Here's the second story in the Path to Happiness series. Consider it a sequel to Defeating a Tyrant.

Pairings:

YamixYugi(Puzzleshipping)

AtemuxHeba(Blindshipping)

SetoxJoey(Puppyshupping)

BakuraxRyouy(Tendershipping)

MarikxMalik(Brinzeshipping)

IsisxMahado(Pleashipping)

AknankanonxAmara(no shipping)

In this story, Yami and Yugi is the pairing that will get the most loving. I assure you that puzzleshipping will be in this one.

Note: The Millennium items will come in later in the story. I'm going to change their origin a little to fit my story. I may toy with who gets what item, too.

Summary: Now that Yugi is Emperor, he is working to rebuild his kingdom and aid his people. Aknankanon, wanting to consolidate relations with the Millennial Kingdom, sends Yami there to help in the process as well as discuss a peace between the Millennial Kingdom and Egypt. While he is there, Yami learns a great deal about the new king. As Yami spends six months in the Millennial Kingdom, he and Yugi admit their love for each other. However, the call of duty rips them apart as Yugi's place is in the Millennial Kingdom, and Yami feels that his place is in Egypt. When Yami returns, a dark force attacks Egypt, intent on brining about it's destruction. The Millennium items, sacred items that are from the Millennial Kingdom, are said to have the power to save Egypt. They are hidden throughout the world. Heba, Joey, Ryou, Malik, Atemu, Bakura, Seto, Marik, and Yami must find the items to save their kingdom. Will the power of the Millennium items and the Millennial army be enough to save Egypt? Will Ehypt survive with the help of its allies, or will Egypt all? Nost importantantly, what will become of Yugi and Yami's relationship? Will Yami choose his duty to Egypt or his duty to his heart?

Warnings: lemons, mpreg(probably won't hvae mpreg until near the end), once again, everything is modernized

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot!


Chapter 1- The Task

"Why me, Dad?" Yami asked.

"Because you're the only one left." Aknankanon said.

Aknankanon had just informed Yami that he would be going to the Millennial Kingdom to remain there for about six months so that he could help in restoring the Millennial Kingdom as well as act as an ambassador for Egypt in ensuring that a permanent peace between Egypt and the Millennial Kingdom would be brought.

"Dad, I don't see why I have to do this. You know that Seto or Atemu would be better to do this than me. Hell, even Marik and Bakura would be better suited for this." Yami said.

Aknankanon stopped walking and turned to look at Yami. "Marik and Bakura?" Aknankanon asked.

"Okay. Maybe not those two, but still." Yami said.

Aknankanon sighed. "Yami, the reason that I don't want Atemu, Seto, Marik, or Bakura going is because they are too closely tied to Heba, Joey, Malik, and Ryou. I can't spare any of the priests at the moment. That's why you're the one that is going to go, Yami. This isn't a discussion." Aknankanon remarked.

Yami sighed. "All right, Dad." Yami said.

Aknankanon looked over his son. "Yami, I understand that you don't really want to do this. It's just the way things need to be." Aknankanon said.

"I know, Father. When am I going?" Yami asked.

"In a week's time. Emperor Yugi already knows you will be coming and that you will be staying for six months. Try to be on your best behavior. Don't forget that you are representing Egypt while you're there." Aknankanon said.

"I know, Dad. I'm not Bakura and Marik. I'm not going to do anything that's dangerous to Egypt." Yami said.

"All right." Aknankanon said before walking off.

Yami sighed. 'I guess I'm going to be stuck in another culture for a while.' Yami thought, not exactly thrilled at the prospect of having to stay in the Millennial Kingdom for half a year.


"Have the repairs to the towns begun?" Yugi asked as he walked down the hall with Dartz.

"Yes. All towns have begun their repairs, but it's going to take a lot of time. There are only a few people who have the skill in this type of work." Dartz said.

"Are there any soldiers who have that skill?" Yugi asked.

"Many." Dartz answered.

"Good. We'll take volunteers first. Anyone willing to help out." Yugi said as he looked over a few of the papers that he had been given.

"Just out of curiosity, are you planning to remodel the palace?" Dartz asked.

"Not at the moment. Why?" Yugi asked.

"Because I've see blueprints for different area." Dartz said.

"That would be for the parts of the palace that were destroyed in the battle last week against my father and his men. The throne room, the courtyard, and a few other rooms were pretty badly damaged. That's what the blueprints are for. To repair them." Yugi said.

"Oh. That does make sense." Dartz said.

"I'm mainly focusing on the towns right now. I want to get the people back in a better position than my father left them." Yugi said.

