This was my first ever attempt at writing fanfic. I had a read through, and decided my grammar and punctuation was terrible! God only knows where my brain had gone. So I have been through and edited chapter one and chapter two.

Disclaimer: I do no not own Yugioh.

Life Beyond Egypt

The atmosphere on the journey back to the hotel felt strange, the usually chatty friends hardly said a word. There were no friendship talks from Anzu, no witty banter from Jonouchi and Honda, and the usually cheerful, optimistic Yugi just sat and stared off into space.

Yugi could sense Anzu looking at him, throwing him sad, worried glances every now and again. She was sitting very close to him. He clenched his hands that were resting on his thighs, into fists. He was going to miss his 'other self' Atem. What about his friends, would they still want to hang around with 'just' him. Maybe Atem was the only reason they even befriended him in the first place. All his old insecurities felt like the were starting to re-surface.

How would Anzu feel about him, now that his other self had gone? He knew how much Atem had meant to Anzu, her behaviour around him had been obvious. He wondered if she would have the same feelings for him. Of course, she had assured Yugi that she did have feelings for him, but the two of them sharing the same body was complicated. She was confused. They had tried to talk about it, but it was awkward. This, and Yugi's often low self esteem, was one of the reasons why they had never progressed their relationship beyond friendship. Maybe it was possible now, or would she blame him for sending Atem to the afterlife and reject him. Then again, would he just end up feeling like the consolation prize. Maybe now wasn't the right time to be having these thoughts.

He let out a loud sigh without realizing it. "Yugi" Anzu exclaimed sounding concerned. He looked at her and gave her a weak smile. She gently placed her hand over his clenched fist, he relaxed a little and took her hand in his. She responded by leaning against him and rested her head on his shoulder. No more words were spoken between them as they continued their journey back to the hotel they would be staying in that night, until their flight back to Japan the following day. But he did feel a little bit more reassured by her gesture.

Jonouchi and Honda both noticed the little display of tenderness between Anzu and Yugi, slight smirks crossed their faces "about time" Honda mouthed to Jonouchi, who raised his eyebrows and nodded, resisting the urge to say something smutty. They both hoped that at last their two friends might finally get together.

They arrived at their hotel, which had been reserved for them in advance by Ishizu, feeling tired, hot and sweaty. It had been a very long and emotional day.

"Man do I need a shower, I smell like a camels arse!" Exclaimed Jonouchi.

"Jonouchi! Don't be so gross." Anzu snapped in response.

"Yeah man, we had noticed." Honda sniggered, earning a playful shove from Jonouchi.

"Yes, well.. we can all go to our rooms, and have a nice shower and change of clothes, ready for supper." Yugi's grandpa added.

Yugi glanced at his watch. "They serve food from 7pm. How about, we all meet up in the bar at 7.15pm? That gives us an hour to get ready."

"Yep.. fine by me." Jonouchi marched off towards the lift, and pushed the lift call button.

"Anzu?" Yugi looked at her, and as her eyes met his, a slight blush appeared on both their faces. "Is that enough time for you to get ready?"

"Oh.. yes.. plenty of time."

The exhausted friends all trudged to their rooms. Yugi was sharing with his Grandpa, Honda and Jonouchi were in a room next door, Duke was sharing with Ryou. Their room was opposite Yugi's. While Anzu had a room on her own, being the only girl there.

Once in her room she quietly closed the door and went out onto her balcony. She could see across to a busy market square, with shops and bars for tourists. 'This was once his kingdom.' She thought to herself; wondering what he must have thought when he saw modern Egypt? The people are so poor! It's no longer the mighty empire it once was! He had never really expressed his thoughts. He had been too focussed on his duel with Yugi. I just wish I'd had more time with him. I never could tell him how I felt!

A tear tolled down her cheek as she looked up to the sky. "Oh Atem, where are you now?" She whispered, as if expecting him to reply. "Oh! Stop it Anzu. Don't be so silly!" Deep down she knew he couldn't really have stayed, he didn't belong in their time. He had friends and family waiting for him in the afterlife. She still had Yugi. She loved him, but she loved Atem too. Anzu knew her behaviour was unfair on Yugi. It hurt him, she could tell. But he was too kind and gentle to force her to make up her mind.

