Just so you know, I have made it in this story so that the Hikaris are slightly taller than the Yamis in this story. Sorry for the confusion about the height difference.
Enjoy!
Chapter 2- Atemu Meets Yugi
Heba led Atemu through the palace.
Atemu was rather tense because he knew that the palace was full of vampires, and he could see the lust that some of the vampires had in their eyes when they would look at him.
Heba knew how worried about all this Atemu was, so Heba kept a tight grip on Atemu's hand as he led Atemu toward one of the wings of the palace. 'He'll feel better if I leave him in the lounge with Seto while I go and talk to Yugi for a moment.' Heba thought.
"Where are we at, Heba/" Atemu asked.
"While I go and talk to Yugi alone for a minute, you're going to be staying with Seto. You'll meet Marik and Bakura, too." Heba answered.
"Oh. Okay." Atemu said.
Heba could sense that Atemu relaxed a little when he knew that he would be seeing Seto.
Heba opened the doors to the lounge and walked in where Seto, Marik, and Bakura were along with Joey, Malik, and Ryou.
"Atemu?" Seto said in surprise.
Atemu smiled at his older cousin. "Hi, Seto." Atemu said.
Seto went over and hugged his younger cousin. "What are you doing here?" Seto asked.
"I brought him to meet Yugi. I'm leaving him with you guys while I go and talk to Yugi alone for a minute." Heba answered.
"Go on and talk to him, then, Heba. He'll be fine with us." Joey said.
"Okay. I'll be back in a few minutes." Heba said before he left the room.
"So, this is your cousin, Seto." Marik said.
"Yes, Marik. This is one of my younger cousins. Atemu, this is Marik and Bakura." Seto said, pointing to each one as he said their names.
"Nice to meet you." Bakura said.
"Nice to meet you, too." Atemu said.
"You already know Joey, but this Ryou and Malik. They're Bakura and Marik's mates." Seto said.
"It's nice to meet you." Atemu said a little nervously.
"No need to be scared of us. We're not the type that hurt people." Ryou said.
"Okay." Atemu said.
"I guess you didn't have such an easy time when you came into the palace." Bakura said.
"Not exactly. Most of the vampires that we passed just seemed to look at me lustfully, and I could see it." Atemu said.
"Don't worry. Since they saw you with Heba, they'll keep their distance. Everyone here knows that Heba has a real bad temper, and there isn't anyone here that wants to be on the wrong end of it." Ryou said.
"That, and while you're here, you'll be with one of the three of us or Heba, so there is no chance of anyone getting to you." Malik said.
Heba walked up to the door of his brother's office and knocked.
"Enter!" Yugi called.
Heba opened the door to Yugi's office and walked in, shutting the door behind him.
"Heba? Back so soon?" Yugi asked.
Heba was startled. "What do you mean?" Heba asked.
"I saw you leaving, so I assumed that you went into town to see your lover." Yugi replied.
"Well, I did. Why is it that you know everything?" Heba asked as he sat down across from his brother.
Yugi looked up briefly. "I know most of what goes on in my palace. Besides, I saw you leave through my window." Yugi said, pointing backwards at the window behind him.
"Oh. I guess that does make a bit of sense." Heba agreed.
"Why are you back so soon?" Yugi asked.
"Well, I wanted to talk to you about something." Heba said.
Yugi took the cue and put his work aside. "What do you want to talk about?" Yugi asked.
"Well, you know that I have lover, but what you didn't know was that I had a human lover." Heba said.
"I suspected as much." Yugi said.
"You did?" Heba asked, surprised.
Yugi nodded. "Heba, most vampires only go to town from the palace when it has something to do with humans. Besides, I could smell a human on you after you returned from town." Yugi said.
"You don't mind?" Heba asked.
"Heba, I have never cared if a vampire chooses a human as their mate. It is your choice. I have nothing against it. Besides, I wouldn't have allowed Joey, Ryou, and Malik to mate with humans if I have something against it." Yugi said.
"Okay. That makes this a little easier." Heba said.
"What else did you have to say?" Yugi asked.
"Well, before we mate, Atemu wanted to meet you and make sure that you had nothing against it." Heba said.
"I see. Very well. You can bring him here now." Yugi said.
"Are you not busy?" Heba asked.
"Heba, this is all stiff that I can do later. Go on and bring him here." Yugi said.
"Okay. I'll go and get him." Heba said before he got up and left the room.
Yugi mentally sighed. 'I guess this means there will be another mating ceremony soon.' Yugi thought.
Seto, Marik, Bakura, Atemu, and Ryou were laughing as Malik and Joey glared at each other.
"That wasn't funny, Malik!" Joey growled.
"Well, you shouldn't have started things." Malik retorted.