"Understandable. What about the prince form Egypt?" Dartz asked.

"Prince Yami will be here to aid us in any way he can as far as the repairs go." Yugi said.

"He's here to ensure that we make a permanent peace with Egypt." Dartz said as they walked into a command room.

"I know that, and I can understand the Pharaoh's point of view. They have a bad experience with our kingdom, and I understand. He wants to protest his people." Yugi said.

"He will be coming then." Dartz said.

"He'll be arriving some time next week." Yugi answered.

"We had better prepare a room for him then." Dartz said.

"Already being done." Yugi said, handing the papers to Dartz.

"Where are you going?" Dartz asked.

"Where else? To see what I can do." Yugi said before leaving.

Dartz shook his head. "A most unconventional ruler.' Dartz said.

"Perhaps." Solomon said, walking over to Dartz. "I know Yugi's wanting to help rebuild the kingdom in a hands-on manner is unconventional, but it is effective. The people have a great amount of respect and loyalty toward Yugi." Solomon said.

"Yes. His helping them in the way he is truly has reinforced the idea that he is a good ruler. He may have only been in power a week, but he has the full support of the people as well as the nobles who chose not to support Kenshin." Dartz said.

"Yugi is already working on changing the outrageous laws Kenshin out into place. He is doing what he can to aid them." Solomon said.

"Yes. I think that the kingdom is in much better hands." Dartz said.


Yami had gone back to his room and decided to go ahead and to go ahead and pack for his trip. He may not have liked having to go, but he would go and do what he had been told in the best way that he possibly could.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Yami said.

The door opened, and Atemu and Heba walked into the room.

"Hi, Yami." Atemu said.

"Hey. What are you two doing here?" Yami asked.

"Well, we heard about what Dad is having you do." Atemu said.

"Oh. That." Yami said.

"Are you okay with this?" Atemu asked.

"I don't have much of a choice at the moment, Atemu. I'll be fine. I'm doing what I was told. Nothing more." Yami said.

"Sorry about this." Atemu said.

"Not your fault. It's probably not a bad idea for me to go. I've always wanted the chance to live in a different culture for a period of time. Now's my chance to." Yami said.

"Things won't be as bad as you think, Yami." Heba said.

"Well, I'll find out pretty soon." Yami said.

"Don't worry about it, Yami. It's only for six months." Atemu said.

"So I've heard." Yami said. He looked at Heba and said, "Any advice on how to act with your brother?"

"Yami, with Yugi, all you have to do is be yourself. He would prefer that you be like that." Heba said.

"That doesn't help me too much." Yami said.

"I know. You'll find out for yourself. Yugi's a pretty good person. It takes a lot to really make him mad." Heba said.

"I hope that you're right." Yami said.

"I am, Yami. Once you get to know Yugi, I think that you'll be fine." Heba said.

"Okay. Just so you know, I'm going to hold you to that." Yami said.

"Be my guest." Heba said.

"Don't worry about it, Yami. You'll be back home before you know it." Atemu said before he and Heba left the room.

Yami sat down on his bed and sighed. 'Well, I think I did learn something from the way Atemu and the others treated Heba and the others when they first got here. I'm going to try to befriend Yugi. I really don't want to argue with him all the time.' Yami thought.

With that thought in mind, Yami got back to packing up his things.


Yugi was out in one of the towns, helping the townspeople rebuild the city.

Yugi was very goof with his hands, so he aided the people in rebuilding the are.

The men and the women that were working with Yugi were grateful for his help. All the people were happy that their new ruler was taking such an interest in them and was so willing to do the manual labor that would help the town.

Yugi was currently helping rebuild one of the houses. He worked with several others as well as the use of equipment to get the house rebuilt.

"Well, that's another house that's back on its feet." a man said when they finished the house.

"Yes, but there's still a lot that we are going to have to do." Yugi said as he wiped the sweat off his brow.

A woman came up with a tray of drinks and said, "I think that you could all use a cool drink."

All of the men, including Yugi, took the cold drinks gratefully.

"Thank you." Yugi said to the woman.

"It was my pleasure, Emperor." the woman said.

It still felt weird when Yugi would hear people call him Emperor. He knew that it was something he would eventually get used to, but it was still just odd.

"Emperor, if I may ask, what is the progress with the other towns?" a man asked.

"There are more than enough people to help with the rebuilding process, but there is a lack of people skilled in construction. The progress is slow mainly for that reason." Yugi answered.

"May I make a suggestion?" the man asked.

"Certainly." Yugi answered.

