Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Memories of Shadow and Light ❯ Chapter 14 ( Chapter 14 )

A.N. So it's the start of chapter 14. Thank you to all of you who are still following this fic even after all of my long breaks and the grammatical errors—not to mention the historical blunders^-^--It's the chapter you've all been waiting for… well kind of… The beginning of the end. I think I might cry. Anyway, I hope the story comes together the way you all hoped it would in these last four chapters. If there are a few things (such as plot holes) that you would like me to fix after the chapters are finished, just drop a line ad I'll fix them up. ^-^ Enough with my babble already! Enjoy your chapter!

 

 

Chapter Fourteen

 

The doorbell chimed brightly as the small group of middle-schoolers left the Kame game shop, their voices light and excited with the new things they'd bought. It brought a soft contentment to the old heart of his as he watched the young children. They were so innocent yet, blissfully unaware of the hardships life could bring, but strong enough with vibrant life that they would conquer the hardships that stared back at them and dared them to walk on. Yes, these children would create miracles in their time.

The creak of the worn stairs that led up into the house, told him of his company, and Sugoroku hummed to himself, picking up a rag and wiping down the counter so as to appear busy. After all, his lie had brought the young man down in the first place, if he wanted to keep Yami from wallowing in his self-pity he'd need to keep the lie up.

“Finally a break in the rush. Feels nice, have a chance to breath.” Sugoroku paused purposefully, waiting for some response from the being inhabiting his grandson's body.

There was a tense uneasiness, and Sugoroku could hear the shuffling sounds as Yami shifted. He's so stubborn… How ever did Yugi deal with him? Sugoroku thought with mild humor. He wasn't as clueless as he let on most of the time. He knew how it was that Yugi kept the once pharaoh in line. He could see it in Yami's eyes and his actions, not to mention he'd heard both secrets from Anzu and Jou. Being a surrogate parent for all those kids had its pluses: he was never out of the loop. I guess I should be a little more concerned with the apparent sexual preference of my grandson's partner… Sugoroku thought to himself, recalling Honda's disgust with the issue. Even if homosexuality was more openly excepted in their country than in the others around the world, that didn't mean it was embraced. Many still frowned on the issue, and the hate for such things was still high. It was one thing to talk about it, and create make-believe stories and characters with homo-sexual tendencies, it was quite another for real people to express the same tendencies. …Poor Honda, he's going to have a tough time with the times. Love isn't something you can pick and choose, it chooses you, and once it's got you there's no escaping it.

“Uh… I owe you an apology, Mouto-san.” Yami spoke from the bottom of the stairs. Sugoroku looked up, somewhat pleased that Yami had taken the time to dress himself before coming down the stairs. He's in better condition than I thought. This might just work after all…

“I… I have been… neglecting the trust I should have placed in Yugi… in all of our friends, actually.” Yami sounded rather disgusted with himself as he ran a hand through his hair, the wild spikes pushing back and slipping forward into the air with an unearthly grace.

“Panicking is only natural when ones loved-one goes missing.” Sugoroku stated blankly, scrubbing at the countertop as those crimson eyes shot up in a fearful shock. He pretended not to notice Yami's reaction. It was better to let him decide what that comment meant on his own. “But, there is only so much worry and panic can do for you and your loved one. Sometimes, you need to just place your faith in them, and stay strong, because if they are hurt when they return, they will need you to be as normal as before: for their sanity and their heart.”

The spirit of the puzzle was looking at his feet, his eyes contemplative, and for the first time in months, his eyes were clear and held a purposeful gleam. That's right pharaoh, come back to us all. Yugi's going to need your strength more than ever now. You are the one he's counting on to keep his world intact. It's time to start doing that.

The bell rang again, and from the sudden gasps Sugoroku knew his invitations had been accepted. “Well, hello Jonouchi, Anzu, and Honda.” Sugoroku greeted with his usual grin. Jonouchi managed a lopsided smile, his greeting as warm as Sugoroku's had been.

“Hey Gramps, you said you needed some help. Is Yams that bad at watching the shop?”

“Jonouchi!” Anzu chided, elbowing him in the side sharply; her first reaction since walking into the room. When Jonouchi complained, dancing out of the way, as he would have before the accident, the wounded, glass-like image that Anzu carried healed just the slightest, allowing her to roll her eyes ad snort. “You shouldn't be so rude. But, why did you call us out here if you had Yami to help?” Anzu asked, now curious herself. She looked over at Yami, both hopeful and afraid of what she'd find, but it seemed the Pharaoh had yet to regain consciousness from the groups sudden entrance.

Honda snorted and turned away with an angered glare. It seemed he wasn't ready to forgive just yet, but the fact he had not stormed away yet was a good sign.

“Well, actually I called you here to help me restock the back. It's a big job and I have a meeting with Yoshimori.” This brought everyone's attention around to him, even Honda's.

“… has he…?” Yami's question trailed off and seemed to reflect the other's thoughts.

“No, he's as stumped as he was when all of this began.” Sugoroku said sadly when the kids slumped back into the sorry self-pitying moods they'd had before arriving. “But Arthur is flying out, seems to think he can help, and Rebecca is going to need some company, and we all know how much she loves Yami…” Sugoroku looked at the spirit hoping his jibe would help and not inflict more pain.

Yami seemed to fall back into himself, and just as Sugoroku was loosing hope, Jonouchi snickered.

“Yeah, if we leave her alone with him, she might just put him through electric-shock therapy or something.” This comment brought a small laugh to Anzu's features.

“Jou's got a point.” Anzu beamed, the image of her former-self glowing just below the pain in her eyes. “I guess I'll have to stay to keep Rebecca from frying both of you.”

“Huh, what the hell's that supposed to mean, Anzu?” Jonouchi retaliated.

“You wouldn't understand her. She's a girl in love, and she has almost as much computer skills as Kaiba. She'd have you chained outside before nightfall.”

“What?!”

Yami's chuckle was unexpected, and drew the attention from the brewing fight to him. “Well, put it that way, and it looks like I could use all the help I can get.”

“Yami.” Anzu's voice was soft and happy. Seemed his strong smile was affecting everyone's mood, as Sugoroku had suspected.

“You're just now realizing this? Damn, your just lucky Gramps thought ahead.” Jonouchi boasted, clapping Yami on the shoulder and jostling the spirit forward a bit. “We got to stick together against the female insanity.”

“Want to say that again Jonouchi?”

“Eh-heh…”

“Guess I might as well stay too.” Honda's statement was a bit of a shock. Sugoroku had half expected the boy to turn around a leave. Seems I misjudged his strength.

“Honda…” Yami's voice seemed to anger the brunette, and he shot the other a sharp glare, but Yami seemed to expect the look and excepted it, his face smoothing over into a passive look. “Thank you, you're help would be appreciated.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Honda griped, walking passed the group and into the back room. “Now, what needs to be done?”

The burnt bridges seemed to be repairing slightly. It would be a slow process and Sugoroku doubted that Honda and Yami would ever be able to fully repair the broken relationship between them, but it was an improvement. “Well, the boxes marked DM are Duel monster cards and need to be placed in the proper locations. They always seem to run out first, and tomorrow is that big city competition, so I get the feeling I'm going to need those set up first. I also need—“ Sugoroku lead the group into the back room, listing off the needs of his shop, not really hearing his instructions himself. It was nice to see the kids working together again. It had been far too long a time since he'd seen them do anything but sulk. Arthur had been right again, Sugoroku was glad he'd called him.

“Well then, I'll leave you kids back here, I'm going to man the front, if you have any questions just come ask.” The chorus of `okays' was a pleasant sound to his ears, and he turned confidently towards the shop door when his arm was caught by Yami.

The once pharaoh met his gaze with a steady acceptance that had won Sugoroku's respect when he'd first met him. “Is there some thing you need, Yami?”

“No, I just…” A sigh. “Thank you, Mouto-san.”

“You are welcome.”

 

^^^^

 

The halls were dark, lit only by the valiant flickering of the torchlight upon the stone flooring and walls. The wind carried the stench of fear and death when it managed to sweep through the breeze way at all, and left a stale nothingness in its too often absence.

Yugi wondered what time it was, missing the heat the day used to give off. Now a thick cloak of black clouds covered the sky keeping the light of day hidden from view as the dark shadows wove through the world striking out with garish lightening, and crying out with angered thunder, but tears of rain had yet to fall. It disturbed Yugi more than the sudden fear and weariness that seemed to engulf the palace and all of Khemet. So, this is what happens when the shadow realm is allowed to run free… no wonder Yami chose to sacrifice himself for his people. Yugi shivered, uncomfortable with the dark brush of power that pulse around him. It was less intense than being in the shadow realm, but the closeness of the dark power still unnerved him.

What's going to happen if we can't defeat Exodia? Yugi wondered as he quickened his pace down the halls, his feet making a silent slapping sound on the stone floor, his arms full with the scrolls Jonoh had given him to give to the Pharaoh. Seth had locked himself away in his room after the interrogation of the Romans, and had refused to come out until he had a solution. I guess I'd hide too if my favorite shadow monster had been beaten to near death… poor Blue Eyes, I don't think I ever wished to see Kaiba beat anything with his favorite card as much as then. Yugi thought still trembling at the memory.

Just after the quake, Atemu and Seth had run out of the palace to—where Yugi could only guess—the place where Exodia was supposed to be sealed. From what he could gather, a rather short battle had ensued in which the Blue Eyes White Dragon, and the Sky God Sypher had been destroyed within minutes, along with the village the battle had been nearest to.

Both the Pharaoh and the high Priest returned rather beaten and shame faced where they'd marched straight in the holding cells where the idiots responsible for such madness were being held.

 

Yugi had managed to convince Mahado to let him wait in the entry hall for Atemu's return when the doors were thrown open as both men entered. Yugi's heart tightened painfully in his chest at the sight of his other. Atemu was covered in dust and there were several deep scraps across his face and arms. The once regal cape was now in tatters and was fraying badly near the bottom. Yugi stifled a gasp, his hands balling up just beneath his chin.

