Tea swirled in front of the mirror, the escapades of the day before long forgotten along with her sudden head cold. The pale dress with green embroidered swirls danced around her legs as she looked at herself in the mirror, it was the perfect dress for Tea. An elegant yet simple and comfortable Sunday dress, she was also given a matching umbrella to block out the shade of the old summer sun. Summer would be ending soon, Tea couldn't believe it was already august, it would be the last time she could wear a dress this cool and loose. She bent down in front of the mirror to gaze at her face, everything had to be perfect for today, she wasn't sure why but she felt it was going to be a day of many events and she had to be perfect for Yugi.

Speaking of which, Yugi had been standing in the main hall for a good twenty minutes before Mai had gone to collect Tea. If the gathering was at noon Yugi found it unnecessary to rise at eight this morning and he had yawned about sixteen times. He knew this because Yami had been counting since breakfast. Not only was Yugi's tired behavior suspicious to Yami and to Solomon but also was a sudden shame like quality. Timid and shy he acted towards Yami who seemed to stand awfully close. Gozaburo frowned, something he'd been watching for the past twenty minutes as well. Yami said something inaudible to the room but Yugi had let out an echoing laugh, sweet and youthful. Yami smiled in return at his most likely snide comment to Yugi. Gozaburo frowned again the more he saw of this Yami character the more he was displaced by his presence.

Tea hopped down the stairs, her new dress glittering in the sunlight that splashed through the windows sending every beam of light to glitter of the bead of her gown. Yugi left Yami's side and went to her taking her hand as she stepped of the last step. When her hand embraced Yugi's Yami couldn't help but feel a small burn of jealousy.

"Just because I was under the weather for a few days Yugi, didn't mean I wanted you to get me a new dress." Tea blushed bringing her shoulders up. "You're so sweet."

Yugi had figured it was something his mother had done when he was training, to show Tea he hadn't lost interest in her, for the family's sake "It looks beautiful, my lady."

"Please, I am no beauty." She told him humbly.

"My princess even a winter sunrise cannot rival the glow in your eyes-"

Tea released her hand from his "Now my lord that is quite enough."

Gozaburo came protectively to his daughter "Indeed it is. And I believe Solomon has arranged a meal for us in the garden."

Solomon gestured everyone to the door "Indeed I have please come follow."

As the family followed each other off the patio and into the garden the sun danced playfully behind them, aimless clouds sketched the sky with white and puffy shapes. The emerald grass Yugi had come to know in summer was drying, turning a hue more peridot description, as he was observing his surroundings he hadn't noticed that the family had paired themselves off into twos. His grandfather led them through the hedged passage, through old ceilinged columns and by fountains and pools with Gozaburo by his side. Behind him stood Seto and Yugi's mother beside him, her hands together at her front, her eyes away to the sky, the birds, and the trees. Mai followed behind her son and Yami behind Yugi's mother. Yugi noticed during the silence that Yami's gaze was far away, as if glazed over by death or boredom and Mai's eyes were fixed on Yami, her head faced the path but her eyes- Yugi could sense she was staring at him since he stood behind her and her long flowing blonde hair prevented him from seeing her line of sight. Tea stood beside Yugi and behind Yami, but was distracted by feeling the netting of her white and green dress. She was very pleased with it and every now and then when Yugi would look at her she would gaze up and smiled happily at his gift to her.

Solomon's voice could be heard but only slightly as Gozaburo shared in a delightful conversation, the two of them chatting on like that made it hard for Yugi to hear what Mai was saying to Yami.

She turned her head to him, flashing her ruby amethyst eyes to Yugi's view "I wanted to apologize for yesterday Yami, it was truly inexcusable on my part, and as a Queen placing you in that position was very unfair- I do not believe I was in my right mind. I do apologize."

Yami turned his head when he heard her deep and sultry voice "-Of course. No apology is necessary my lady, I am only glad that you are feeling better."

When Mai's head turned and face the other way again, Yami involuntarily looked back and Yugi. His expression filled with worry- his big bright eyes made Yami feel terrible that he hadn't told Yugi of what happened. Yami felt guilty as he looked at Yugi but found himself shrugging digging himself into a deeper and darker hole of lies.