"Perhaps what needs to be done is have the people from all the towns that are skilled construction workers and, if they are willing, have them go to the different towns and supervise the rebuilding process in that town. There may not be people skilled with the tools, but they can be taught as long as the one supervising everything knows what to do." the man explained.

"Hmm. That is a good idea. What is you name?" Yugi asked.

"Nakamuri." the man answered.

"Well, Nakamuri, I appreciate the advice. That is a good idea that you came up with. It would be a great help to us." Yugi said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I just want to help." Nakamuri said.

Yugi nodded.

The group then got back to work on rebuilding parts of the town.


"Man. Do I feel for Yami." Bakura said as he leaned back in his chair.

"Why's that?" Malik demanded.

"I wouldn't want to have to go and stay in the Millennial Kingdom for six months. That would be pure torture." Bakura said.

Malik glared at Bakura. He then used his foot to tip the chair Bakura was sitting in over, which wasn't hard since Bakura already had it tilted back, and caused Bakura to fall to the ground.

"Oww! What the hell was that for?!" Bakura shouted, rubbing the back of his head as he glared at Malik.

"That was for insulting my homeland, idiot!" Malik snapped.

Ryou rolled his eyes. "It's not that big of a deal, Malik. Bakura didn't mean to insult us." Ryou said.

"Not mean to! He said that it would be torture to be in the Millennial Kingdom for six months! He hasn't been there for very much or for very long!" Malik growled.

"Well, you didn't have to knock me over!" Bakura snapped as he got onto his feet.

"Well, I thought that it was necessary." Malik retorted.

"Okay. Both of you knock it off!" Seto snapped as he stopped his make out session with Joey to glare at them. "We don't know what the Millennial Kingdom is really like, and definitely not now with the change of emperors. We don't have the right to judge them, and especially not based on the actions of a tyrant who is now dead. Besides, it doesn't seem to bother Yami too much, so let it be." Seto said. He then turned his attention back to his husband.

"Come on, you two." Ryou said.

Bakura sighed. "All right. Sorry about that Malik. I don't know much about the Millennial Kingdom, and I shouldn't have said it that way." Bakura said.

"Yeah. Sorry for tripping you." Malik said.

"Thank you. That's wasn't do bad, now was it?" Ryou asked.

"No." the two grumbled.

Ryou rolled his eyes. "You two are impossible to deal with sometimes." Ryou said.

Marik laughed. "And I love it so much." Marik said.

"You what?" Ryou said, shocked.

"Yeah. I like it when Malik gets feisty, defense, and sadistic. It's so much fun to see him like that." Marik said.

Malik glared. "Shut up, or you're sleeping alone tonight!" Malik snapped.

Ryou shook his head. "You two are strange." Ryou said.

"Yeah, but we work well." Malik said.

Ryou sighed. "I'm glad that at least Seto, Joey, Atemu, and Heba are normal couples." Ryou said.

A moan was heard, and the group looked to see that Seto and Joey were still looked in a heavy make-out session.

"They may like to make-out a lot, but at least they are normal." Malik said.


"Do you really have to send Yami?" Amara asked.

"Yes, I do. He's the only one left that can do it. Atemu, Seto, Bakura, and Marik all are too closely tied to the Millennial Kingdom because of their marriages. We can't spare the priests now. You and I can't go, and there's no else that I would trust this to other than Yami." Aknankanon said.

Amara sat down on their bed. "I know, but it just wish that Yami didn't have to go. I haven's had either one of our sons away from us for so long." Amara said.

Aknankanon chuckled. "Yami's almost eighteen years old, Amara. He's a man now, and we have to let go at some point. It will be odd, but it's not forever." Aknankanon said.

"I know. I understand that what Yami is doing is for the good of the kingdom." Amara said.

Aknankanon smiled. "He'll be fine. I only hope that his meeting with Emperor Yugi starts off better than Atemu's did with Heba or any of the others for that matter." Aknankanon said.

"I hope so, too." Amara said.


Night had fallen in the Millennial Kingdom, and Yugi was currently sitting at his desk, going over some of the plans for the rebuilding of the kingdom.

'This is going to take a while.' Yugi thought as he looked over everything.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Yugi called without looking up.

The door opened.

"Yugi, why are you still in here?" Solomon asked.

"Because there's a lot of work that I need to get done. There's laws to change, plans for the rebuilding of the kingdom to look over, and a million other things that I need to do." Yugi said.

Solomon walked over and put a hand on Yugi's hand.

Yugi looked up at his grandfather.