Jonoh ran past him on his right from where he'd been guarding the room, and it broke Yugi from his momentary status. “Atemu!” Yugi cried out, stumbling up to the man, his hands reaching up and cupping his face gently, gauging the severity of his wounds with his eyes.

It wasn't that bad.

Muted ruby flickered to his concerned eyes, and Yugi felt his very soul ache at the pain and fear that was in that usually strong and stable gaze. The battle had not been won, and the living god had no idea on how to save his people.

For a moment Yugi was lost, unsure of how to react, or how to comfort Atemu, and just stood there holding the other's face in a tender grasp. The angled eyes, outlined in kohl, changed slightly as he tried to hide his feelings behind that stoic mask of responsibility and pride, and that was when Yugi regained control of himself.

It was his turn to care for Atemu. It was time he acted like the pharaoh's ari: like Yami's aibou.

“Let's get you cleaned up. We have a lot to plan out and consider and you need to be in top condition to do so.” Yugi stated in a soft, but very commanding voice. Atemu blinked at him, almost as though he was surprised at Yugi's strength, but the look didn't last long, replaced quickly with gratitude.

“I'm fine.” Atemu said, his hands lifting to encase Yugi's wrist in a hand much larger and warmer than his. He kept his hand there a moment in a gentle caress that expressed his feelings before that hand forced Yugi to release him.

“Jonoh, I need to speak to the prisoners.” Atemu commanded in the same cold voice Yugi remembered hearing on his first arrival to the palace. It made him shiver, memory stinging his eyes. It seemed like years ago that he'd thrown himself into Atemu's lap, sobbing and afraid, when in actuality it had only been three to four months.

To think we've come so far in so short a time…

Jonoh—who's hands where imitating Yugi's upon Seth's equally wounded face, his golden eyes filled with a kind worry Yugi had not expected to see on the guard, and definitely no toward the high priest—barely gave the pharaoh a glance as he nodded his head slightly, eyes continuing to bore into Seth's. “Of course, pr-aA.” Jonoh replied, only releasing Seth's face when the stoic man had inclined his face into the caress just barely in reassurance.

For a moment Yugi thought his jaw might fall off. It's not really Jou and Kaiba… but… Yugi `s smirk died unborn as Atemu swept past him following the now normal Seth and Jonoh.

“Ah!” Yugi breathed trotting up to Atemu's side.

“Stay here, Yugi.” Atemu commanded yet again, his voice sounding more tired than before. He would have obeyed, and almost did, had he not decided on his own to act the part of his title.

“No.” Yugi' voice rang out sounding somehow different to his own ears, and the group halted mid step to look at him in ranging looks of incredulity, apprehension, and annoyance. Yugi pointedly ignored Seth.

“This is not a request, Yugi…”

“I don't care if you're commanding me, this battle and problem concerns me as well. I will stay by your side to hear the answers of those who caused this mess.” Yugi left no opening for argue, his eyes staring Atemu down as he'd done to save Jonoh's life.

Atemu looked away, too tired to fight. He didn't say a word as Jonoh continued to lead the way back into the underbelly of the palace.

Yugi realized then why it was Atemu had tried to make him stay behind, when he walked back through the nearly pitch halls of the prison he'd been in not so long before. Yugi swallowed, a little disturbed at being back there. The mental scars acting up to the familiar smells and sounds, but Yugi forced the panic back. At some point, Atemu had reached out, his fingers curling around Yugi's hand, and Yugi was grateful for the stability he gave.

“Ah, so the pharaoh comes to visit his guests. Tell me, how are you doing these days?” Pragus's slimy voice echoed fro one of the darker shadows in the stone and steel room. It caused Yugi's heart to flutter fearfully against his chest, but that was all. He knew that the room also held other occupants, he could sense them, but it was too dark to see who it was. “What's the matter, having trouble controlling your own power?”

Atemu tensed by his side, and Yugi heard a distinct growl coming from Jonoh's vicinity. “So, it was your doing that awoke Exodia.” Atemu concluded coldly, and was met with maniacal laughter.

“Oh, you just figured that out? The old Cesar gave you and your empire too much credit indeed if you can not even control one simple monster.” Pragus taunted from the safety of his cage. Yugi wished for a moment he could throw the man into the chaos that Atemu had just escaped from, but his conscience quickly retuned to destroy him for thinking such cruel thoughts, even if the man deserved it.

“Who was stupid enough to unleash Exodia for you? I know none of your men possess the power to awaken him.” Atemu was sounding almost unstable, and Yugi squeezed his hand hoping to help him; it seemed to have no affect.

“Why should I tell you? Perhaps he's still out there, and he may just destroy you yet. I'd rather die and have you join me in hell, than live and watch your empire survive this.”

Silence echoed in the room for several long moments before Atemu turned and stalked out of the room. Yugi followed wondering what Atemu was planning to do as the Roman's taunts followed them from the room.

“Give your lovely slave my regards. You may wish to try him out before you die, would be such a waste to let him die a virgin…”

“Son of a—“

“Jonoh.” Seth, amazingly was the one to stop the guard from possibly beating the man into silence. “Don't be stupid.”

The head of the guard made no sound, brooding as they left the cells. Seth turned down another hall, his face a dark mask of false confidence. “I'll gather the rest of the high priests, and bring priest Akhennaden in to find out who it was that aided in this catastrophe. I'm sure the millennium eye will be of great aid to us now.”

Millennium eye? Yugi thought, turning to watch as Seth walked away.

“Bring Isis too, I would like her to see if our future has already been decided.” Atemu's voice sounded tired, and hopeless. Yugi looked toward his other but Atemu was turned away from him and was already walking toward his study.

 

That had been nearly two weeks ago, and thought Bakura had been named the foolish mortal who'd raised Exodia—and had been punished justly for it. Though how one took control of a soul was beyond Yugi, he had a good idea just what that punishment was—there was no end in sight for the battle.

Who would have thought that Exodia would be such an evil card. Yugi thought to himself, sifting the weight of the scrolls a little more, getting a better grip on them before continuing his search for Atemu. It seemed that was all he ever did anymore: Search for Yami's memory, search to find his soul, search for the blank and missing pieces of memory, search for the missing partner, look for the Pharaoh, bring him to the meeting, take these scrolls of allegiances to Atemu.

Yugi's breath of air blew his bangs up and off his face for a minute. I wish Anuksu was still around… at least then I'd have someone to try and lift my mood. But, I guess Iba's sick sister is a little more important.

Since Exodia's escape, the sun had refused to rise and the chill night progressed through the day causing sickness to spread rapidly. Anuksu had left the palace not long after when a fellow dancer, Iba, had received word that her family had fallen ill, and her sister was not expected to survive. Yugi hoped the word was wrong, too many had already died, what with Exodia's destruction.

It seemed impossible for one shadow monster to be able to wipe out an entire village in a day, but it seemed that Yugi had greatly underestimated the darkness of the shadows.

To think, the shadows were created just as doom had been… and the shadow monsters the evil that resides in souls. Yugi thought, remembering the brief lesson Jonoh had given him when Atemu had locked himself in his private room.

 

“Exodia is the evil soul of a man whose name had been erased long ago.” Jonoh said, his voice sounding clipped. “He was also one of the first to be sealed away, but it cost our dear pr-aA his life.”

“…pr-aA?” Yugi asked, a little worried, and glanced toward the door behind the throne nervously.

“Yes, pr-aA Akhenamkhanen. He was pr-aA Atemu's father.” Jonoh said with a regret filled voice. “I do not know who it was who originally sealed Exodia away, but some time ago there was an influx in the shadows, that Akhenamkhanen could not suppress, so in the end, he undertook a ritual of sacrifice at the gate to Apep's temple: Exodia's resting place.”

Yugi looked back over his shoulder again, a new pain and understanding flooding him. He knew the pain of loosing a father, and sympathized with Atemu. “Does he know?”

“Yes, and no. He knows his father died for Khemet, but he does not know that his soul is not at rest.” Jonoh answered rather sadly.

“Then how do you…?”

“Seth.”

“Oh.”

Neither said much after that. Just listened to the worried cries that echoed from the outside. Atemu's speech to his people had not gone well. He'd warned them all to remain inside, that the shadows who were loyal would be guarding the streets until a solution was reached. That seemed to only further frighten the people, but there was not much else that could be done.

“Do you know what it was Exodia had done while alive?” Yugi asked after some time. Jonoh looked at him funny for several minutes before seeming to understand Yugi's question.

“The man who Exodia was expelled from has been forgotten. No one is sure anymore, but with the strength of his evil… it must have been an act against the gods themselves.”

 

The study was empty, so was the throne room. There was only one other option that Yugi knew of aside from the gardens. He hoped Atemu was there and not outside. Yugi had seen the maps, and understood enough of Atemu's conversation to know that Exodia's tomb was in reality only a day's ride from the palace. That wasn't a very reassuring thought when the safety of a loved one was at stake.

The halls echoed eerily with the sound of distant thunder, and glowed brightly with a sharp flash of lightening, but still no rain fell. It wouldn't be so scary if there was rain. I could pretend it was nothing more than a storm if there was only some rain. Yugi's desperate thoughts helped to calm him a little as he passed into the hall where Atemu's rooms were.

The door was partially ajar as he approached, and Yugi wondered if he'd just missed him. Peeking in through the opening, Yugi found the room to be occupied. With a slow sigh of relief, Yugi nudged the door open and slipped in.

The room was a mess, papyrus scattered around the bed chamber like poor wallpaper, the bed was a mess from that morning. Yugi sighed remembering how the morning had started.

 

The warm security of the arms was a balm to his nerves. At least here under the soft blankets, with the warm, smooth, skin against his own, strong and stable around his waist, he was safe. There was no impending war outside the gossamer curtains, and the man who held him close was not falling apart at the seams.