Sighing, Anzu went into the bathroom, and ran herself a nice bath. As she eased herself down into the warm water to soothe away the pain of her grieving, she resolved to be positive about her future plans, and prove to Yugi that she was worthy of him. After all that is what Atem would wish.

"I bags first shower!" Jonouchi made a dash for the bathroom, while pulling his clothes off and throwing them all over the floor.

"Whatever! But I get first pick from the mini bar." Honda reached in and pulled out a can of cola.

"Oi! Don't drink em all? Save me some?" Jonouchi said, slamming the bathroom door shut.

"Of course I will man." Honda chuckled to himself. Jonouchi hadn't noticed the complimentary biscuits on the dresser. Honda picked them up and strolled out onto the balcony to enjoy his little snack.

"So.. Yugi. How are you feeling?" Sugoroku was concerned for his grandson.

"O.., I guess." Yugi sighed and sat down on the bed, pulling his boots off.

"Really?" Sugoroku raised an eyebrow. "You've been very quiet since, you know, the Pharaoh, you know.. erm.. left." He stammered over the right phrasing, not wanting to say the wrong thing.

This just infuriated Yugi. "Atem!" Yugi snapped. "He had a name you know?"

This earned him a startled look. "Sorry grandpa. I didn't mean to snap at you.." he sighed. "Yeah. I will be fine." He said, trying to sound positive. "Life goes on. I have to finish school and think about my own future now."

"I am here for you Yugi. So are your friends. You do know that, don't you Yugi?"

"Yes, I know. Thanks Grandpa." After a short pause. "You know, when I finish school. I think I might study history and archaeology! After all, I do have the memories of a former Pharaoh in my head! So I kind of have an advantage." He gave an ironic laugh.

"Really!? He gave you his memories and knowledge of ancient Egypt?" Sugoroku was very intrigued to hear this.

"Yup, I can even understand hieroglyphics, and speak ancient Egyptian. I gave him my memories too. That way, we would never forget each other! Please don't tell the others though, I don't really want everyone to know about it. Not just yet."

"Wow!" "as all grandpa could say.

"Okay if I use the bathroom first?" Yugi asked.

"Yes of course. Go ahead."

Yugi stepped out of the shower. Grabbing a towel, he dried himself quickly, and rubbed his hair dry as best as he could. It always took ages to dry! Wrapping the towel round his waist, he peered into the mirror and proceeded to coax his hair into its usual pointy style. When he had finished he looked at himself. His posture was much better than it used to be, and he had definitely been growing a lot recently, he didn't have to look up to Anzu any more! That had been something he was really embarrassed about in recent years. His clothes had been getting way too small lately. His mum had complained about having to buy him a new school uniform when he only had a few months left until he graduated.

He put his face up closer to the mirror, he was even starting to get facial hair now too! Okay, so it was fine and downy, but enough that he had to shave every few days. He really hoped that now he was starting to look more grown up Anzu would fall in love with him, and not just see him as her wimpy little friend, who got picked on and teased.

He glared into the mirror, with his best attempt at an 'Atem like' expression. He was starting to get

pretty good at doing the 'If looks could kill' face. He smirked. Feeling pleased with himself he put some toothpaste on his brush and cleaned his teeth. He wanted nice, fresh breath, just in case he plucked up the courage to actually kiss Anzu.

He was suddenly interrupted from his thoughts by his Grandfather hammering on the bathroom door.

"Yugi! How much longer are you going to be in there?"

"Sorry Grandpa! Nearly finished."

He emerged from the bathroom. With the towel still around his waist, and gave his Grandfather an apologetic smile.

He quickly pulled on a clean pair of boxers, followed by a pair of lightweight stonewashed grey

jeans, and a dark blue, short sleeve button up shirt, with sort of silvery flecks running through the material. Anzu had chosen them for him when they went shopping for new clothes together, after his recent growth spurt. She would like him in these.

He put the finishing touches on his unruly, spiky hair, and then sat down on his bed. Fifteen minutes until they all met up for dinner.

Grandpa emerged from the bathroom.

"I think I will go down to the bar and wait. See you down there Grandpa."

"OkayYugi. No buying alcohol though! Remember your still only seventeen!" He chucked, remembering what he was like at that age.

Yugi rolled his eyes. "No grandpa." He had no intention of going to the bar anyway. He had plucked up the courage to go and see to Anzu.

Edited 16th Sept 2014