Disclaimer: Nope—don't own Yugioh.

Author's note: short note—whoo!

Tsuki: Nothing important to say?

Anevay: … no, don't think so.

Tsuki: Okay…

Anevay: Is there something you know that I should know?

Tsuki: No, no, nothing.

Anevay: … anyway—ignore Tsuki, she's weird.

Well, only have Aqua girl 007 and fan person to thank for reviewing!

On to where we left off—or somewhere around there.


Arguing

Yugi was sure Atem was in trouble, he just didn't know how much trouble.

Who was Atem in trouble with?

Mana.

The man had been taken to the dungeons, where he was now locked away and under constant guard and protected by a few of Mahad's spells. Now, Yugi sat in the kitchen as Calpernia, the Palace cook, fussed over him. He had no mark like the Pharaoh's on his wrist, but he had been attacked, and strangely, Calpernia had taken a liking to him.

She fed him whatever food he liked, but he couldn't help wondering and worrying a bit about Atem. Mana obviously hadn't known about the mark, and from the look on both Isis and Shimon's faces, neither had they. Yugi was more afraid of Mana at the moment than Shimon, and Shimon could be pretty scary.

"Thanks, Calpernia," Yugi sighed, "But I'm stuffed now."

"Alright, dear," she said, "If you need anything, just come on in."

"Okay, thanks." Yugi left the kitchen, hoping to find Atem. It was heading to one of the gardens that he heard raised voices.

One was deep and the other rather high, but both were angry, the higher one more emotional than anything. Yugi hurried along faster, hoping to hear what was going on and jump in, but he realized he couldn't understand what they were saying.

They were speaking in Ancient Egyptian. Lovely.

Cautiously, he peeked around the corner. Sure enough, it was Atem and Mana.

They stood several feet apart, shouting angrily. Atem turned and paced back and forth while Mana ranted in Egyptian, trying to convince him of something. The Pharaoh shook his head, but Mana continued passionately, enunciating sharply.

Atem said something back, swiping arm across his body as an emphasizing point, as if to say: that is my final decision. There will be no more discussion.

Mana got in his face and yelled something, more emotional than angry, before marching away from him, huffing furiously.

Atem watched her go for a moment. He took a step as if to pursue her, hesitant, but, throwing his hands in the air in exasperation, he tromped in the opposite direction instead.

Yugi sighed, seeing the tense, tight line his friend's body made. The Pharaoh was in big trouble, alright. But maybe Yugi could help.


Atem was boiling.

He was more angry at himself than anything, but he couldn't admit that.

He paced around and around in the courtyard square, anger, worry and spite fighting for his attention all at once. His argument with Mana echoed in his head.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she shouted, "Why did you have to hide it from me? Where's supposed to be in this together! How am I supposed to know you're not hiding anything else from me?"

"I didn't want you to worry you! I was trying to keep you from, worrying about me more!"

"Atem, you worry me everyday! I worry about your safety, about everyone's safety—I'm supposed to! Not only am I your Guardian, I am your wife! That means we do things together!"

"Not if it puts you in danger."

"I have to be in danger sometimes. It's life! That's how it is! Just because you can protect me doesn't mean you should!"

"Then what am I supposed to do?" Atem replied, "If I lost you, there would be no point in continuing, Mana. If I can protect you, I'm going to."

"So does that mean you'll hide things from me just to protect me? How far will that go?" she demanded.

"You have to trust me—"

"Trust you? After you were hurt and didn't tell me? I want you to tell me things, Atem, not protect me. You can't protect everyone. You need people at your side to help you protect others. That is why I am your Guardian! Not only that, but Atem, I am your wife!"

He shook his head and turned away, pacing.

Mana took another shot at it. "I am your wife, Atem, and because I am and because you are my husband we do things together. We stick together. Why can't you just accept that? You can't protect me from everything. Eventually I'm going to have to stand up for myself and fight for you. You're my best friend, Atem, and I love you, but I will not stand for being kept in the dark!"

"Mana, I am the Pharaoh! It's my responsibility to keep my people safe! To keep you and everyone else in this palace safe and the World of the Living! I know you can take care of yourself, but I'm not willing to take that risk if I can do something, anything, to keep you safe and worry free. I didn't want to tell you—"

He got no further. "Oh, so you don't want to my own safety in to my own hands? I can handle myself!"

Atem swept his hand across his body in finality, "That is my final say on it, Mana! I won't have you put at risk. It's my responsibility."

"Well, fine, if that's the way you feel, then I guess you don't need me to protect you, Mr. I'm-the-Pharaoh. I'm done trying to convince you!" she shouted, crying now. She got in his face, "I guess you don't trust me!"

That stung him. Without another word, Mana turned and stomped away.

He had wanted to go after her, but his pride wouldn't let him, so he turned away and now here he stood, pacing and pitying himself. He buried his face in his hands, I'm such an idiot.

"Yes, yes you are," someone replied to his thoughts.

Atem groaned, planting himself on the bench. "You saw it?"

Yugi nodded, "Yeah, but I didn't understand it until you recapped it in your head. That's some argument."

"I can't believe I said what I did," Atem said in to his hands. "Yugi, what am I supposed to say? She won't talk to me now."

Mana not talking to him… he could think of no worse torture. The thought of not being able to lie next to her that night, to talk to her…

He visibly shuddered.

Yugi set his hand on the Pharaoh's shoulder, "Apologize. Tell her how much you care about her. She cares about you a lot—she has to forgive you."

"But what if she doesn't?"

Atem still hadn't brought his head up from his hands. Yugi rolled his eyes to himself. "Atem," he said to get his attention. When Yugi didn't continue, Atem looked up. "You love Mana, don't you?" Yugi asked.

Atem nodded.

"So tell her. Be honest. Apologize," he smiled slightly, "That's really all you can do, isn't it? If she loves you as much as you love her—and I know she does—then she'll have to forgive you."

Atem sat up and took a long, deep breath of air. "You're right," he agreed, more confident now, "I'll talk to her."

"Good."

Atem smiled fondly at his young friend, "Thank you, Yugi."

"Anytime, Atem," Yugi smiled in reply, "It's what I do."


There's another little bit of conflict! X)

I know, you must hate me. One cliffhanger last time and another one this time. Don't you just love 'em? (Don't worry, I hate them too. I just like writing them. Such fun!)

So, review! If you're at all confused about anything, go back and read THE AFTERLIFE, and things should be pretty clear.

Off to bed! I'm tired. Shee ya next time, peoples.

-Anevay