Yugi let his eyes drift open slowly, looking over the expanse of golden skin that covered the chest he rested upon, listening to the steady beat of that treasured heart. Atemu had fallen into bed that night, exhausted and weary. He'd even skipped bathing and Yugi had had to remove his golden attire as Atemu had already fallen into a light doze.

Yugi reached up, careful not to wake the slumbering man, and pushed his fingers through the soft hair. Asleep he looked peaceful, almost childlike in his youth. It was like looking at his Yami. Yugi smiled sadly, placing a tender kiss to Atemu's shoulder and snuggled close, breathing him in. The smell of the desert breeze assaulted his senses, and relaxed him. Yes, here everything was perfect. Everything was…

The door crashed open and jostled Atemu awake abruptly. Yugi felt his jump and the muscles tense. He seemed confused by the weight on his chest, as he had every morning since Yugi had began sleeping by his side, but he quickly relaxed, his arms embracing Yugi gently in a brief greeting that was all too short for Yugi.

“Mahado, what has happened?”

“Exodia's moved again.”

Yugi felt tension in that body he held, and bit his lip wishing it away.

“What area?” Atemu asked, already aware that it was too late. Mahado answered in a muted voice that Yugi blocked out by listening to the painful throb of his lovers heart, and then he was pulling way and gone, leaving Yugi to trail after.

 

Yugi sighed and dropped the scrolls in the nearest open space, and moved to make the bed. Atemu had yet to move from his place on the balcony. Yugi could see his position from the bed, and tried to stifle the hurt he felt at seeing such a strong man look so defeated.

Atemu's head was angled down, braced by his hands, he'd removed his cloak and jewelry leaving him in his white night wrap, held in place by his colored belt wrapped around his waist. He was barefoot, and the gold bands had been removed leaving him looking fragile against the black backdrop of the city.

“Seth wanted me to bring you the lists of the other empires most likely to help.” Yugi said, settling the sheets and fluffing the pillows. Atemu remained silent behind the shifting curtains. Yugi paused in the bed making, letting one of the pillows drop to the center of the bed with a soft sound. He didn't like the silence, it was worse than anything else Yugi could think of. Even the wind that came in through the balcony was quiet, like the soft whisper of death. It unnerved Yugi and made his skin crawl. I used to think he night was scary… I guess fear of the dark really is childish. It's the dark shadows that are the real meaning of fear. Yugi had the absurd image of himself jumping at his shadow on the streets of downtown domino, and shook his head to dispel it.

The wind was stale on his face as he walked out and beside Atemu. It tangled his hair and skimmed his skin in a breathless caress. Down below he could see dim points of light from the torches the guards had set through out the city for the people, the shadows had all but muted them out. Walking the streets, like intimidating curfew cops, were several shadow monsters. Yugi recognized several as being loyal to the crown. Syfer and Blue Eyes were not among them.

“The people are becoming restless with their fear, as well they should be.” Atemu stated, his voice sounding painfully hallow. “Their god can do nothing to help them as this creature stalks the land turning entire villages into dust at his passage.”

Yugi wasn't sure what to say to that. It was true, they both knew it, but still Yugi wanted to cheer him up. Yet he knew words like, `it's not your fault,” or `It'll be okay,' would only make things worse. He chewed on his lower lip, watching the never ending darkness with sad eyes. He'd never wished to go home more than he did at that moment. It was running away yes, but he couldn't help it. It was that irrational: `if I close my eyes I'll wake up back in my room with nothing wrong, and this war will be nothing more than a nightmare, and all this pressure, guilt and horror will just dissipate into thin air,' thought that plagued his thoughts and haunted his mind as each blackened day began.

Hell, I'd settle for waking up in this time, just so long as this was all over.

“They expected me to protect them…” Atemu was looking out at the ruin his beautiful world had succumbed to, and Yugi wanted to reach over and cover those expressive eyes, to just block out all the bad from his expressive ruby eyes, but just like with Doom, he knew he couldn't. This was Atemu's battle, Yugi couldn't just will it away.

“You know, the world seems to continue on this never ending cycle of pain, and that pain just builds and builds until the world can no longer handle it. Then this hero emerges and pays the ultimate price just to relieve the world from this nightmare it created itself.”

Atemu's face had scrunched up in contemplation to his statement, and Yugi sighed deeply, leaning on the stone railing and looking up into the black clouds as though looking for stars. “Yami had to face the embodiment of that pain not too long ago. It was called Doom, and this man named Dartz was behind it all.” Yugi began, his eyes tracing the clouds to keep himself steady. Some of those memories were still to painful to face yet. “He wanted to destroy the world I guess, and so he began dueling with this card called the “Oracle Curse,” any player who initiated this card increased his power by drawing out all the evil and darkness in his heart.”

Atemu looked up then, his eyes concerned and confused. Yugi knew he'd only briefly mentioned the subject of duel monsters to him, but he seemed to understand that part, but Yugi was certain it was the subject of the card that had him alarmed.

“Sounds stupid and worthless, but it almost worked. In fact, in one battle Yami even fell victim to this card.” Yugi said with a sad look.

Atemu stood up straighter, his look insulted and angered, but he said nothing, waiting for Yugi to continue. At least he's distracted from his own problems right now… Yugi thought with a rueful smile.

“It was the only option he had at the time. That and he had something to prove. You see, when this card is played, whoever loses the battle also loses their soul. Yami and I both agreed not to play it, until our opponent started calling Yami evil, and too afraid to face his own darkness.

“Yami, fell for it and used the card. It separated our minds and he made several bad mistakes, the darkness that he contained clouding his thoughts.” Yugi spoke quietly, but rounded on Atemu quickly, catching the self-depreciating look in his eyes and realized that Atemu was only aware of the fact that this was what he would one-day do. “But, it wasn't his fault! I mean he was locked away in the shadow realm for three thousand years, he was also you before that. A ruler, one who takes the pain of an entire nation onto himself, so of course the darkness in his heart would be greater than most. And to top it all off, he still had no memory of this time, meaning he had no real way of controlling the darkness.” Yugi looked away again, his hand fisting on the rough stone. “Anyway, he lost, and he was going to lose his soul, he was just standing there waiting for it. Shocked and angry with himself for it, and I realized that he was the only one who could possibly save the world.”

“Yugi…” Atemu's voice was airy, and Yugi's grip slackened. He already knew what was coming next, and was trying to deny it.

“It only needed one of us…” There was a curse from Atemu and Yugi didn't have the heart to look at him. “I feel like I betrayed him then. I mean I left him all alone to face every one of his insecurities and fears, but I really had no other choice, and you know what?” Yugi said, with a bright smile, facing the pharaoh of Khemet.

Atemu inclined his head in question, and Yugi beamed back, hoping that this might console him even if only a little.

“He won, just like I thought he would. It looked hopeless, but so long as there are people, there is hope, and hope is what keeps life going. I mean, Yami took all the evil of the world into his own heart in the end there… and I wasn't even allowed to help him… but he did it, and he's fine. He can over come anything…” Yugi said more to himself then anything else, and didn't see the jealous look that crossed Atemu's face. “If he could do it then, its only because you did it here and now.” Yugi tried to reassure, and laughed a bit to break the stagnate silence. “Even if he does have some reoccurring amnesia on several things. I mean he never once said anything about meeting me in his—“

The sudden, crushing kiss startled Yugi silent as Atemu's hands suddenly grabbed his upper arms, his fingers biting into his skin painfully, and he was backed up roughly against the railing, demanding lips forcing his to part as a greedy tongue swept in to claim his mouth.

“ntk nt wi.” Atemu breathed against Yugi's lips, as he pulled back for breath before resealing his lips to Yugi's this time a little more coaxing. Atemu's hand had risen up to the back of Yugi's head, his fingers curling into his hair to keep him still. Yugi's eyes widened, and he trembled, but from fear or excitement, Yugi wasn't certain.

Teeth nipped on his lips dragging one between his own to suckle on it. The tip of his tongue tracing the soft skin and soothing Yugi into his attention. Yugi's eyes slid lazily closed at the passionate kiss, his fingers resting questioningly against Atemu's chest. They had kissed several times before since the night he'd come to terms with his feelings, but not since the bath incident had Atemu acted to demanding. The forcefulness made Yugi's toes curl, while at the same time made him worry.

What made him snap? Why is he acting like this?

Atemu's breath was hot as he exhaled through his nose, pressing closer, one leg slipping between Yugi's own, trapping Yugi to the railing. Yugi grunted, as the sandstone bit into his skin harshly, and slowly Atemu seemed to come out of his daze.

“… Yugi… I…” Atemu pulled away, his eyes narrowed in distaste as he retreated back to the railing, avoiding eye contact with Yugi all together. “I did not mean to startle you… I was… out of line.”

Yugi blinked, still slumped against the railing, his lips tingling from those bruising kisses, taking in the guilty form of the pharaoh. He really hasn't changed at all. Well, Yami can at least apologize now… but, he still is Atemu in many ways. A slow warmth started to build in Yugi's chest as his thoughts came together, making sense for the second time since his arrival. Yami is Atemu, and Atemu is Yami. I love who he will become, just as I love who he was… huh, I really am stupid, aren't I Anuksu? I was so willing to admit that you and Anzu were nearly the same… but I had to split the person I love into two pieces. The future and the past…I really am a fool…

Atemu's brow was creased again with his worries, and his fingers bit into the railing harshly. His face was lined with stress, and his form was weary, he needed comfort now more than anything. Yugi blushed, and swallowed back his apprehension.

Could he do this? Was he strong enough to take this step that had plagued him since before his arrival? Atemu sighed and lowered his head. Yes, he could do this, and he would.

Atemu jerked slightly at Yugi's tender touch, and looked down at him startled. “Yugi… what is—“

“wi mr ntk, p3y-i pr-Aa.” Yugi whispered, his breath brushing and pushing against Atemu's own exhalation, and watched as those dark crimson eyes widened in understanding. Yugi smiled, unbelievably calm in having admitting his feelings aloud. He'd always thought confessing would be infinitely embarrassing to him, but it seemed that wasn't true. “…mr wi? S-htp, Atemu, mr wi.” Yugi's heart fluttered in his ears and the anxiousness swelled in his throat, as he wondered just how Atemu would respond. It wasn't exactly fear that he felt, he believed in Atemu, in Yami, too much to fear rejection, it was more like the tension one feels when waiting for one to return home and say, “I'm home” after having been gone fore years.

