Prologue

. .

The beats were slow. And they continued.

. .

Yugi squirmed in his positon, flapping for an alarm. He groaned and nudged the familiar weight of Ryou on his stomach.

. .

Ryou shifted off him. Yugi relaxed into the rocky fold out bed he was on. And then he was aware of the death smell pervading the hospital. Groggily, Yugi lifted his head from the hospital couch. Ryou sat on an arm waiting for him. Yugi stretched, popping each vertebra and forced his eyelids open. The scene remained the same.

One Year Earlier

Try it on, he said. It works, he said. It totally suits you he said. That boy has too much power over this old heart, thought Sugoroku as he descended down the rather elaborate flight of stairs to Yugi's wedding.

He huffed reaching the end and followed the servant to his seat. Next to him were Ryou and Akefia both cracking up over something funny. To the other side stood that tall man who vaguely resembled Dark Magician; his name started with an "m" but for now, Sugoroku could not remember. And then the aisle beside his had the other council as Yugi introduced them: the muscle men, the boy prince, the people of Atlantis, and many others. He checked his montsuki. It showed wear and tear from the years, however it miraculously fit. He sighed.

"My grandson's wedding at eighteen," he muttered.

Sadly, the Dark Magician-look-a-like caught wind. He leaned over Sugoroku and stared at him. Sugoroku held the gaze until he saw the look to be affable concern instead of challenge.

"I understand your worry, Motou-sama," he said in a soothing tone. "I have three of my own and one will most likely be engaged in the coming months."

He gestured to a small group off the side, idling with that Atem person. Among them stood Marik, in parade rest, but relaxed. Remy gesticulated with his hands a story that the girls were infatuated with. Sugoroku nodded.

"You let your children marry so young," he said.

Dark Ma—no, Mahad looked at him. "We live long and lose much in that time. For the chance of finding that one person who will endure with us is possible, then we take it and never let go."

Mahad was far off in this speech, however Sugoroku paled slightly. He begrudgingly accepted Yugi's love for this king long ago, but that did not mean he was assuaged in the fact his little grandson was married at fifteen. The children had tried to give him varying stories of how that happened and what he understood from the muddle was Yugi's life was in danger and the only way to save was marriage. Sugoroku huffed and leaned into his seat. The procession would begin soon and loathe as he was to admit, he wanted to see his grandson walk down the aisle.

Months Previous

"No," Sugoroku said.

"But Grandpa—"

"No."

"Motou-sama, allow me to—"

"No."

"Gramps, listen—"

"Don't you call me gramps!" yelled Sugoroku.

Jonounchi furled in his wings at the power of the man's voice. Sugoroku stared down each of the occupants of the room. Atem, holding Yugi's hand, Seth standing ramrod straight, glaring back, Mokuba and that boy—Noah—huddled on the couch and lastly, the priest, Shadi. On the living room table lain out was a scrap book of wedding plans and diorama of seating arrangements. Sugoroku gently picked out the figurine meant to be him. It was a mauve colored affair with his signature bandanna. Also, upon it, was Yugi's puzzle; it was finished the year before and Yugi wore it always. To him, it was a gaudy fashion choice, but apparently the gift from the king meant to link him and Yugi together, even in otherworlds.

Sugoroku breathed in slowly. "I will not be attending this," he said. Before any objections, he said, "Unless you have the wedding here."

"But Grandpa," said Yugi, "we can't. I need to strengthen the marriage bond in the Shadow Realm. Atem says though our bond is strong, it is still easily ripped because I am here and he is there." Yugi punctuated this by adding his second hand with Atem's. Together they had made a field around their ring fingers.

"Furthermore," began Seth from the wall. "We are inclined to continuing this without you, sir, and just be as happy."

"No," said Atem. "Seth, you know our rules and theirs. Sugoroku must accept this or we will have more trouble." There was a steely stone to Atem's words that had Sugoroku flinching. It was almost as if they threaten to take Yugi again, but he knew that was unacceptable. Yugi's eyes were cast down after Atem spoke.

He's been having that sad look for a while now. I can't figure out what's causing it. Could it be that he knows he has to leave? thought Sugoroku.

Obviously, a marriage led to children leaving home, but Yugi had been married for almost three years now, however without a proper wedding and his grandson being still a child, Yugi stayed home. Sugoroku wanted his grandson. He also wanted him to remain on his plain of existence. Sugoroku rubbed his hands together. The creatures were awaiting his decision.

"First tell me how this goes, and then I will consider it."

The Wedding

It was so strange. Sugoroku watched as the Priest held Yugi's and the king's hands together as they chanted along. The rings glowed dimly and this part was just tradition. Mahad and his wife-er, Isis?- sat next to him, fisting each other and gazing beyond the dais to something long ago. They were reliving their wedding.

Sugoroku remembered seeing his son's wedding.

It was awful.

Nanami was six months along and showed little. Her dress was borrowed and she struggled in the heels she insisted on wearing. Fahim stood by the judge as he drowsily read the ceremonial wedding speech.