"Yugi, I understand why you want to do all this, but overworking yourself is not going to help. You are trying to do all this as well as aid physically in the rebuilding process." Solomon said.

Yugi sighed. "Grandpa, I just want to set everything right. Father messed everything up. In more ways than one. I have so much that I have to make right. I just want to be a good king to these people. They have been through enough as it is." Yugi said.

Solomon smiled kindly. "I know, and the fact that you are stressing over everything like this tells me that you will be a great ruler. However, wearing yourself thin will not help anyone. You need to take it one step at a time." Solomon said.

Yugi sighed. "Okay, Grandpa." Yugi agreed. He out everything away in his desk before he followed his grandfather. "Oh! That's right!" Yugi exclaimed.

"What?" Solomon asked.

"I need to make sure that everything is ready for when Prince Yami comes. His room has to be prepared. He is our guest." Yugi said, staring to leave.

Solomon placed a hand on Yugi's shoulder. "Yugi, he will not arrive until next week. You don't need to stress over it. There is plenty of time. Right now, I think that you need to eat dinner and relax." Solomon said.

Yugi nodded his agreement. He went to his room before he had a servant bring food up to his room.

Letting out a sigh, Yugi took off the cape as well as his crown. He sat down in a chair.

There was a knock on the door.

"Enter!" Yugi called.

A servant girl walked into the room. "Here's the food that you ordered, Your Majesty." the girl said.

Yugi motioned for her to set the food on the table.

The girl did as she was ordered before she left the room.

Yugi then started to eat. He was very tired and just wanted to eat, take a bath, and go to bed.

After he finished the food, Yugi set the tray outside his room before he walked to the bathing chambers. He undressed and climbed into the hot water.

Yugi let out a sigh of approval as his body entered the warm water. 'This is more like it.' Yugi thought.

Yugi relaxed in the bath for a while before he finally got out, dried off, and then changed into nightclothes before he headed to bed.


Yami was laying on his bed, trying to watch TV, but he couldn't pay attention to it. Finally, Yami just turned off the television before he lay back on his bed, starring at the ceiling.

'In a few days, I'll be in the Millennium Kingdom for six months. I can't help but wonder what it's going to be like there. I've never been somewhere like that before.' Yami thought.

Yami hadn't told anyone, but he was rather excited about going. He wanted to see what the Millennium Kingdom was like. He wanted to see their culture and how it differed from his own.

'I hope that I'm not too much trouble for the Emperor. I don't want to interfere with what he does. I know that Dad has a good reason for this, but I don't want inconvenience the Emperor because of this.' Yami thought.

Yami got up and walked over the balcony. He placed his hands on the rail before he looked up at the night sky.

The night was peaceful and cool. It was a nice night.

Yami smiled. 'I wonder what nights are like in the Millennial Kingdom. I wonder if they're as beautiful as they are here.' Yami thought.


Heba groaned as Atemu released inside of him.

Exhausted, Atemu pulled out of Heba before he lay down beside his husband.

Heba then turned over and cuddled up again his husband, resting his head on Atemu's chest. "Hmm. That was amazing, as always." Heba said.

Atemu chuckled. "I had hoped that you would say that, Heba. I would hate for it to get boring for you." Atemu said.

"Boring? You find ways to make it interesting. Besides, there's no one else that I would want to be with in this way." Heba said, looking up at Atemu.

Atemu leaned down and kissed Heba. "Glad to hear that. I would kill you and anyone else if I ever found you with another." Atemu said.

Heba chuckled. "Likewise." Heba said.

The two then settled down.

"Heba, do you think that Yami is going to be all right? Going to your homeland I mean?" Atemu asked.

Heba sighed and sat up. "Atemu, nothing is going to happen to Yami. Yugi isn't like that." Heba said.

Atemu reached up and pulled Heba back down so that Heba was laying chest to chest on him. "I didn't mean it like that, Heba. All I meant was do you think that he'll be able to fit in." Atemu said.

"Oh. I'm sure that he will. As long as he is himself and honest with Yugi, they won't have a problem." Heba said.

"Honest?" Atemu asked.

"It's a personal thing with Yugi. He values honesty, and he expects other people to be honest with him. Yami could be as blunt as he wanted with Yugi. He could tell Yugi that he hated him and that he was the worst king in the history of kings if he felt that way. As long as Yami is honest, he won't have any problems getting along with Yugi. Now, our culture is a bit different than what Yami is used to, but I think that Yami is going to be able to adjust rather easily." Heba said.

"If you say so. I just worry about him." Atemu said.

