynasty, when other cultures began to use it.
Chapter Two
by Chione
I watched Neema from the corner of my eyes. My feet moved in time with hers, and my arms mimicked her movements, both of us gaining speed and momentum for the flips ahead. It was a pair dance and our every move had to be in unison. We'd been training since we were very young, and it was almost second nature to move together.

I placed my feet on the ground with more force than usual, and launched into the air, arching back to land gracefully beside Neema, at exactly the same moment. The sand stirred under our feet as the small crowd cheered. My blood pumped through my veins, and my breath came fast and I grinned until my cheeks burned. I love dancing.

Neema turned to me. Tahi, that was great, we'll definitely be ready for the banquet.

I nodded. The banquet was held by one of the highest noble in Waset, Khasekhemwy, and Neema and I had been hired as part of the entertainment, dancers. No Egyptian banquet would be complete without dancing. We happened to belong to one of the best troupes in the city.

Tahi! Tahirah! That was wonderful! You get better every time I see you. Abasi jogged to my side, not quite smiling but looking pleased. His smiles are rare. Wonderful, but rare.

Thank you, Abasi. I'm sure I get better every time too? Neema asked, eyebrow raised. She tossed her thick, ebony hair behind her shoulder; beads of lapis lazuli were woven into her locks, glittering in the sun.

Of course. He said. He didn't elaborate, instead focused on me again. Khasekhemwy wanted to see you. He said something about an errand.

Isis! I'd forgotten. I was supposed to deliver a message to the Royal Chancellor Ay.

Don't get the idea that I'm involved in nobility, because I'm usually not. It's just that I'm not only a dancer, I also work of Khasekhemwy's wife, Nefersit, as a sort of errand-girl. Or I guess what Leigh would call a secretary.' I do whatever work I can to help my family; the harvest has not been good this year and my parents are aging. Anything I can earn is always appreciated.

Why would he need to see you? Men don't normally involve themselves in women's work. Neema asked, rather skeptically. I suppose that's true. Women employ women and men employ men. The end.

But this was a unique situation: Nefersit was ill and the message was actually from her. I think. I try not to get caught up in the lives of the upper class. Not really my business.

I shrugged and tilted my head in a Don't-ask-me' way. Nodding my head at the two, I took a deep breath and worked my way through the throngs of people in the market, praying I wouldn't be too late.

Ah, Tahirah-jendyi there you are. This is a very important letter for the Chancellor, please make sure he gets it immediately. Khasekhemy was an imposing man, wearing more finery than I'd ever hope to have. His wig probably cost more than all I owned combined.

He held out a papyrus scroll, bound with papyrus reeds. He eyed me with distrust as I gently gripped the letter in my hands, careful not to crush it. Whether Nefersit informed him I'm literate, or he just doesn't trust anyone, I couldn't figure out. It wasn't, after all, common for girls, especially from a non-noble family, to be able to read and write.

Thank the gods for Leigh. I would be illiterate if it weren't for her. She pestered me to learn Egyptian, in addition to the English I was forced to learn in her world. Not to mention French. Who ever heard of taking a foreign language in school? Isn't it hard enough to learn one? Why torture yourself?

Anyway, I wasn't looking forward to venturing back into the palace anytime soon. Yesterday's incident with the Pharaoh was not something I was hoping to repeat. Maybe I should rephrase that. I certainly didn't want to actually talk to him again, but I wouldn't mind catching a glimpse. It's not like it hurts to look, right?

My plan was to find the Chancellor, give him the note, and slip out without running into anyone else.

Isn't it funny how things never go as planned?

I found the Chancellor easily enough. Tossing around Khasekhemwy's name got me a personal escort to take me to him, which was nice. The problem arose when I actually saw the Chancellor. He was an old man, around seventy, with a shriveled stature and shrewd, dark eyes that will probably always haunt me. Still, that wasn't what really startled me.

I found him deep in conversation with nisu Tutankhamun himself.

The Pharaoh looked even more regal than he had before. Watching him, I couldn't believe I'd ever mistaken him for anything other than a living god. Of course, that's what Egyptians think. I tried not to wonder too much about religion and things of that nature, it's too confusing with what I know of the future, and religions that will develop. But still, he was a living god to our society and he was certainly dressed like one. Gold, silver, lapis lazuli, rubies, opals, sapphires, emeralds, and many more gems I couldn't name adorned his neck, wrists, hands and ankles. He wore only a simple kilt, but the linen itself was woven in with strands of gold, sparkling in the bright sun.

The servant announced me, politely interrupting with a small cough. Tutankhamun raised an eyebrow at my name, and a smirk twitched on his mouth. So he remembered me.

Tahirah-jendyi has come to deliver a message to the Royal Chancellor, from Khasekhemwy. Please excuse our interruption, nisu. The servant bowed, nodded to me, and left quietly.