Atemu's eyes seemed to burn with an emotion Yugi had seen only twice and it burnt him pleasantly down to his toes. With out waiting for Atemu's consent, Yugi leaned forward, standing up on his tiptoes, his fingers gliding up Atemu's chest feeling that carmled skin under his palms, and pressed his lips imploringly upon Atemu's own.

“Love me… please…” Yugi purred, as his lips pressed to Atemu in an innocent kiss that begged to be shown passion. Atemu barely reacted at first, his hands rising to his waist, as if expecting some trap, but when Yugi only sighed at the contact, Atemu yanked that soft body flush to his own, his lips turning greedy once more, and Yugi let himself fall placid in those arms. Atemu's kiss was tainted with a bitter sadness that Yugi wished he could erase, and maybe he could. He urged the kiss to deepen, fingers curling against Atemu's shoulders and drawing him closer still. Don't worry so much, we'll think of something… you're world will be saved. Just love me for now… it'll all be okay. Yugi thought a little distantly. Let me take away your pain... please. Yugi knew Atemu couldn't hear his thoughts, not like Yami could, yet it almost seemed he did as his kiss turned a little more heated.

“ntk nt wi…” Atemu breathed into Yugi parted lips, claiming him completely, and Yugi smiled, arms wrapping around Atemu's neck, fingers threading through Atemu's hair.

“Always…” Was his breathy reply, and he was suddenly swept up into strong arms and carried into the fire lit room.

I love you… I love you…

 

^^^^

 

Yugi words burned him from the inside, lighting his desire and pushing all other thoughts from his mind. Yugi had asked him, begged him to make love to him. Atemu's insides shook with the power of his lust, and love.

He'd lifted Yugi into his arms without a second thought as soon as Yugi had allowed him to lay his claim. Yugi was his, he'd said so, and now he was going to lay his claim.

He was careful as he set Yugi down upon the silk sheets of his bed, resting Yugi's head upon the soft pillows, their lips parting from their deep kiss long enough for him to climb above Yugi.

His bangs fell down obscuring his view of Yugi's face if only a little, as the pale slave rested below him, hands curled up around his rounded face, looking so tantalizing, Atemu almost lot it right then and there. This was what he'd been wanting for so long, since Yugi first danced for him, and those thoughts came rushing back to him then.

 

Yugi dressed in that pale dancing costume, writhing beneath him, rolling and arching as he cried out in pleasure, his face flushed with sinful need and begging Atemu to release him from his passionate torment.

 

Those thoughts had kept his body burning long after Yugi's dance had ended, and still warmed his blood as the small light now rested trustingly below him, wanting his physical love, as much he wanted Yugi's soft body.

Looks like I will claim him after all…

Atemu smirked, inwardly gloating over his conquest and mentally taunting his achievement before Pragus's face. He wouldn't soil their encounter by actually doing it, but mentally he ripped the man's ego apart as his hands slipped along the smooth skin of Yugi's chest and sides.

Yugi's skin was unbelievably warm and smooth under his own, and Atemu spent several long moments just caressing that skin he'd been allowed to look at day after day, and recently been able to touch, but this time he worshiped that flesh.

“Let's begin.” Atemu said, eyes half-lidded in pleasure, and enjoyed the tremble that took over Yugi's body. He had always been so sensitive and vocal, this was going to be very enjoyable.

Yugi gasped as Atemu's finger passed over his nipple, and the skin pebbled instantly beneath his curious fingertip. He let his finger skim over he sensitive skin playfully, tracing the lines of his upper torso, in a sense memorizing Yugi's body.

The small indent from the hallow in his throat that ended in his clavicle, only to pick back up as a gentle fuzz, not visible but felt that lead to his small belly button. Yugi squirmed a bit as his fingertip ran over his hip, following the cloth that kept him clothed. He's tender there… Atemu noticed, laying his palms flush to the skin and running them back up, lifting Yugi's arms up to trail the skin there, until his palms were pressed against Yugi's, fingers woven together in a gentle hold.

Yugi had flushed with color again, and Atemu allowed his lips to caress that color. Yugi made a soft pleasing coo at the gentle kiss Atemu placed to his heated cheeks. The kiss was tender, loving and nearly innocent as he skimmed along that pale body, hands slipping from Yugi's—fingertips trailing lines over Yugi's palms and sensitive wrists bringing a delightful tremble from that body—to caress the skin just ahead of his descending lips.

“Ah… please…” Yugi breathed from parted lips, eyes closed in pleasure, and Atemu smirked, parting his lips to lick Yugi's cheek in parting as his fingers once more ghosted over his pale neck leaving room for his mouth to follow.

His insides burned pleasantly at the soft noises Yugi made under him as his kisses met his chin. Yugi arched slightly at the feel, pressing close to Atemu's boy creating delightful tingles over his body. Atemu pressed back, his leg parting Yugi's and pressed against Yugi's need.

Again Yugi made that soft pleased sound and rubbed against Atemu's thigh, at the same time rubbing his own leg against Atemu's own desire. Atemu grunted, mouth opening more as he scrapped Yugi's collarbone with his teeth, tongue soothing the abuse quickly, his hands dropping quickly to Yugi's chest feeling his heart flutter under his hands. Yugi whimpered, arms staying in place beside his head, quaking with his will to keep them there.

Atemu smirked, rising up once more to steal a sweet kiss from Yugi's lips, his fingers pinching the tender, aroused nipples on Yugi's chest pulling moans and squeals from the small figure under him. He delighted in their taste as he swallowed the sounds his mouth muffled, his tongue teasing the edge of Yugi's inner lips, barely grazing his teeth. He pulled back and away as Yugi attempted to control the kiss, his own tongue sweeping out to gain a deeper satisfying kiss. Yugi made a soft whine when he was denied, and Atemu kissed him quickly to pacify that sound, but no more deeply than before.

“Shh, Yugi, my light… akhu…” Atemu breathed into his skin as he sank lower, kissing the soft skin on hi chest in slow lingering caresses, the tip of his tongue taking the time to draw designs on such perfect skin.

“Ah! Ate—nah!” Yugi again arched, his hands wrenching off of the bed to pull alongside his face, as Atemu found yet another tender spot on his ari. He purposefully gave a slower kiss to the skin nearest to his right armpit, and bathed in the noise Yugi made, his feet twitching lightly. Atemu smirked and pulled his leg more firmly against Yugi feeling the stiffness down there and taking pride that it was because of him that the innocent one was so worked up.

The Pharaoh, placed a kiss over Yugi's heart, his fingers trailing down and away from the taunt, red, nipples. He could feel the muscles in Yugi's stomach tense and trembled under his soft strokes, and his body tightened with each little movement. So perfect… Yugi, even your near motionlessness is a dance to my senses… Atemu thought a little delirious from his high. The smell of the distant seas surrounded him in a thick blanket as a light sweat broke out across Yugi's skin, enhancing the musk of the boy.

Atemu groaned, needy, and rolled his hips down and against Yugi's propped leg. A sharp burst of heat sparked in his belly, and he was certain Yugi felt it too as he stiffened, his breath escaping as a high pitched whine.

“So sensitive…” Atemu purred, his left hand leaving Yugi's side in favor of Yugi's free leg. The skin was soft there too, and he smoothed his hand up that leg feeling it tremble as he bypassed the cloth that covered his upper thigh, drawing hieroglyphs there laying claim to that soft untouched flesh.

“Ah… Ah! Oh god…” Yugi whimpered, and Atemu lowered his burning mouth to Yugi's neglected nipple. The dancer shot off the bed sharply. Hands tangling into Atemu's hair, fingernails scraping his scalp as the pale one trembled from the shock. “Kami-sama!”

Atemu froze a moment, not used to such extreme reactions but decided that it pleased him, and he opened his mouth further, suckling on Yugi's chest, his tongue outlining the nub and memorizing the heartbeat that thundered against his lips. Mine… you are all mine, Yugi. I will not give you to anyone, not even the me in the future… Atemu thought, his hand slipping further up Yugi's leg until he felt the hard erection he'd been searching for. His gentle brush sent Yugi into convulsions against him, his body heating more, and sweat flavored the skin, Atemu devoured.

“Ah!” Yugi panted, trembling and shaking from the intense shock. With a gentle push, Atemu easily pressed him back against the sheets pinning him once more, his searching fingers slow and teasing on Yugi's straining flesh. A little nip to Yugi's nipple gave Atemu the freedom of his head as shock left Yugi's grip slack.

“Yugi…” Atemu breathed over Yugi's skin, kissing his soft belly in praise, as Yugi's hips rocked continuously into Atemu's fingers. Inexperience making him adorably alluring, Atemu was pleased that Yugi had not lost himself yet, but from that lap dance he'd been given in the throne room not so long ago, Atemu was sure that, if played right, Yugi could hold out till the end. “Sweet Yugi…” Atemu chuckled, as that belly quivered under his hot breath.

“Uh… Atemu… you… tease, stop… teas—ah!” Yugi moaned again as Atemu decided Yugi was talking too much and sealed his greedy lips over the indentation on Yugi's middle.

Those sweet amethyst eyes bugged open, and a breathy mewl escaped kiss swollen lips. Yugi arched, his head tilting back to a painful angle into the pillows, his fingers latching onto Atemu's shoulders, bit into the skin painfully, but it only made Atemu moan, sending delicious vibrations over Yugi's belly.

Let me own you, Yugi. Let me keep you… Atemu thought his own eyes drifting shut as he assaulting the bellybutton. His tongue sought the edges of the scar, dipping in to play and map the skin there, tasting the lingering tang of salt on his damp skin. Yugi continued to make pleasured sounds, head thrashing from side to side as Atemu slowly tilted his head to different angles, nose and chin pressing into the tender belly as he made love to that small indentation. Yugi seemed to enjoy the attention given to his belly, so Atemu kept his attentative lips there as his hands slowly unknotted Yugi's wrap, removing the cumbersome cloth without much hassle.