"Atemu, this is something you are going to have to get used to. Malik and Joey are always pulling tricks on each other. For that matter, Ryou will join them at times." Seto said.
Ryou shrugged. "It's fun at times." Ryou said.
Atemu shook his head. "Heba had already warned me about the pranks, so I kind of expected something like this." Atemu said.
"You learn fast to either ignore it or laugh at it." Marik said.
"Which do you choose?" Atemu asked.
"Most of the time, we laugh at them. There are sometimes that we ignore them." Bakura answered.
The door to the lounge opened, and Heba walked back in.
"How did things go with him?" Joey asked.
"Fine. He already knew that my lover was human." Heba answered.
"How?' Atemu asked.
"Well, for one, most of the time, the only reason that a vampire goes to town is if it has something to do with a human." Heba said.
"Along with the fact that Yugi could probably smell the human scent on you." Joey said.
"That would be the big thing." Heba said.
"What did he say about it?" Atemu asked.
"Nothing. He's fine with it. Come on. He can meet you now." Heba said.
Atemu nodded and followed Heba out the doors.
"How do you think it will go?" Bakura asked.
"It'll be fine. Yugi isn't a rude vampire. He's very fair and considerate." Malik said.
"He's just not kind and compassionate." Marik muttered.
"Don't start with that now. Yugi has reasons for being the way that he is, so stop with that." Joey said.
"Yugi won't do anything to scare Atemu. He's better than that." Ryou said.
"His cold demeanor is going to be enough to scare Atemu." Seto said.
"He'll feel a little better when he's told that Yugi is always like that." Joey said.
Heba and Atemu walked down the hall toward Yugi's office.
"Atemu. I'm going to warn you now that Yugi has kind of a cold demeanor." Heba said.
"Why?" Atemu asked.
"It's just how he is, so don't let it scare you. He's like that with everyone." Heba said.
"Even you?" Atemu asked.
"Yes. Even me." Heba answered.
The two arrived at Yugi's office.
Heba knocked on the door for a second time that day.
"Enter!" Yugi called.
Heba opened the door, and he walked into the room with Atemu behind him, shutting the door behind them.
Yugi was standing in front of the large window in the office. When he heard the door open, Yugi turned to find Heba walking into the room with Atemu behind him.
"Yugi, this is my lover, Atemu." Heba said as he pulled Atemu forward slightly.
Yugi walked around the desk to them. "It's nice to meet you, Atemu." Heba said.
"The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty." Atemu replied, not looking up.
"You don't have to call me Your Majesty. You can just call me by my name." Yugi said.
'Say what you want about Yugi, but he loathes the fact that people always refer to him by his title.' Heba thought.
Atemu was surprised by this. He hadn't expected for Yugi to ask him that. "As you wish, Yugi." Atemu said a little uneasily.
"Tell me. How long have you two been together?" Yugi asked.
Heba nudged Atemu, signaling that he was the one that was supposed to answer.
"A little over a year." Atemu answered.
"I see. I take is from the fact that you are here that you two are planning to go through the mating ceremony." Yugi said.
"Yes, we are, Yugi." Heba answered.
"Well, you two decide when you want it, and everything will be arranged." Yugi said.
"Okay." Atemu said, not sure what he should say.
"Atemu, do you have any family?" Yugi asked.
"Only my older cousin, Seto, and my twin brother, Yami." Atemu answered.
"All right. Unless you have anything else, Heba." Yugi said.
"No. I'll let you know when everything is." Heba replied.
Yugi nodded.
Heba opened the door, and the two left the office.
"Why did he ask about my family?" Atemu asked.
"He always does. It's nothing personal, but since we're on the subject, what will happen to Yami when you and I are mated? You'll be living at the palace then." Heba said.
"I really don't know. I haven't thought about that." Atemu said.
"Well, I can talk to Yugi. Maybe I can get him a job in the palace." Heba said.
"No. I can tell you right now that Yami wouldn't accept that." Atemu said.
"Well, we'll figure something out then. For now, we'll have to decide when our mating ceremony will be." Heba said.
"I don't know. I guess the sooner we have it would be better." Atemu said.
"Well, it'll take about a week to get everything ready." Heba said.
"All right." Atemu agreed. He noticed that a vampire had been following them.
Before Atemu could say anything, the vampire grabbed Atemu from behind, covering Atemu's mouth and pulling him back
Since Heba's back was to him, Heba didn't see this.
The vampire slammed Atemu against the wall and smirked at him.
Atemu was scared to death because there was no way that he could call out for help from anyone.
"You certainly are a pretty one. It would seem that Prince Heba has good taste, although I don't think he'll want you once you're tainted, but that'll be your problem." the vampire said as he reached fro Atemu's pants.