About an hour or so after the family's brunch they had decided to take a slight walk round the beautiful little four ponds all facing the opposite directions, the table being in the middle of the hedged off walkways.
Tea sat on the stone ledge running her fingers over the blue water of the nearby fountain and Yugi approached her, she looked up at him, the eyes of a thousand ocean waves glittered back at him. Looking at Yugi's wholesome face she felt a little overwhelmed, Yugi's kindess, the things he said, his honesty, his purity. No one had ever talked to her like he had. Tea placed her hands between her knees and felt inwardly that perhaps this nervous fear she was feeling was really…love.

Yugi leaned his shoulder into one of the columns that sectioned off the south westernmost corner of the sitting area.

"My lady, I have a gift for you,"

"Another? I do not wish to be so endowed."

Yugi smiled "this you need my lady."

Tea watched him push off the column and sit by her side. His delicate and ivory coloured hand reached into his pocket and he pulled out a velvet box. He set it next to her knee and she looked up at him.

"If we are going to be wed, you're going to need this."

Tea picked up the box carefully and opened it lightly- her breath was taken from her very lips "Oh my word. Yugi, this is beautiful. I don't want to accept this- I cannot."

"My mother told me my father gave it to her, and I'd like to give it to you. Even though, I've seen the uncertainty in your eyes, if you do not wish to wed me after all I would like you to keep it, it suits you."

Tea looked right at him, into his eyes- into his soul. She wanted to hug him, hold him. How did he know she was so uncertain how did he know that this wedding plan may not go through. She touched his hand, not sure what else to say- she felt tears sting her lashes, she was raising her arm to bring him into a hug when suddenly there was a splash and loud female cry.

Mai was back first in the pond, Yami straddling her waist. As she cried and shielded herself from Yami's raised hand she tried to pull back but her hand slipped off the tiles and she supported herself up with her elbow almost shoulder deep in water. Her voice carried.

"Help me hurry!" Mai cried out, "Help me-"

Solomon and Gozaburo were the first over and with a painful grab Gozaburo snagged Yami by the arm and pulled him off of his wife. Yami felt like an inhuman force had thrown his soaking wet body into the air. Solomon jumped into the pond, attempting to assist Mai.

"What happened?!" Gozaburo asked crushing the knight's wrist in his iron hand. Yami eye's flinching-

Yugi was on his way over when he felt the pain in Yami's wrist.

Mai stuttered, crystal water dripping down her hair and across her collar bone."I don't know! I don't know-I was passing by-" she stopped and chocked on tears "and Yami got violent suddenly!" She squirmed and cried out again "Help me please!"

Gozaburo released Yami and picked up his wife in his arms.

Yami climbed back over the bench that separated the water from the stone pathway and as he stood their soaking wet, he couldn't help but look over to Yugi who was joined by Seto and Yugi's mother as well as all the outdoor guards that had heard the screaming.

When Gozaburo had sat Mai down on the bench to recuperate, Yugi's mother had gone to her side, wrapping her Sunday shawl around her shoulders. Tea had also joined her mother's side as Gozaburo approached Yami.

Yami knew he was powerless as the wall of a man stepped forward. He felt like a ton of bricks hit him when Gozaburo backhanded him. Yugi flinched, involuntarily twitching his body as if it were he who was struck.

"Guards!" Gozaburo shouted.

Yami was on the ground, his hand supporting him, his cheek already bruising. He coughed.

"Your majesty, I beg of you, please, you must let me explain-"

"Silence!" Gozaburo found his voice uncontrollably angry. "How dare you- Laying your hands on my wife- a queen. There is no shame in the likes of you."

"It was an accident!" Yami found his voice just as angry as Gozaburo's

He inhaled deeply- purely shocked "You dare raise your voice against royal blood?! Guards, dispose of him."

Yami's anger was deeper then the pits of hell, but he held back, thought of Yugi, he closed his eyes "My lord if you'll just let me explain this truly was a misunderstanding."

Solomon stood by Gozaburo "My lord-"

"No! You saw him Solomon; this peasant blood touched my wife. I shall not have it-"

Solomon looked away from Yami. He knew that Yami would never compromise the trust he had in this family. Gozaburo did not know him and nothing would change his mind.