Atemu grunted in displeasure as he realized that Yugi's undergarments were going to give him more trouble. Deciding on the easiest method of removing the garments, Atemu left Yugi's belly with a parting nip, sliding his body gratefully, feeling the soft skin cling to his chest as he pushed his other leg between Yugi's, spreading him wide as his lips once more met Yugi's in a gratifying kiss.

Yugi collapsed easily to his lips and it was an easy maneuver to roll Yugi on top, where he attacked the sides of the annoying cloth quickly pulling it down and off of Yugi's hips. The odd fabric scraped the tender skin gently as Atemu pulled it over creamy hips and ivory thighs. Yugi gasped at the sensation, the sound quickly swallowed by Atemu. For a moment, Yugi froze over him as his last undergarment was laying in a pile by his knees, Atemu's hands holding the clothing.

Atemu calmed his kisses turning them gentle and loving. His lips a smooth brush against Yugi's, skin clinging to skin barely sharing the inner taste of the mouth with the other. Yugi sighed and sank easily back into the embrace much to Atemu's relief and aided Atemu in the removal of his undergarments. As soon as the colored cloth was in a heap on his floor, Atemu rolled again pinning a nude Yugi to the bed. He pulled back for breath, and took in the beautiful sight that was before him, laid out so perfectly for him.

Yugi's body tensed beneath his skin, Atemu could see the muscles working, and smiled. “Don't be ashamed, my light. You too are a god if you are a part of my soul.” Atemu purred, nuzzling the side of Yugi's face, placing soft kisses wherever his lips could find purchase.

It was the silken glide of fingers that stalled him long enough for Yugi to move. Yugi moved his mouth up to Atemu's ear, his gliding breath sensitizing the skin as lips kissed the soft spot behind his ear. Atemu groaned, shivering at the sensation. Yugi quickly moved on, following the motions Atemu had made over his own body: fingers tracing the way for his lips to follow.

The scalding burn of Yugi's mouth on his chest nearly undid him, and Atemu quickly clasped the small figure to him, pulling him back into the submissive position, his legs sliding between pale moonlight. His cotton wrap slipped free to pool around them, and it was only then that Atemu noticed Yugi's fingers had moved lower than his lips had had chance to.

“My quick little one… you unsatisfied with my pace?” Atemu taunted, mind pleasantly covered in a passionate haze, all other problems far from it.

Yugi attempted to look bashful, but the small tilt to his lips gave him away. “Well then, I'll have to move more quickly.” Atemu sealed his claim with a hard demanding kiss that trapped Yugi to him. While Yugi was distracted he slipped a hand free dipping his first two fingers into the oil lap beside the bed—the only one not lit—until the slick fluid coated them.

Shifting his head for a deeper kiss, Atemu moved his dry hand to Yugi's member, gently stroking the straining flesh. Yugi moaned, arms tangling around his body, nails dragging over flesh, and hips moving in a rolling motion into Atemu's hand. Content with Yugi's distraction, Atemu moved his other hand down to Yugi's opening.

The first brush went unnoticed. Pleased, Atemu started a slow massaging stroke to the tight ring of muscle, working the oil into the skin, urging it to loosen. Yugi made a sound of discomfort and tried to break the kiss, his head moving to look down. Atemu attempted to keep him occupied, and it worked, Yugi taking joy in pillaging the hot mouth of the pharaoh, but when Atemu attempted to press his fingertip inside, Yugi jerked his mouth away with a startled cry.

“Atemu! Wha—“

“Hush, little one.” Atemu eased the fear away with gentle nips on Yugi's neck. “I don't wish to hurt you, so you need to let me prepare you.”

Yugi made an odd sound to that, and shifted uneasily, his hands curling more surely around is neck, face burying into his neck. Atemu stilled, moving his free arm up from Yugi's manhood to hold Yugi in a hug. “Little one, if you tense this part will hurt.” Or so I've hear from Seth…

“… just… give me a second.” Yugi breathed, holding Atemu closer, and the Pharaoh relaxed, allowing his light to cuddle to him, reasserting himself. Atemu remained quite as Yugi breathed against him. He did not ask if Yugi were certain, ad he would not ask if Yugi had changed his mind. It had been Yugi who had asked for this, and Atemu did not feel like waiting anymore. He had Yugi's consent; he was going to make love to Yugi. Besides the pharaoh asks for nothing, though he still waited a bit for Yugi to adjust.

“I am going to move now.” Atemu warned and was pleased when Yugi only sighed, his body remaining relaxed.

“Kiss me?” Yugi asked, and Atemu smiled, giving Yugi what he wanted. He allowed Yugi to control the kiss, deciding the deepness of the contact, letting him to vent whatever stress he held into their mouths, as he pushed his finger into Yugi's body.

Yugi breath hitched, and the muscles clamped down with such force that it forced Atemu to stop. He shivered at the hot tightness that surrounded his finger, and his body tensed in anticipation of being in there. Yugi's lips faltered so Atemu drew him into a drugging kiss, his free hand drift over Yugi's sides, touching his sensitive places, dragging the pleasure from him. Slowly, Atemu moved his finger in circles easing his body and slowly stretching him. As Yugi relaxed Atemu moved the finger in a little deeper pausing to let his body adjust before moving on. Before long he had two fingers up and inside Yugi's trembling body, scissoring them back and forth.

Yugi was gasping again, his mouth pressed to Atemu's shoulder unable to keep the kisses at the intense new feelings as Atemu touched his prostate every so often. A light sweat glistened on Yugi's skin, matching his own as he removed his fingers from Yugi's entrance.

Yugi arched a little and whimpered, but a swift kiss silenced him. Atemu paused to look down on Yugi, memorizing the flushed features, the love bite that littered his pale skin and felt his insides tense. This was real, finally this was his.

Laying down upon that tiny body—bodies sliding together sweat mingling, hearts beating in unison—Atemu positioned himself at Yugi's entrance. His other hand curled around Yugi's hip sliding over Yugi's thigh to his knee and back up. Slowly he gained Yugi's attention, and those expressive eyes were trained on him.

Without words he warned him, and watched the understanding nod that Yugi gave him as he lay back, arms resting by his head. “Ink n -k.” Yugi breathed, and Atemu groaned pushing himself in.

 

^^^^

 

The pressure was a burning sensation that stung and Yugi bit his lip to keep from crying out. It really wasn't that bad. The fingers had felt weird and the slick feeling up inside him was odd, but after Atemu had started moving it had felt good. So this couldn't be much different.

Atemu hissed, his eyes rolling back up and into his head with pleasure and the look relit the fire in Yugi's stomach. This is just like my dream… Yugi thought distantly, as his body stretched to accommodate each inch of Atemu's member.

It felt huge inside of him, and Yugi swallowed a gasp as Atemu paused pulling out, only to push back in, sliding deeper than before. The movement was nice giving his body time to adjust and it lessened the pain he felt. For a jealous moment Yugi wondered how Atemu had learned that, but soon forgot as Atemu pushed in, his hips resting against Yugi's buttocks, his desire nestled firmly inside Yugi.

“Set srf…” Atemu growled, his whole form quaking with restraint. Yugi felt his heart warm at the action, only able to imagine what Atemu must be feeling, and having the feeling he was every lucky that Atemu was waiting for him.

His own body still thrummed with light pain and heat. His erection had waned a bit at the pain, but his body was still tingling with pleasured shocks and Yugi lifted his hands—that amazingly stayed by his head, though his fingers had cramped from clinging to the bed sheets—and caressed Atemu's cheek, bringing those amazing crimson eyes to his own. “Aishiteru…” Yugi whispered, kissing those lips and moving his hips against Atemu's in a casual roll. The intense sensations sent him falling onto his back with a moan, and caused Atemu to jerk his hips against Yugi, shoving just a little deeper.

“Ah!”

“Hng, akhu…” Atemu's hands gripped onto Yugi's hips with enough force to hurt. Yugi's breath hitched as he lay beneath his lover, body still in a daze as Atemu attempted to keep control and not screw him into the bed, though at the moment Yugi wanted him to do just that. His body was starting to ache from staying so still. Yugi wasn't certain if that was a good or bad thing, but he didn't feel like playing safe.

He squirmed again, and Atemu grunted, pushing him back down. “Hold still…”

“Then move.” Yugi growled back, running his hands down Atemu's sweaty back and placing pressure on his lower back for emphasis. For a moment that seemed all too long for Yugi, Atemu looked down on him in surprise. Then, he smiled, and nodded shoving his hips forward in a grinding motion that sent sparks dancing through Yugi's mind.

“You asked.” Was the only warning Yugi had before Atemu began the motions to undo him: the gentle rocking one body into another.

Silk sheets clung to his damp and heated skin, as warm hands smoothed up and over his sides holding his hips daringly, fingers biting into skin as the hips of the owner of those hands, held pale thin legs spread wide.

Atemu's member was buried deep inside of him, thick and hot, and Yugi was incapable of movement, his mind lost in the heated passion and pleasurable pain that engulfed his body completely. He shook, as the other pressed low against him, sliding out of his tight opening just a little, and Yugi moaned, arching his back and lips moved to claim his sensitized neck.

A bolt of tingling longing ran from the contact point to his skull and then down through his shoulder and back, forcing a whimper of need from him, and the man atop of him smiled, lips skimming over the sweaty flesh, teeth nipping him gently as he moved to whisper into Yugi's ear, his voice husky with lust and desire.

“Beautiful… ari, so tight… antyw akhu biAw… ntk nt wi… nDS mrwt…” The lips brushed by his earlobe, pausing to suckle the skin on the appendage lovingly, moaning as he pressed his tanned body to Yugi's, shifting and pumping gently inside of his body.