Ah, welcome. What message have you brought me? The Chancellor, Ay, asked, motioning for me to come closer. I handed him the scroll, and bowed.

Are you always lurking about the palace? Tutankhamun asked me, amused.

Eh, no, not always. Your Highness. I said. I tried to smile, but I don't think it worked very well.

If you'll excuse me, Highness, there is something I must take care of. Ay said, bowing slightly. Tutankhamun nodded, and the Chancellor left.

The Pharaoh walked over to me. I've never heard of a lady by the name of Tahirah-jendyi. What's your father's name?

Oh! Um, I'm not a noble, Your Highness. My father is an artisan working on the palace. I kept my eyes on the ground, wishing for the first time in my life that I was a noble. If only so I wouldn't be so uncomfortable.

Ah. Forgive me. He eyed my clothing, what little there was. I take it that is not your usual attire?

I cursed my sense of modesty. Leigh should've been the one born in Egypt, and I in the future. Not only has she no modesty, I'm quite sure she'd have no qualms walking into her high school without a shirt. Whereas I take any opportunity to cover as much skin as possible. Now, Leigh isn't a-what's the word? ah, a slut, but she does seem to have developed a more ancient version of modesty.

And my dancing outfit definitely is not what I would've chosen to wear in front of the Pharaoh. I was essentially naked, other than a beaded belt and the linen blanket Abasi leant me.

Blushing, I replied, No it's not. I just finished dancing and didn't have time to change. Your Highness. I almost forgot that part.

You dance?

No, I don't dance. I was finished dancing and wear an outfit for it, but I don't dance. Really.

You're not very talkative, are you?

I didn't know how to respond. Your Highness-

I was cut off by a very familiar sound. A meow. Before I knew what was happening, ten or so cats circled my feet, meowing and purring. They were beautiful, perfectly groomed and cared for, and their heads were held high. Gold and jeweled collars circled their necks. I smiled, a genuine smile, the first one in Tutankhamun's presence.

Hey, miu! How are you? I knelt in the middle of them, scratching between as many ears as I could reach. They purred contentedly, rubbing against my legs and arms. I laughed as one jumped in my lap, licking my hands.

The gods must like you. Those are my own personal cats, and don't take a liking to very many people. The Pharaoh crouched on the ground beside me, reaching scratch the kitten in my lap. More cats surrounded him, leaping up to brush against his arms. He laughed and turned his attention to them.

I just have a gift with animals. I said, giggling as the kitten continued licking my hands. It tickled in a weird way, not really tickling, but feeling like it should. I was in shock; I was sitting on the floor of the palace, with the Pharaoh, petting his cats.

Neema would be so jealous. Leigh would be too.

I couldn't help but grin.

Tutankhamun asked, his eyebrow raised at me. He does that a lot.

I kept grinning. I know I looked like an absolute idiot, but I didn't care.

He glanced at me in amusement, a lazy grin on his lips. His warm eyes looked amber in the setting sun, and they too seemed to be smiling at me. So does everyone call you by your full name or do you have nicknames?

I started at the sound of his voice. Well, most people call me Tahi. No one but my brother calls me by my full name, thank the gods.

I nodded.

He pretended to stroke his chin in thought. I like Taj better.

Taj?! That's new.

I really need to learn to keep my mouth shut. Unfortunately, I never do. So what should I call you? Do you have any nicknames? Nebkheperure Tutankhamun is a mouth-full.

The eyebrow went up again. He stifled a small laugh. I don't know. You'll have to think of one. No one's ever suggested calling me by a nickname.

I suddenly remembered who exactly I was with. The Pharaoh. As in, not someone you call by anything other than Your Highness' or something. But I already had one foot in the grave-so to speak-so I shrugged. How about Tankh?

He smirked, and nodded once. Very royal looking.

The light got dimmer, taking on an orange and purple hue. I noticed it had gotten late, and my family was no doubt worrying where I had disappeared to. Not wanting to leave, but having my stomach harshly remind me I hadn't eaten since breakfast, I reluctantly lifted the kitten out of my lap and stood.

Tankh gazed up at me in question.

I have to go home. My family will worry. I explained.

He nodded, and rose to his feet. Well then I supposed I'll see you again soon. We seem to have a habit of running into each other.

I nodded, somewhat sheepishly, and walked away.

Of course I should've taken into account the fact that I did not know my way around the palace, despite how much time I spend there. I didn't though, and found myself back where I started, staring at the Pharaoh embarassed. Running a hand nervously through my hair, I grinned.

I forgot that I have no idea where I'm going. How do you get out of here?

Tankh laughed at me, his shoulders shaking in a very regal way. Finally getting himself under control, he coughed lightly into his hand and smirked. Well, how about I show you?

So that's how I ended up being escorted out of the palace, by the Pharaoh himself. No way in hell was anyone going to believe me.

Except Leigh, of course.
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