So I have started a new AU and I hope you guys enjoy it! Really though, I have school and other fics to work on, why do I do this to myself? Oh yeah, because I love puzzleshipping too much... oops!

Please don't mind any mistakes I might have missed!

Chapter One - Do We've Got a Deal?

It is something you can see but cannot. It is something strong but fragile. It is not a one person job and each party must put their everything in to make it last. There are challenges and struggles along the way. Heartbreak and tears are not something foreign to this, but they can be beaten if work is put in. It is a long journey, but can be easy and joyful to each party. To get the full understanding, you must experience it. When you do, the answer will be become clear to you.

"Do we have a deal?" The Pharaoh asked, a gleam in his eyes and sly smirk on his face. He held his hand out for the teenager to shake, "Well?"

The teenager looked at the offered hand before him. He had a knack for games and it is said that making a deal to the spirit of this ancient pharaoh was the ultimate game of all. It was challenging and only the best had played….

…. They all failed, however.

The teenager smirked, vowing to himself to win this game. He shook the spirit's hand, the translucent hand of the pharaoh feeling nothing more than just a cool sensation around the teen's own warm hand, "It's a deal."

The spirit's smirk grew and morphed into an amused grin, "I like your spunk, kid." He crossed his arms over his chest, studying the teen before him, "Maybe you just might be the one to set me free."

The teen pouted, "I'm not a kid."

The Pharaoh laughed, the deep voice sending a slight chill down the teen's spine, "With my age, everyone is a kid."

The teen tilted his head, "You don't look that old."

"I was twenty when I died, but as a spirit, I'm thousands of years old, kid." The spirit turned, "Now, follow me."

The teen followed the spirit deeper into his tomb, the slight glow from the spirit's body casting a light as they walked. Finally, the spirit stopped, standing in front of his sarcophagus. The spirit's eyes scanned the sarcophagus, his mummified body resting inside.

He turned to the teenager behind him, "You found The Puzzle, yes?"

The teenager nodded, showing him the golden box that held the shattered Puzzle inside, waiting to be put back together again, "Right here."

The spirit smiled, "Perfect." He gingerly took the box from the teen's hands. He opened the box, revealing the puzzle pieces sitting inside. Balancing the box in one hand, he snapped with his other, willing a floating table to appear from thin air. He gently placed the open box on the table before turning to the teenager, "Remember young one, if you lose, your soul will accompany me in this tomb forever, and if you win, I will grant you one wish using the blessing of the three Egyptian gods and you have also successfully set me free and into the afterlife. Those are the terms you have thought of and those are the terms we have agreed on." The spirit wanted to ask about the terms the teenager proposed to him, but hey, if the teen wins then he gets to rest and there was no way he was going to pass that up.

The teenager nodded, "A deal is a deal, Spirit."

The spirit didn't know why, but he felt like he should tell the teenager his name. After all, this was the first time anyone had offered him a chance of passing onto the afterlife. He gave the teen a small smile, "Please, call me Atem."

Atem was surprised; this kid was good. He was clever and confident in his moves and he passed each game with skilled ease. The teenager looked Atem in the eyes, a confident smirk on his face. Seriously? Was there any game, riddle, or puzzle he couldn't beat? And if there was, where is it? On one hand, he wanted the teen to win so he can finally get the rest he deserves, but on the other hand, the boy gave Atem a challenge, which only made the spirit actually want to beat the teen.

"Well?" The teen asked, "Last game is next, right?"

"Well, you solved the Millennium Puzzle in under thirty minutes, managed to beat me at Senet, Mehen, Aseb, and even a simple card game you had with you. You easily solved my various riddles with very little hints, as well. This last riddle will be our last game together. From there, the deal will go on as planned. Understand?"

The teen nodded, "Of course."

Atem held out his hand, "Before the last game begins, it's been a pleasure playing with you, kid."

The teen smiled, taking the spirit's offered hand and shook it, "Same here."