Yugi cried out, feeling the friction deep inside, as he was filled by his lover's gentle rocking. His insides stretching to hold the other's large size, and he gasped, eyes opening wide and holding passionate crimson, as the regal face moved to capture his lips, a smooth tongue sliding in to taste him. The body began to move more purposefully now, pulling back so that Yugi could feel the slip of those sweaty hips on his thighs as the member inside of him slipped out. Then, with a sharp jerk, he was sliding in once more, filling Yugi and creating a friction that he desired.

Lips parted and Yugi heard his name, whispered lovingly between them as his lover slammed back into him, causing Yugi's body to bounce slightly.

“Ah!” Yugi cried out, his mind going blank, as that heated mouth moved back to his ear, whispering huskily into it, “Call my name sweet one…”

“pr-aA…”

His lover groaned, pumping into him several times, his hand holding Yugi's hips prisoner in his grip. “No… my name… Yugi… my name…”

“Yami.” Yugi sighed, lovingly starting to tremble at not being free to press himself down onto his moving partner. He felt the body above his own fall back atop of him, the thrusts low and loving.

Yugi was crying out as his prostate was hit each time and he writhed on the bed beneath the man above, and once more the other grunted out his demand, his breath hot on Yugi's ear. “Say my name… akhu…”

Atemu suddenly slammed in hard, and Yugi bucked off the bed, arms and legs twining around the other's form in desperation as he cried into the dark room, the name that his other desired to hear most.

“Atemu!” Yugi's mind went white for a moment as his body was wrapped in new tingling sensations, so close to release but still not close enough. Atemu still moved against him, slow and steady, it drove Yugi mad the pace that the pharaoh set. It felt so good, but Yugi wanted more, he desperately craved the harsh friction that Atemu was currently denying him, and so he tried to move himself upon his lover, angling his hips against that taunt lower belly and attempting to press onto him at a fast clip.

Atemu groaned in his ear, his teeth fastening on Yugi shoulder, biting down gently. Yugi trembled at the feel as those fingers tightened enough to leave bruises on his pale hips.

Yugi smirked, and repeated the action, this time, tensing his body to squeeze Atemu from the inside. “Ah!” Yugi cried, falling lip at the sudden bolt of pure pleasure that coursed through him, radiating straight down t the tips of his toes and fingers. He'd felt every inch of Atemu in that one moment and it was a near overload to his senses. “God… Atemu…” Yugi panted, his heart thundering in his ears, and almost didn't notice as Atemu unbound his arms from around his neck, and his legs from Atemu's waist.

“Wha?” Yugi panted, only to gasp a moment later, as Atemu hitched his legs up so that the crook of his elbows supported the underside of his knees. This forced Atemu in just a little deeper and Yugi cried out, trembling, hands reaching back up to hold Atemu, only to be stopped half way.

Long fingers curled with Yugi's own and forced his hands back down to the sweat dampened silk that rested beside his head. Yugi audibly swallowed, and mewled a little at the feeling of helplessness and utter protection that Atemu gave him in that single act.

“mn. Ir nn StA, Yugi… p3y-i Heba.” Atemu purred, nuzzling the side of Yugi's neck and rolling his hips just enough to be felt. Yugi gasped and whimpered, shaking beneath Atemu. The Pharaoh's pleased smirk, annoyed Yugi a little and he angled his head up to nip the skin on the side of Atemu's neck.

Atemu bucked against him, causing both of them to moan in ecstasy. Atemu's hands tightened around his own, and he gasped for breath against Yugi's ear causing Yugi to tremble with desire.

“Ir nn ir pf m wHm-a.” Atemu warned with a loving nip to Yugi's nose, his eyes shining with mischief, and Yugi pouted, wiggling a little t make Atemu move, but the pharaoh only gave him a look. “mn n wi?”

“ir ntk Sn wi.” Yugi whispered, looking up into crimson eyes with a desperate need. Atemu smiled slowly, his eyes warm and deep, as he leaned close to give Yugi his request.

Lips slowly pressed to his own in a searching imploring kiss that left him floating in contentment. Yugi opened his mouth beneath Atemu's kiss inviting a deeper caress and the living god followed his lead, giving Yugi what he needed while moving in even deeper as the kiss progressed.

When their lips finally parted, wet and swollen, Atemu placed one last chase kiss upon him, his words barely a breath of sound. “N grg.”

Yugi nodded, and relaxed against the sheets, his body still thrumming with desire and unsatisfied need, but that was about to be rectified. “Aishiteru, Atemu.” Yugi whispered just as Atemu shifted within him, loving him at a new, deeper angle, and the burning in his lower stomach rekindled almost instantly.

“Atemu…”

 

^^^^

 

The room had become heated and tense, lust and passion coated the air as the two bodies shifted together, rubbing, feeling, loving. Grunts and breathless moans escaped the parted lips of the two lovers entangled in the sheets.

Atemu was on fire, as his lips caressed the fragile body beneath his own, tasting the skin and sweat that the smaller body gave. A breathless moan was his reward, as his tongue laved over the boy's collar bone, his teeth nipping at the skin lustfully, pressing his lower hips into the soft, tight, heat below him.

He hissed in joy as the one beneath him cried out, arching up and allowing Atemu to sink deeper into his body. “Yess…” He groaned, hands pulling the boy's hips down sinking deeper yet, into the thrashing body of the shivering, and shaking boy. Atemu rolled his hips, loving the way the boy's body tensed, squeezing him tighter, and Yami ran his hands up the sides, brushing over his sweat laden skin.

“Ah!... A… Atemu!” The boy breathed, and he groaned, sinking low to rub his body against the shivering light under him, feeling himself pull out slightly from the boy's opening and moaned at the sensation as the boy arched once more, panting and crying out. He was so sensitive, it made Atemu shiver in pure lust, wanting the boy writhing in pleasure under him until they both came.

He gazed down at the pale face, golden bangs clinging to flushed rounded cheeks, the child's arms sprawled up by his face, now pinned by Atemu's hands, and his eyes tightly shut. He smiled and lay a gentle yet hungry kiss to his love's tender lips, biting on the lower lip as he pulled away, drawing the boy's attention to him. “akhu… look at me… akhu.”

Slowly, amethyst eyes opened, glazed with passion, and Atemu sighed in bliss arching himself deeper into the boy, watching as the boy's head pressed back baring his throat as the boy cried out for him, because of him.

Atemu lovingly kissed at the exposed skin, licking and nipping his way across the child's flesh, feeling the delicate tremors that overtook his body. When he reached his ear, Atemu slipped out of the boy, until only his tip remained buried, and the boy whimpered slightly.

Atemu chuckled, “Do you want something, ari akhu?” The boy nodded his head frantically, arching, trying to draw him back within his body, but he simply backed away a bit, until the boy was crying out for his touch. “How do you ask for something,” Atemu asked kissing the boy's neck sensually in apology to his little game, and received a desperate kiss in return from his small lover.

“Please… onegai… antyw pr-aA!”

Atemu grinned and kissed Yugi's ear, a deep heat spreading through his insides at the pleading note in the boy's voice, and he nipped the lobe of the boy's ear lovingly. “Yes, antyw akhu…” And he slid back into the tight opening with a sharp thrust, grunting at the pleasurable feelings, feeling the boy cry out his name in ecstasy. He pulled out and thrust back in creating a desperate friction that pulsed through his body and echoed on the air from the sensitive boy.

Mind hazy with need, he gripped the Yugi's erection awkwardly from between them, his light's legs propped over his arms, and stroked it in time with his thrusts. Yugi was screaming now, loud and unrestrained, and Atemu nuzzled the underside of his chin with his face and purred as he increased his tempo, pulling and pushing with in the pliable body.

“Ah… I.. can't… uh! No.. no more… I need to… uh!” Yugi panted, unable to bare the intense feelings that pulsed through him. Atemu was filled with masculine pride at his ability to completely overload Yugi's mind with pleasure and grunted, latching onto those crying lips and drawing the breath from him.

“Just little more, Yugi… hold on for me… just… a bit…” His words broke off on a lustful grunt, and Yugi cried out beneath him, his arms shaking in their entrapment.

Atemu released his hole and pulled Yugi's arms up to embrace him, wanting to feel Yugi's desire and need through his hold. Yugi instantly clung, though his muscles were tired and fatigued, and it shot a bolt of warm lust through his stomach.

“…Ore no… ore no pharaoh…” Yugi breathed unable to recall how to speak hieratic, and it made Atemu tingle with pleasure, and suddenly Yugi's soft cries became too much.

“biAw… akhu… ntk nt wi!” He cried out, shoving into his light harshly, possessively as he came, the boy's own release following shortly after.

“Atemu!”

The pharaoh lay upon his love, still buried deeply, and smiled, kissing the little one's shoulder affectionately as he slowly recovered. As his hear slowed, Atemu managed to prop himself up on his elbows alleviating the weight he'd placed upon Yugi's worn out form, and watched as the smaller one still fought to catch his breath. Atemu tucked a damp strand of hair behind Yugi's ear, lovingly tracing Yugi's flushed cheek, basking in the afterglow.

He looked exactly as I imagined he would. My precious servant, my light, my partner… my Yugi…

“biAw… biAw.”

Yugi opened his eyes slowly, his mouth still parted and panting, his eyes met and locked with Atemu's. The emotion in that one look shook Atemu's heart, and when Yugi reached out for him, wishing for Atemu to hold him close, the pharaoh was unable to deny him.

“… wi… mr… ntk…” Yugi whispered into the shell of Atemu's ear, and the pharaoh smiled, his hear unusually full. “… ntk… nt… wi… pr-Aa…”

“Always, Yugi… always.”

Yugi smiled against his shoulder, and let out a contented coo, as Atemu's eyes slid closed, his eyes wrapped around Yugi's tired body, as sleep finally claimed both young men.

 

^^^^

 

The room was filled with dusky shadows that climbed over the walls and slunk across the floor like a fog of dense, inescapable death. He had no way of knowing what time of day it was, nor did he really care anymore. The screams and agonized cries had long ago ripped his sanity from him. The darkness only added to the insane and unfair torment of his already dwindling mind.