The guards had brought themselves over Yami, even Tristan had one of Yugi's arms tightly clasped. "Your highness- the punishment?"

Gozaburo frowned "Death-"

Yugi felt like he had been shot with a thousand arrows and now could no longer hold his tongue "Now my lord, please wait just a moment. There are no witnesses to Yami's crime- I do not believe a wise and noble king like yourself should be branded as unmerciful. Please your highness, you do not know if Yami is innocent, an unfair punishment does not fit his supposed crime."

Solomon shot his glance over to Gozaburo "Your highness, my grandson has a point. No one saw what Yami had truly done-"

Gozaburo frowned, and stood up straight and tall "And I shall not believe my own wife?"

"She could be in shock your highness." Tristan felt himself saying, the life of his friend in his arms, literally.

Gozaburo looked over angrily at Tristan, as if he- a mere guard- knew what was going on. Gozaburo knew why Yugi defended Yami. They looked so much alike he had to be secretly his brother or maybe a lover. What a disgrace. Although… he could kill two birds with one stone.

Yugi went over to Gozaburo, kneeling at his feet "Please your highness, I beg of you that there be no more bloodshed between our lands. There must be another tone of payment for his actions."

Gozaburo looked around him, everyone was a fool. It wouldn't surprise him if Tea was the next to request the sparing of Yami's life. Even Solomon had gotten glimmer of worry in his eye for his prize soldier. Gozaburo placed his face into one of his palms and grumbled loudly "Very well. Take him to the dungeon, the boy shall receive twenty lashes and his training with Prince Yugi will be suspended for a fortnight."

They all stood in silence- it was better than death. But Yugi had a feeling that Gozaburo had a slight idea of his relationship with Yami. The way he looked at him, like he knew.

Gozaburo helped Mai to her feet "Yami will receive his lashes this evening. I must attend to Mai in the mean time."

Yugi looked at his grandfather. Solomon hated it when Yugi looked at him like that, he could hear Yugi's pleading thoughts of mercy and pushed it aside, his head turning to the guards "Take him away."

Tea and Seto followed closely behind their father as they carried Mai into the house, the guards with Yami followed not long behind them.

Instinctively Yugi's mother went to her son and with gentle words she spoke "I know Yami is innocent and what you did was very brave Yugi. Your words and your wisdom changed Gozaburo's mind. You saved Yami's life."

Solomon smiled "You did the right thing Yugi, although Gozaburo might not see it that way, he will in time."

Yugi couldn't reply, he didn't have anything left to say as he watched them disappear into the house. Now that Yugi had a quiet moment to think about it- was Yami really innocent. The way Mai spoke to him earlier, the way she'd been looking at him since the very beginning. Could Yami really have tried to take advantage of her? He was late the day before and Yami was never late, not when Yugi was involved. Yugi felt terrible on the inside, Yugi may have won that battle against Gozaburo but he doubted that he would win this war.

The moon had risen quickly and Yami was taken from his cell and moved into a bigger, torch lit room. There was dried blood on the floor from ages passed and long chains draped down from where the ceiling met the wall. The walls in the light were a brownish yellow colour- the colour of ancient. Yami felt sick- he wasn't going to be killed but he knew what was in store for him, Gozaburo was going to make Yami wish for death. Where was his honor now?
That's all you're concerned about? You're honor? Yugi practically laid his life on the line for you today. You- the ungrateful bastard who never appreciates him or even tells him the truth. Yugi deserves the truth, Yugi deserved the world and perhaps you should die for the crime you didn't commit, save everyone the trouble. Now there is your honor, Yugi saves your life and that is your thanks. Although he may have saved you, we may never be what we wanted- he sacrificed what we could have had- for my life.

Yami looked up from the floor, a heartbroken expression across his face and the only other person in the room was Tristan standing guard.

"Don't ask me to let you go" He said "I would- in a heartbeat. But then it would be both are heads."

"I wouldn't ask you to" Yami said "I'm going to live- even if it is a just false accusation." He hung his head, eye returning to the floor, and under his breath whispered "Yugi saved my life…"

A silence passed between them and footsteps echoed into the hall. The iron doorknob turned and Solomon led Gozaburo into the room with Yugi following closely behind. Gozaburo had decided to add a twist into his demand. Yugi must watch the punishment- as part of training. Solomon nodded at Tristan to begin as the door shut loudly behind him.