Yugi Mutou brought the warm sheets over his body more, not wanting to leave the confines of his comfortable bed. He curled up into a ball, sleeping away without a nightmare or bad dream. Beside his bed, a figure chuckled at the site, amused at Yugi's oversleeping.

"Young Prince," the figure spoke, gently shaking him, "you must wake up now."

Yugi swatted the translucent hand, "Five more minutes, Atem."

Atem shook his head, chuckling, "I wish I could give you five more minutes, but someone will come in here to fetch you and I know more than anyone else that someone from the staff waking you can be quite the pain."

Yugi groaned, pulling himself into a sitting position, "I'm up, I'm up." He yawned, stretched and rubbed his eyes, "Happy?"

Atem smiled, "I mean to get out of bed, Yugi."

Yugi gave the spirit a glare, "You were a prince once, then a pharaoh. You of all people should know that sleeping in a blessing."

Atem shrugged, "Can't argue with you on that, Prince." He gave the prince a small smile, understanding his point, "Still, you must rise. Your new bodyguard will be meeting you today. From my exploration around the castle, it seems like he's the best they have."

Thanks to The Puzzle being in Yugi's possession, Atem has the privilege of exploring the world around him as long as Yugi has the Puzzle. However, Atem's freedom comes with conditions. The two quickly discovered that Atem can't go too far without being held back. If Yugi is on the first floor of the castle, then Atem is only allowed to stay on that floor and that floor alone unless Yugi goes to another floor. When Yugi is asleep, Atem will go around the floor, listening to whatever new gossip the staff has or to simply people watch. If Yugi is busy with something, then Atem would either stay with him in the Puzzle or go off around the floor Yugi is on.

Atem is used to palace life and being from a royal family, but this castle and royal life Yugi knew was so much different from his own. Ever since Atem had joined Yugi, the spirit became curious to the world around him. After all, he was trapped in his tomb for thousands of years and he wanted to see the new world with his own eyes. Yugi became stumped on the last game but he refused to give up. Atem had grown rather fond of the teen and he didn't want him to stay stuck in the tomb without even finishing the game so, with the help of the Millennium Puzzle, Atem was able to accompany Yugi in his daily life and while he tried to solve the last riddle.

That was four years ago and Yugi was already twenty. Soon, the deal became less important as the two became close and started to really enjoy each other's company. Atem was able to understand Yugi's daily life and the stress that came with it, and Yugi was there to give Atem a friend after all these years of being alone.

Yugi looked through his closet, trying to find something to wear when there was a knock at his door, "Come in." Yugi didn't bother to look away from his closet.

"Prince Yugi," a maid spoke up, curtsying to the young royal, "we have drawn your bath and it is waiting for you."

Yugi looked at the maid and nodded his head, "Thank you." He smiled at her, "I will be there soon."

The maid gave another curtsy, "Of course, Prince. I wish you a 'good morning' as well."

"And same to you." He watched at the maid left his room, quietly shutting the doors behind her. He turned back to his closet, finding Atem holding a black silk button up with leather detailing on the bottom and sleeves, "That?"

Atem nodded, "I think it looks good on you, Young Prince."

Yugi took the article of clothing into his hands before giving Atem a curious glance, "Why?"

Atem shrugged, floating away from the closet, "Just thought you should look nice for your meeting."

Yugi turned around, facing the spirit, "And why is that?"

Atem gave him a cheeky grin, "Just because." He waved at the prince, "You'll thank me later." He added before disappearing into the Puzzle.

Yugi looked at the shirt before tossing it on his bed. He shook his head, "Silly Pharaoh."

"Tiny Prince." Atem shot back, speaking through their mind link.

Yami Attia studied his appearance in the mirror, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his gray button up. The Prince had requested for his new bodyguard to not wear anything too formal like the usual suit and he was quite thankful for that; suits weren't his thing.

New bodyguard, huh? Yami was nervous about the whole thing. Sure, he was the best they had, but he still couldn't help but freak out his new position. He had to vow to protect the Prince with his life now more than ever and he wondered if he was even fit for the job.