“They have forgotten us.” The raspy voice had once made his insides quail and beg for more, now it only served to make his skin pimple. The lack of water and food was beginning to affect everyone, but that might just be useful to his plan.

“So it would seem. What is it to you, Pragus? You won't last much longer without some nourishment. What will you do then? Oh fearless leader?” Fastosus asked, his own voice sounding wisp-thin his to his own ears. Seemed he was doing no better than his once lover and head of command.

There was an angered snort from the darkness to his left, and had the Roman warrior been at full health the young ruler might have feared his reprisal, but in his current condition, Fastosus doubted he could hit anything in the blind darkness. “Now is the time for our escape. Unless you feel incapable of serving your country again, Caesar?” The biting comment rankled deeply and caused a deep hurt to swell in his chest leaving Fastosus angered, and snarling.

“I can handle this!” Fastosus snapped, raising to his grime-coated feet and teetering slightly on his feet as the prickles from blood flowing back into limbs he'd not used since being thrown into the cell with Pragus. They had yet to be beaten in anyway which surprised Fastosus, but then again the Egyptian empire was a little preoccupied with their little problem. A smirk was brought to Fastosus's as he remembered that lovely fact. “I can handle it better than you could handle the capturing of the shadow magic.”

A sharp pain lanced through his gut and doubled the young ruler in on himself. Strangled saliva dribble from his mouth and caught on his chin. His cry was caught in his throat, stuck in the liquid that clogged his airway.

“Don't get ahead of yourself, brat. Remember who made you!” The gruff voice sounded like spoken poison to his ears. “You would still be cowering in your old man's shadow if I hadn't given you the poison.” Pragus's grip was like iron: cold and unbreakable, upon his shoulder, and Fastosus wished not for the first time that he was a little stronger than he was; a little older, and wiser perhaps then defeating Pragus both physically and mentally would be possible, but as things stood Pragus still ruled over his heart whether he wanted him to or not.

“How am I getting out then?” Fastosus asked in a voice void of emotion. Pragus's smirk was almost visible in the darkness, as evil as the shadows that caked the walls.

“There is a hole down here behind my back, it leads out into the corridor. There is a guard beyond that, be certain you are not caught. Kill the guard and return with the keys for me. We will overtake Khemet together.”

“Together.” Fastosus said through gritted teeth. The hand guided him to the wall. The stone was rough and stung his fingertips as he felt down its surface for the opening Pragus had spoken of. He had to lower himself to his knees before he found it, and almost cried out in surprise at the small size of it.

A sickly child couldn't squeeze through there, but he'd have to if he wanted to survive.

“Something wrong, my lord?” The baiting words drove the spike in deeper, and Fastosus clenched his hands into tight fists, his broken fingernails cutting into his flesh in his anger. You will regret this Pragus. Mark my words, you will be at my mercy you godless pig, and there will be no other but myself to warm your bed when I am through.

His shoulders bumped and scraped painfully against stone as he forced his body through the jagged opening. Skin was cut and pealed back by sharp shards as his chest ached for air as it was dangerously squeezed.

When at last he'd managed to slip through the other side, his form nothing more than a mass of scrapes and bloody tears, Fastosus drew in a deep breath and leaned against the wall for support.

“Don't just stand there, move!” Pragus hissed from somewhere beyond the wall, in the dark room of eternity, and Fastosus grinned, chuckling.

“Of course, Pragus…” The warning seemed to go unnoticed by the parched man, but that was all good for the young ruler. The less Pragus knew the better.

Slipping through the empty halls like a shadow himself, Fastosus made his way up to the palace floor without a single hitch. Wherever the guards were, the dungeon was not it.

Now, where would the little dancer be hiding? Fastosus thought, his grin feral. Come out, come out, wherever you are…

 

^^^^

 

The shadows were everywhere, drowning out the light and sealing away the life that had once lived within it. His cry of fear was swallowed completely before it had a chance to even be born, and he dropped his hands to his sides, the cards slipping from his numbed fingers to scatter across the darkened ground only to vanish. His breath refused to fill his lungs, and the burning pain that took residence in his chest was enough to bead his forehead with a chilled, fear-filled sweat.

Was there no way out? Yugi wondered, his fist clenching the soft blue fabric his school uniform, as if loosening the collar would help him to breath once more, but he already knew better than that.

The shadow realm wasn't so easily survived as that, and without the help of his yami, his soul was as good as vanquished. Yugi attempted again to scream, but only the air came out in a haunting whistle from his inactive throat.

The density in the air thickened, as a pale gray fog began to rise, sweeping away from his body as though drawn by a heavy wind, but there was no movement to the air, just the stale taste of death.

A deep growl attracted Yugi's blurred attention to the focal point of the fog, where a giant shadow loomed above him, its power as intense as the evil that emanated from it. Yugi took a fearful step back, still trying to breath, and the creature cried out in retaliation, its war-cry just a little louder than the echo of his own driving heart.

I'm going to die… Yugi's thought triggered the monster, and like the flow of electricity through water, the beast ran at him, its heavy footfalls echoing off of the darkness to quicken his pulse. Adrenaline shot to his brain, and he turned to run, but the monster was already upon him. Yugi could smell the rank breath of the creature that would devour his soul and—

 

Yugi shivered, his insides telling him to escape from the depths of the shadows. Yugi quaked, something was warning him, like a light scream that twanged through his mind, echoing there and turning his insides cold. Something's wrong… I … I shouldn't be here… with out Yami inside me… I can't… I can't stay…

A deathly quiet-still, ran over Yugi, and when he looked up, aware of it, Yugi found himself staring out across a deep blackness, the shadows looking back at him, and he had the distinct feeling that they were not pleased with what they saw.

Yugi let out a startled cry as the monsters moved toward him, their bodiless forms snarling in an echoing quality that caused Yugi's skin to crawl. His arms lifted to block his face, and Yugi was aware of a dim light that seemed to glow from in front of him, until a sharp cry and a buffet of wind before him forced his mind to shift from the question of where the light was coming from…

 

“The balance has been restored… it's equaling factor would have to have known.” The voice was recognizable to Yugi. “His soul has returned to his origin. Therefore until he returns to this time, you are all that's left to preserve his body.” Old and mysterious, but Yugi knew it. “The soul room has been opened, Pharaoh. In order for balance to be kept, the light must return to set things in motion, in order for the world to survive.” He'd met it before he even knew of Yami's existence… but where…

 

The tomb held hieroglyphics like any other catacomb in the pyramid, but these surrounded the upper walls in painted gold, as clear as the day they had been written. As if the day the Pharaoh of nameless shadows was laid to rest, the writings where made, and the tomb sealed, preserving the words for eternity.

“… for my light who left to soon, the golden hands of Ra taking back what he'd once given to a god. Darkness swells and inside it shall quell, the end of all falls upon me now, save light's future… Shadow Games of night, chains of binding light?”

 

Yoshimori..?

 

“I am Yami, your darkness. You are the light that shattered the shadows and freed me from my torment; the other half of my soul, which I lost somewhere long ago. You are my light as I am your dark. We are two parts of a whole…”

 

“You are the light.”

 

“What are you? You where glowing in a place where light should not exist! So tell Yugi, what are you?!”

 

“The light…”

 

I am… the light.

 

Yugi's eyes shot opening the darkness of Atemu's room. Cold sweat drenched his body from where it was curled beneath the sheets of the bed, still wrapped in the pharaoh's drowsy embrace.

Yugi's mouth was open in a silent scream, and was dry as cotton. Yugi closed his mouth, willing his saliva to wet his tongue and rid it of the taste of the dead air. The chilled breathless wind came in from the balcony, silent as death, and Yugi shivered, blinking the last of his sleep from his eyes.

A dream? No… some of those were… memories, but they weren't mine… at least not all of them… Yugi suppressed another fearful shiver and pulled closer to the sleeping body next to him.

Atemu rested peacefully on his back, one arm strewn out across the bed—currently being used as Yugi's pillow—and curved back around in a loose embrace, while the other rested on his bared stomach. The sheets had ridden down in the night, and now just barely covered Atemu's hips.

Yugi smiled warmly, pulling the blanket up more securely around the sleeping man. He didn't want him getting sick. The movement brought his naked body against the warm, carmeled skin of Atemu's body, and brought a burgundy blush to Yugi's pale cheeks. I actually went through with it… Yugi smiled and squirmed a bit in the bed, pleased with himself. Doesn't feel half bad…

A sharp feeling of pressure in his mind stopped the giddy little sound that tried to escape him. He knew that feeling, but it was almost foreign now as he tried to pinpoint just what it was he was feeling. It's… it's… Yugi gasped, tears stinging his eyes when he realized just what it was.

“Yami…” Yugi's whisper was hardly voiced at all as the feeling of the puzzle's spirit weighed down his mind. Slowly, fearing that it might all be a fleeting dream, Yugi turned to the place Atemu had kept his puzzle since his arrival.

It rested beside the bed, glowing brightly, as it had done the day Yugi had assembled it. Cautiously, so as not to disturb Atemu, Yugi slipped from the bed, his legs quaking beneath him almost unable to bare his weight. A painful ache throbbed from his lower back and radiated down through his legs to his knees and almost forced him to the ground. Note to self, next time you have sex, make sure you don't need to walk the next day… got it…

Carefully, Yugi approached the item he'd not held in almost three months. His heart fluttered nervously, and his eyes continued to glance toward Atemu's sleeping face. Was this a betrayal of his trust? Atemu had asked him not to touch it, and he hadn't, but now…

Yami's calling, I can't ignore that! I don't really belong here at all… I… I just want… Yugi broke that thought off before it even began. He didn't know what he wanted anymore.

He wanted to stay with Atemu, to make him happy, but he also wanted to go home to his Grandpa, his friends, his… Yami.

Yugi's fingers touched the puzzle, and like a pulse, the light shone brightly before winking out entirely, Yugi collapsed to the floor holding his hand that now stung as though he'd grabbed a hold of a hundred watt power line.