Atemu squeezed his eyes shut, praying that Heba would forgive him because Atemu knew that eh couldn't fight back.
Before the vampire's hand even reached Atemu's pants, a hand grabbed the vampire and slammed him against the wall.
Atemu fell to the floor, scared.
"What the hell are you doing?!" the vampire shouted, lashing out with his claws.
The claws caught Yugi in the face, causing blood to seep from the wounds on his face.
The vampire instantly paled.
"Atemu!" Heba called. He ran up and saw Atemu on the floor. He knelt beside Atemu and said, "Are you okay?"
Atemu nodded, too scared to do anything else.
"Guards!" Yugi called.
Two guards instantly appeared.
"Take this vampire to the dungeons." Yugi said.
"You can't do that. This pathetic human is not mated to anyone." the vampire snarled.
Heba growled, knowing that he was right.
Atemu's grip on Heba's hand tightened in fear of knowing that this vampire would get away with what he tried to do.
"That may be true, but you should remember," Yugi said, wiping the blood from his cheek, "but you lashed out at me and struck me. That is a crime." Yugi said.
The vampire's eyes widened as realization hit him.
"Take him to the dungeons." Yugi ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty." the guards agreed before they dragged the vampire off.
Yugi looked at Heba and Atemu and said, "Can I assume that you'll want the wanting ceremony as soon as possible?" He knew how protective his brother was of what belonged to him.
"Yes." Heba answered.
"I'll get started. I suggest you escort him home." Yugi said and walked off.
"Come on, Atemu. Let's get you home." Heba said.
Atemu nodded and let Heba lead him away.
Yugi entered the lounge where he found Malik, Ryou, and Joey with Marik, Bakura, and Seto.
"Is there anything we can do for you, Yugi?" Ryou asked.
Despite Yugi's cold demeanor, Yugi allowed Heba, Ryou, Malik, and Joey to be formal with him along with their mates.
"I need you and Malik to do something for me, Ryou." Yugi answered.
"Does it involve torturing someone?" Malik asked.
"Yes." Yugi answered.
"We'll be back later." Ryou said as he and Malik followed Yugi out.
"SO, what did this guy do?" Malik asked as the three walked down the halls.
"He grabbed hold of Atemu, Heba's future mate, and would have raped him had I not stopped him." Yugi answered.
"Damn it! I knew this would happen!" Malik growled.
"We can't legally torture him." Ryou said.
"You can't kill him. Yet. You see, I have these lovely marks on my face from where he lashed out at me." Yugi said.
Malik grinned evilly. "Which is something that you can punish him for." Malik said.
"Exactly. Do it. You can kill him after the sentencing tonight." Yugi said.
"All right." Ryou said.
"One other things. Is there a vampire that you trust not to harm Atemu?" Yugi asked.
"Yes. Otogi would. He already has Honda." Malik replied.
"Go with Otogi, and tell Atemu that he will be guarding him until the mating ceremony." Yugi said.
"Of course, but why?" Ryou asked.
"Because I don't want to deal with trying my brother fort eh murder of a vampire that raped his lover and future mate." Yugi answered before walking off.
"Damn. Cold much?" Malik asked.
"I guess the past still hurts." Ryou remarked.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Yami asked after hearing what happened.
"I'm fine. Thank to the Emperor." Atemu replied.
"I thought vampires couldn't be punished for that, although I'm glad he is." Yami said.
"For that, he couldn't, but when Yugi pulled him from Atemu, the vampire lashed out and his claws cut Yugi's face. Attacking the Emperor is a capital offense, and there is an immediate death sentence for that." Heba answered.
"What happens now?" Yami asked.
"The mating ceremony will be as soon as it can be. Until then, we'll have to hope nothing happens." Heba answered.
There was a knock on the door.
Yami went and answered.
Ryou and Otogi were waiting for them.
"This is where Atemu lives, right?" Ryou asked.
Yami nodded.
"Come on in, Ryou." Heba called.
Otogi and Ryou entered the house, and Yami closed the door.
"Otogi, what are you doing here?" Heba asked.
"Emperor's orders. I'm to guard your future mate until the mating ceremony." Otogi answered.
"Really?" Heba asked.
Ryou nodded. "Yugi said it to me and Malik." Ryou answered.
"Well, at least I know you'll be safe." Heba said.
Otogi noticed how apprehensive Atemu and Yami seemed. "You don't need to worry. I already have a mate, Honda. I'm in love with him, and I wouldn't think of hurting either one of you." Otogi said.
"Not to mention the fact that I would kill you, and I would hate to have to kill an old friend." Heba said. He turned to Yami and Atemu and said, "Don't worry. You'll be safe with Otogi here."
The two nodded.