"You'll be fine, Yami."

Yami turned, coming face to face with Timaeus, head of security and the bodyguard of the King and Queen.

Timaeus gave Yami a small smile, "Relax, Yami."

Yami sighed, running a hand through his thick hair, "Why did they choose me? I'm pretty sure that I'm not fit for the job!" Yami started pacing, "I mean, who even recommended me in the first place?"

"I did." Timaeus answered, his voice firm and confident.

Yami stopped and looked at his superior with wide eyes, "You did!?"

Timaeus simply nodded, "I did." He approached Yami, placing his hands on the bodyguard's shoulders, "You will do an amazing job, Yami. You have continued to impress so many and of course, impressed me, as well. Prince Yugi will be in good hands."

Yami blinked up at him, "Positive?"

Timaeus smirked, "I would not say such words if I didn't believe them wholeheartedly, Yami." He nodded his head, patting Yami on the back, "Now, get going. You mustn't' keep the Prince waiting!" He gave him a wide, proud grin, "Good luck."

Yugi sighed, closing the door behind him. He kept his eyes glued to the marble floor as he walked. His mood had dropped since waking up that morning after this visit with someone dear to him.

Atem floated next to him, "How is he?"

Yugi sighed, "The same, but today is one his bad days."

Yugi's brother had been ill for around five years now and he had slowly gotten worse. Unfortunately, there was no cure for his illness and not even their royal status could help in finding one right away. Their father had ordered their best medical team to develop a cure but so far, each attempted was met with failure. That's why Yugi struck a deal with Atem; he wanted to use that wish to heal his brother. However, he never told Atem that and he wondered if he would even get the chance to. Of course, he loved having Atem around, but he wanted to help his brother and Atem belonged in the afterlife.

Yugi didn't want to be selfish.

Yugi stopped in the archway leading to the castle's foyer. He nodded to himself, pushing aside his upset mood, "Alright, Atem." He looked up the spirit, "Wish me luck."

Atem smirked, "Oh, Young Prince, I wish you great luck. Your new bodyguard is quite the looker, if I do say so myself."

Yugi's eyes widened and bright blush made its way onto his face, "Atem!"

Atem gave a hearty laugh at Yugi's reaction, "Relax, Prince! I'm just simply stating a fact."

Yugi rolled his eyes, "More like an opinion." He crossed his arms over his chest, "Gee, I tell you that I like guys and since then you haven't stopped trying to pair me up with someone."

Atem shrugged, "Oh well." He smiled down at the prince, "But really, Yugi. Don't be so nervous, I'm sure he's just as nervous as you are."

Yugi gave him a curious look, "You think so?"

Atem nodded, "It's a possibility. Now, get going, Young Prince. I shall be in the Puzzle if you need me."

Yugi nodded, watching as Atem disappeared into the Puzzle around his neck. He gingerly held the pyramid in his hands, a warm feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. Atem was the best. Sure, he teased Yugi quite a bit, but Yugi knew it was out of love. The spirit always knew how to lift Yugi's spirits and put him at ease. Not only that, but he gave the best pep talks when he need them.

The Prince nodded, looking into the foyer. He couldn't be nervous now and he knew that Atem would be there if he needed him. He gave the cool Puzzle a slight squeeze – his version of a hug to the former pharaoh while in the Puzzle – and made his way into the foyer, bracing himself for the new person that would enter his life.

"Good luck, Tiny Prince." Atem's voice rang in Yugi's mind, speaking to him through their mind link, "Just relax and everything will be fine."

Yugi nodded, "I'll try, Silly Pharaoh." He smiled, the silly nicknames for each other easing his nerves some.

"Good." Atem answered back, "Besides! If you fail this meeting in anyway, at least he's hot!"

"Atem!"

Atem laughed, "Just saying, Young Prince!"

Just to let you all know, Yugi's brother will be an oc and we'll meet him soon!