"I know you do, Atemu, but I can assure you that he is not in any kind of danger, and you know that I wouldn't lie to you about something like this." Heba said.

Atemu leaned up and kissed Heba affectionately on the cheek. "I know, Heba. You wouldn't lie to me period. I was just wondering." Atemu said.

"Okay, Atemu. I'm sure that Yami will be fine. Besides, you know that your father let us set up one of the rooms in the palace with equipment from the Millennial Kingdom so that we communicate with Yugi on a regular basis. We can use that to talk to Yami." Heba said.

"I know. It just won't be the same, not seeing my brother every day." Atemu stated.

"Now you know how I feel." Heba said.

"Okay. You've made all your points." Atemu said.

"Glad to hear that. Now, I think that we should go to sleep. I don't think your father would appreciate it if we ended up falling asleep during the meeting tomorrow." Heba said.

Atemu laughed. "Yeah. He did yell good at Bakura and Marik when they fell asleep during the meeting that one time." Atemu said.

"Yell good? He yelled so loud that I swear there were cracks that formed in the throne room walls from it. We all had trouble hearing anything for the rest of the day." Heba said.

Atemu laughed. "But it was so much fun watching them get yelled at." Atemu said.

"That's almost a daily occurrence." Heba said.

"Yeah. I suppose so." Atemu said.

Heba settled beside Atemu in a more comfortable position before the two fell asleep.


Yugi had made sure that everything was ready for Yami's arrival. He had checked over everything just to be certain.

"Why does everything being right for Prince Yami matter so much?" Dartz asked.

"Because first impressions are what starts to form an opinion of the person. Besides, he's my brother's brother-in-law, and I really want things to be right for him. Plus, it won't do any good to give him a negative view of us." Yugi said.

"Point taken, although he has already had his first impression. He met you when the battle with Kenshin took place." Dartz said.

"I know, but that was under different circumstances." Yugi said.

"Point well taken." Dartz agreed.

"In any case, everything is ready for Prince Yami's arrival tomorrow. Now, I have to go and oversee some repairs in one the towns." Yugi said.

"Nakamuri's plan was certainly a good one. It has helped a lot. The rebuilding will still take a while, but he did come up with a way to speed up the process." Dartz said.

"I know. You're going to oversee the repairs to the palace, right?" Yugi asked.

"Of course. Well, Lord Solomon and I are, anyway." Dartz said.

"I know. Thanks." Yugi said before he left.

Dartz smiled. 'He is certainly a bit unconventional, but he's popular with the people, and that's what matters.' Dartz thought. He then went to aid in overseeing the repairs to the palace.


The day had come for Yami to go to the Millennial Kingdom.

"You take care of yourself, Yami, and keep in touch with us." Amara said, hugging Yami tightly.

Yami winced at the strength behind the hug.

Amara may have looked like a small woman, but she had a great deal of upper body strength.

Yami looked at his father, asking for help/

Aknankanon chuckled. "Let the boy breath, Amara." Aknankanon said.

Amara then let go of her son.

"I'll keep in touch, Mom. I promise." Yami said.

"You take care, Yami. Don't do something that'll send us to war." Atemu said, hugging his brother.

"I'm not Marik and Bakura, Atemu." Yami said.

"Hey!" Bakura and Marik shouted indignantly.

"Come on, guys. You know that you cause a lot of trouble." Yami said.

The two glared at Yami, but hugged him goodbye anyway.

"You be careful." Seto said.

"I will." Yami said.

"You'll be fine, Yami." Heba said as he hugged his brother-in-law.

"Thanks, Heba." Yami said.

"Don't fall for the charms of any of the girls over there." Joey said jokingly.

"Please. That won't be happening." Yami said.

They all knew that Yami preferred men like his brother and cousins.

"You had better go, Yami." Aknankanon said.

"Okay, Dad." Yami said.

"You be careful, and try to stay out of trouble." Aknankanon said.

"I'm not Marik and Bakura. I don't try to start wars." Yami said.

"Yami!" Bakura and Marik should, intending to murder Yami.

But Yami had already stepped through the portal that Heba had created and was gone.

"I'm killing him when he gets back." Bakura muttered.

"You'll forget about it before then." Ryou said.

Atemu smiled. 'Good luck, Yami. I hope you enjoy there. You'll be there for a while.' Atemu thought.

The group then spread out.


Hope you liked it. This was just to set up for when Yami went to the Millennial Kingdom.

Next: Yami's first day in the Millennial Kingdom. He has interaction with Yugi. (Sorry. Nothing romantic yet.)

R&R.