That wasn't one of my smarter moves… ouch…Yugi rubbed the offended hand for several minutes wondering what had happened. The pressure was still there, but Yami's voice and soul were still missing. What was—

It is better that Exodia is lost. The spirit's voice was dark and heavy. It confused Yugi as he stood beside a dripping Jonouchi, holding three pieces of the once five for Exodia.

But, why? Grandpa loved these cards as much as the others why is it better that it be destroyed? Yugi's question caused the spirit much distress and sadness that baffled Yugi.

I… I'm not sure why… The spirit pulled closer to Yugi's soul, as though attempting to hold him, and Yugi blushed at the odd feeling on his spiritual body. Those five cards are extremely powerful… and they only listen to your soul. That bothers me… for reasons I don't fully remember… The spirit became quiet, and Yugi didn't bother asking anymore questions. If the spirit said he was better off with out Exodia, then he'd just have to trust him.

But why would a shadow monster… obey me and not the spirit of the millennium puzzle? Yugi thought to himself, already knowing he would never be answered.

 

Yugi's jaw became slack as he stared into nothingness. The pressure was still there, but it wasn't as insistent now. No, now it was like that bad feeling he'd had when he'd heard of Yoshimori's newest discovery. That's why I'm here. Yugi thought a little hysterically, his arms curling around himself in an awkward hug. That's ay I was afraid of Yoshimori's call and invitation. I am the one who seals Exodia away. That's why Yami hated the cards, that's why there were two bodies buried in Yami's sarcophagus. Yugi gave a soft laugh, his face a mask of bittersweet sadness. I scare the darkness because I sealed away it's instigator… but that means…

Amethyst eyes turned up to the relaxed face of Atemu, and his heart twisted in his chest. I have to leave you… after everything… I have to leave you all alone. Somehow Yugi felt sick to his stomach at the thought that he would be the one to crush such a brave soul as this, but really what other choice was he given?

Standing once more, Yugi mechanically moved around the room, picking up his boxers and putting them back on, and gathering his school uniform. Yugi slowly dressed, letting his tears run silently down his cheeks at the nostalgic feel of the cloth against his skin, and the comforting smell that soaked into his body.

He missed his home, but he knew he'd be missing this world, where Atemu was just as much. Atemu is still with me… Yami is there in my time. Yugi tried to console himself. But what guarantee do I have that I'll even return home after this? And if I do, will Yami forgive me for leaving him like this? Will he even still love me? Suddenly the ideas that he'd placed in his mind about Yami being straight made his stomach bottom out. He doesn't love Anzu does he?!

Yugi shook such thoughts from his head as he put on his boots, standing once again in his normal clothes. It felt restrictive now; cumbersome and tight, but at the same time soothing. I'll leave, just as I came. Yugi thought walking back toward his puzzle, now glowing dimly in the dark reacting as Atemu's did to the dark shadow magic outside.

The usual weight around his neck was a comfort and Yugi folded his fingers around the worn gold, drawing strength from its presence. Pausing one last time, Yugi ran his hand over Atemu's cheek memorizing his features.

He was different from Yami in his own way. A little less grown up perhaps, a little harder, and a little prouder, but he would always be his Yami, and now Yami's memories also held a special place in his heart as well.

Yugi took his chances to give Atemu one last kiss, his lips molding to the pharaoh's easily, taking this final memory with him incase it was really his last.

“Thank you Atemu.” Yugi whispered against the skin, and felt warmth spread through him at Atemu's sleepy smile. Turning Yugi left, picking up the map the others had looked over when discussing Exodia's resting place. You showed me what love really was… I'm sorry it took me so long. I'm sorry…

Yugi ran from the room before he could change his mind. He had just one more place he had to stop at before he could go. He just hoped Jonoh wasn't guarding the throne room. Or the stables for that matter…

 

Yugi didn't notice the shadow that detached itself from the wall of the corridor, nor did he notice its limping chase as it followed him through the hall, an evil grin on it's bloodied lips.

 

^^^^

 

“… after we received the message from Ryo Bakura, Grandpa and I think we know how to contact Yugi.” Rebecca said, proudly adjusting her glasses on her freckle covered nose. The group was just as broken as Sugoroku had warned her, and a part of her felt sick from their actions, even as another part felt sympathetic as they all slowly rebuilt themselves before her eyes.

“Bakura?” Honda asked, the first thing he'd said since she'd arrived. “But I didn't call him, did you guys?”

“No.” Anzu replied. Her frail actins were really starting to piss Rebecca off. “Jonouchi?”

“Not me, and you know it wasn't Yami.” Jonouchi had a good point it would seem as the entire group made a sound of agreement. Yami just stayed in his corner, arms crossed over his chest looking concerned.

“Then how?” Honda asked, eyes landing on Yami. From the look he gave, Rebecca was certain that it was a type of challenge, but for what she had no clue.

“… Bakura was sealed away in the ring because of his idiocy in releasing the greatest evil ever known to the world at that time, on khe—uh, Egypt. So, if my memory still had holes in it, perhaps his did as well, and its returning as mine does.” Yami offered, lifting eyes that seemed a little more sane than the last time she'd seen him.

Honda snorted, but looked less hostile at Yami's input.

“I guess that's possible, but why call Rebecca? And how did he get her number in the first place?” Jonouchi suddenly sounded concerned, as though the fact that Bakura had Rebecca's number meant that the spirit of the ring was somehow stalking everyone in the group.

Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Ryo's father worked with my Grandfather on a theory a while back. They traded numbers, and that was how Ryo knew it. Ryo called because, I'm sure he knew that you would all be at a loss as to what to do.” Rebecca paused for emphasis. “Grandfather and I can look into a lot of old files and other things that may help Yugi what with our connections. So, he called for that, reason, and as I said, I think I found a way to return Yugi to this world.” Rebecca waited for the praise and was sourly disappointed when none came.

She pouted and returned to her laptop. “Besides, Ryo said that Bakura was worried.” Whatever that means…

There was a stiff sort of silence in the room as those words sank in, and Rebecca waited for the over reaction, and was again disappointed, when the group of wide-eyed, disbelieving stares turned away and calmed as though no one wanted to even deal with that idea.

“Will you guys react to something already?! I've just told you a cold-blooded evil spirit was worried for my darling, and that we now have a possible solution and all you can do is sit there looking stupid?!” Rebecca's outburst dragged out several guilty faces and she sighed flopping back into her seat. “You are all pathetic. Anyway, Grandfather found this old spiritual rite from Egypt. It was very old, almost predating the Egyptian culture itself. It was found in Hierakonpolis, the capitol of upper Egypt. It's a way to summon Ptah the god of creation. If it works, grandfather believes that—“

The sudden cry stopped her explanation, and Rebecca looked up angrily, ready to yell at whoever had interrupted, but stopped herself as Yami collapsed to his knees, his hands curled into the hair at the side of his head.

“Ah!”

“Yami!” Anzu cried immediately by the other's side. Her reaction bothered Rebecca. She already knew that Anzu preferred Yami to Yugi, so how badly did that girl really want Yugi back? Well, if this method is correct then she won't have to worry, and neither will I, we'll both be happy…

“What's happening?” Rebecca asked as Jonouchi suddenly let out a curse also joining Anzu around the fallen poltergeist.

“He's having a flashback type thingy.” Was Jonouchi's bright response. Honda moved closer then as well.

Rebecca set her laptop aside, forgetting the diagram and the steps to the ritual she'd been ready to undergo, to attend to the spirit that was writhing in pain upon the floor. “What?”

“He's been getting memories back since Yugi's been gone. Most times their sudden and painful.” Anzu explained a little more clearly. Obviously, Anzu and Jonouchi were the only two who knew this, as Honda's eyes grew wide with sudden understanding.

“What's happening then!?” Honda exclaimed trying to get passed Jonouchi to either attack or help Yami. From the way Jonouchi held him back, Rebecca assumed it was the former.

“…E…exodia… Yugi's going to…NO!” Yami's scream cut through the house like a blade, and collapsed the warmth that had been in Rebecca's heart.

“Don't… don't die… aibou!”

No one said anything for a long time.

 

~~~~~~~~

(Ending theme: Night Flowers)

 

I'm wandering lost in the land of love;

please come find me.

I hide my heart

that I thought I'd already wore the wings off of.

 

The thousands of petals

which color my heart

make me yearn for you, almost sadly

Once more

 

Mirage that slips through my fingers

the moment I grasp it...

I want to steal away all of you.

 

Brandishing a frozen knife,

love dances, scattering the night flowers

 

Love, comfort, let go - even my heart...

Feel it more intensely

 

If it's destiny,

then I don't need peace or warmth.

 

Brandishing a frozen knife,

love dances, scattering the night flowers

 

Break, injure, seal it away - even my heart...

Love me more intensely

 

 

A.N. Sorry that the sex scene had so many rewritten dream scenes, but I had no other way to really show that their first time was the same as those dreams Yugi and Yami kept having. I hope it wasn't a disappointment. The opening foreplay was a little dragged out as well, I wanted to show so much but I think I killed it… *Sigh* Anyway, hope this was worth the wait, and hope its not too bad. If there's anything you feel needs to be fixed, e-mail me and let me know. ^-^

 

Translations:

 

wi mr ntk, p3y-i pr-Aa: I love you, my pharaoh.

 

wi mr? S-htp, Atemu, mr wi: Love me? Please, Atemu, love me.

 

Ink n -k: I belong to you.

 

Set srf: Such warmth.

 

mn. Ir nn StA, Yugi… p3y-i Heba: Remain. Do not be difficult, Yugi… my Game. (AKA Yugi)

 

Ir nn ir pf m wHm-a: Do not do that again.

 

mn n wi: Remain for me?

 

ir ntk Sn wi: Only if you kiss me.

 

N grg: To begin.

 

biAw: Mine.

 

ntk nt wi: you belong to me.

 

Ore no Pharaoh: my Pharaoh.