"We should get back. Yugi's planning on sentencing that vampire tonight." Ryou said.
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow." Heba said, kissing Atemu.
Heba and Ryou then left.
"You don't have to worry. You'll be safe now." Otogi said.
"Thank you." Atemu said.
"No problem." Otogi replied.
"You going to be okay?" Yami asked.
"Yeah. I'll feel better once Heba and I are mated." Atemu said.
"What was the Emperor like?" Yami asked.
"He's kind of cold. Heba says that he's always like that. I don't know why. He was courteous to me, but I can't say much because I didn't see him long." Atemu said.
Otogi listened and sighed. He had been friends with Yugi and Heba for almost nine hundred years. 'If only they knew what the real Yugi was like.' Otogi thought.
Yugi sat in the throne room with Heba, Joey, Malik, and Ryou. "Bring in the prisoner." Yugi ordered.
Guards brought in the beaten vampire who had tried to rape Atemu and attacked Yugi.
"You are charged with attacking the Emperor." the head of the council said.
"It was his own damn fault! He shouldn't have interfered!" the vampire snarled.
Yugi's harsh glare had everyone in the room flinching. "You try to rape the future mate of my brother, Prince Heba, and in your anger at being stopped, you lashed out and attacked me. Do not try to blame me for your actions. I may not be able to punish you for what you tried to do to my brother's future mate, but you are not getting away with what you did to me. An attack against me is an immediate death sentence, and you are no different. You will die tonight. Ryou and Malik will see to that." Yugi said.
The vampire's eyes widened, remembering what they had already done to him. The wicked gleam that was in Malik and Ryou's eyes also scared the vampire.
"Get him out of my sight." Yugi ordered.
The guards drug the vampire out of the room.
"As it is late, this meeting is adjourned." Yugi said.
The council bowed as Yugi left the throne with Malik, Ryou, Joey, and Heba behind him.
"Heba, come with me to my office. Ryou. Malik. Deal with that vampire immediately." Yugi said.
"Gladly." Ryou said.
Yugi and Heba walked off.
Once in Yugi's office, Heba said, "What is it, Yugi?"
"Heba, I may have Otogi guarding your lover, but that won't be enough. I can have everything ready within three days time. Inform Atemu of that." Yugi said.
"So soon? It always takes at least a week." Heba said.
"Heba, I won't tolerate this. If the council would allow it, I would ban the rape of any human, whether they are mated to a vampire or not. I hate it, but I can't do much. It will be in three days." Yugi said.
"Okay. Thank you." Heba said.
Yugi sat down. "I'm rushing these plans to prevent a repeat of today. No one in the town would harm him, but I fear that vampires in the palace might. Take no chances. Otogi will remain until the mating." Yugi said.
"Okay." Heba said before he left.
Yugi sighed. 'It's better they be mated fast.' Yugi thought.
An hour later, there was a knock on the door.
"Enter!" Yugi called.
The door opened, and Ryou and Malik entered the office.
"Thought we'd let you know that the vampire is dead." Malik said.
"What took so long?" Yugi asked.
"Well, let's just say that we had a mean streak tonight." Ryou said.
Yugi knew he meant more torture.
"All right. See you in the morning." Yugi said.
Both bid Yugi good night before leaving.
'Atemu will be safe soon, but I'll have to deal with the council bugging me to get a mate of my own when I don't want one.' Yugi thought irritably. He stood up and headed to his room for the night.
"You think that you'll like living in the palace?" Yami asked as he sipped his tea.
"I don't know, Yami. We'll just have to wait and see. I just hate to leave you alone." Atemu said.
Yami waved him off. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. You know that." Yami said.
"I know, but you're an easy target." Atemu said.
"I've managed just fine, Atemu. You don't need to worry about me so much." Yami said.
"Well, all right. I think that we had better go on to bed.' Atemu said.
"I'll go, but I'll wash these dishes first." Yami said.
Atemu nodded and headed on upstairs.
Yami headed fort eh kitchen and saw Otogi. "Do you require anything, my lord?" Yami asked.
"No. I'm fine, and just call me Otogi," Otogi replied.
"All right. Thank you for what you're doing." Yami said.
"No problem. Glad to do it." Otogi said.
After Yami washed the dished, he headed upstairs to bed himself.
Otogi smiled. 'They're both nice. I wish Yami could be protected like Atemu.' Otogi thought before he settled down, planning to make sure that nothing happened to Atemu per Yugi's orders.
Hope you liked it. Sorry about the vampire trying to rape Atemu, but it's the way the society is. Vampires can have any human as long as they are not mated, and it doens't matter if a mating ceremony is planned. Only after the ceremony is the person safe.
Next: Heba and Atemu's mating ceremony.
R&R.