Sugoroku watched as he did then, the two opposites holding hands passively. Nanami rubbed her stomach distractedly as Yugi's wings quiver in anticipation. Fahim had lost weight when he realized digs in Peru, Mexico, and Indian would need to be held off. Atem seemed to be breaking his face with his smile.

I feel as if this is what all that heartache was worth, thought Sugoroku as the two were announced married and waved to the adoring crowd. Yes, he thought seeing the joyful misty eyes of his grandson, This is worth it all.

The ceremony concluded, Yugi and the gang headed to the dining hall. He caught Grandpa before. Holding his elder's hand always made him flinch now, but after some practice he hid it well. Yugi knew Grandpa's time was coming. He would go peacefully, but the lead up to it was long and painful. Yugi grimaced minutely at that thought.

"Attention," yelled his Atem. "I have prepared a show with my cousin on this day of most wonderful days." He gestured for Seth to come out of the crowd, to which Kisara had to shove out.

"Thank you, sister of my kin," Atem said.

He grabbed Seth before he could escape. Yugi noticed he seemed uneasy about something and furiously whispered into Atem's ear, to which he ignored.

"I am happy to announce, that after long years of only having the bare means for our traditions and ceremonies, that we have reached an age where our feasts are the greatest," to this the crowd cheered, "our music mirthfully played," the musicians began a medley of bangs and plucks, "and especially a time for dances."

At this the crowd erupted in loud succession of awe and astonishment. Yugi could help but notice some nervousness, but he had no time to analyze it as two guards hoisted him upon a moving dais and then hoisted Grandpa. They were above all and Yugi say Atem smile brightly as Ryou brought out flaming knives. Seth took a breath and seemed to accept whatever fate was happening.

"To my love, Yugi, I will share with you a dance that once was done at all royal weddings, but alas has had to hold off. Until tonight!"

That was the only warning Yugi had before Seth and Atem started a complicated routine of jumps, kicks, and flaming knife juggling. Gradpa stared, mouth agape, as the speed increased. Yugi was gladly able to follow the pattern. For each knife tossed, the receiver had a kick, and the knife tossed to the other was a spin of jumps.

"What is this called?" Yugi asked the guard holding his right.

"Your highness, it the Mamousami," the guard said.

"Oh," Yugi replied. He was still lost in some words, so he continued to watch.

The dance sped up and the fires extinguished until Seth had all of them except two. He aimed them Atem, who caught three in his arms, one between his toes, and the final was thrown high so it landed in his throat.

"Oh, dear brother, to each other, we are unkind," Seth sang, "But to see you now I know that your heart entwined." He walked slowly to Atem. "From this day, may you never part." He arrived to Atem and yanked the knife from his throat. Yugi gasped, but saw no harm. "For you have proven the love of Shadow art. With blaze and iron, you fought. For love is a road rough. So, go ahead and claim your bride. All has been mended and revised."

Atem dropped the knives and ran to Yugi who in turn flew to him. They collided together perfectly.

Present

Yugi sat in the back breaking chair as Ryou went to fetch sustenance. He could see Grandpa's life trickling away as the minutes passed. Machines only read the body, but the spirits were the true life support and when they dwindled…

Yugi shook as he saw the last light of Grandpa's thread diminish. It was at the top of the bed.

"So, the old tales had some truth," he said.

Standing across the bed was a man. Not particularly dressed or with scythe with a skeleton face. Just a man. He could be the stranger on the bus, an accountant, and maybe a tourist foreign to Japan. He was well dressed in a beige suit with no tie and had a pocket book in his right hand with a fountain pen in the left.

"Yes," he said as a greeting. "Not everything you read is fiction. Humans do remember their short deaths and the details do emerge in dreams or nightmares." He put the notebook down and looked at Yugi.

Yugi finally lifted his head. The man had short brown hair, clean shaven, and his eyes had no pupils.

"Humans see what they want, Half-Angel. I am simply presenting myself as it is tradition with the elderly and young children. They are easily startled." He spoke in a soft tone, as if giving a seminar.

Yugi shuddered. "Will…Will I see Grandpa?"

The man nodded. With a small smile he crossed out something in his notebook. The machines beat rapidly in the small room, but the barrage of nurses and doctors coming in did not notice the three walk out of the room.

Grandpa walked with ease as he had not done in passing years and looked longingly at his only grandson. Yugi's tear streaks were dried and he gave a secret smile and squeezed the translucent hand.

The man coughed.

"I do not wish to be rude, but I must keep a schedule. The tanks in East Europe are not taking their time and some are desperate need of relief."

"Quiet!" Grandpa yelled. He looked at Yugi again.

"I am here, always, Yugi," he said placing his hands in Yugi's.

"I know," said Yugi. "Now go and say hi to Grandma."

The young man let go and both the man and Grandpa were gone.

"I missed it," said Ryou as he stumbled across Yugi.

The Queen nodded and gestured for them to leave. On the roof of the hospital, Yugi opened the portal home with his bags and Ryou's at their feet. Ryou went in first with the luggage. Yugi spread his wings. There was no sadness to be found on his being. Grandpa was better and he returned to his kingdom and his family.