Tristan approached Yami and held out his hand "Remove your shirt."

Yami looked into Tristan's eyes- as hard as stone. Yami looked down and pulled his shirt off his shoulders and placed it into Tristan's waiting arms. Yami felt the room was cold suddenly and as he fixed his gaze on the royalty he looked shamefully at Yugi who was squeezing his own arm in horror of the situation.

"Turn around" Tristan ordered, he had only done one of these before and prayed he'd never have to do so again. He placed his hand on Yami shoulder and walked him to the far wall; he pushed him forwards knocking him onto his knees and then reached up for the chain.

He locked Yami into place with the cuffs that would keep his arms raised into the air and waited as he heard Gozaburo shifting. The Kaiba lord removed his jacket and picked up one of the buckets of water they kept in there. With a firm grasp on the rim of the bucket he tipped it forwards allowing the water to travel through the air and splash Yami's back with a thousand needles of cold icy water. As it hit his back and poured over his shoulders he gave a cry that Yugi had never heard before. Tristan handed Gozaburo the whip that rested on the wall and stepped back. Yugi swallowed thickly and stood near the door, unsure if was going to be able to watch the scene.

Gozaburo paced forwards and brought his arm back, the sound of the leather hitting the floor before the man brought his arm down. Yami could hear the sound of it cutting the air and then heard nothing but pain. The sting of the first lash was unbearable- Yami brought himself forwards, and tried to move about anything to stop the sting- the pain.

Yugi was horrified, as Gozaburo drew his arm back again Yami's skin had already split where Gozaburo had hit him. Blood poured out of Yami's wound and mixed with the cold water that trickled down his back. Now cold, wounded and screaming Yami was truly being tortured and so was Yugi. He had brought his hands up over his mouth and watched as Gozaburo drew back his arm for a third and a fourth. Each whip crack followed by an agonizing scream and painful whimpers. Yami's hands had wrapped around the chains to grip them as his back was torn apart.

Solomon was watching Yugi during Gozaburo's onslaught. Solomon closed his eyes and place a hand on a disturbed Yugi, through the echoes of screams in the room he told Yugi to excuse himself- he had seen enough. Yugi left without saying anything and crumpled outside the iron door, feeling his stomach clench Yugi wasn't sure if he was going to be sick or not and as he kneeled he covered his ears- but he could still hear him. Cries, mournful cries of sheer and utter pain and there was nothing Yugi could do but cry.

Yugi sat in his room; his fingers hadn't been able to stop fidgeting. After retreating to his dark bedroom he had heard mumbled voices from a distance, although he hadn't been able to decipher what they had said it worried him. Yugi was feeling so afraid- he didn't trust Gozaburo at all. While Yugi was waiting in his room completely powerless he could have killed Yami out of an uncontrollable rage for revenge. He wanted to believe Gozaburo wouldn't but Yugi had to be sure. He peered out through his window, thunderous clouds hovered over the glorious moon hiding its light from the sky and boomed in the distance condemning Yugi for already thought out actions. Like his sins were coming to get him. He breathed deeply attempting to calm his nerves and he fought himself to the door. Without making the slightest noise he poked his head out of his bedroom and when he knew there was nothing but the echoes of emptiness he slipped out of the corridor and journeyed to the steps.

As he slithered silently down the steps and passed the dining room- he heard the slightest hint of another voice. The prince stopped just passed the door and leaned up against the wall as far away as he could- as long as he remained in ear distant of the private conversation- as to ensure his escape into the darkness. Yugi damned his own curiosity but felt it was his purpose to listen in. and he did.

The sound of a smash against a table came first, followed by what sounded like paper being crumpled.

"This wasn't part of the deal!" A raspy voice said, thick and British.

"Lower your voice!" Another voice, gruffly snapped, and sounded very much like Seto to the prince's ear. "You insolent fool- do you want your money? Do you want everything I offered you? Do you want your life back?" There was a slight pause and Yugi heard Seto push his company into the moveable wooden table "Then you do as I say or I will strip you of everything you own."

The man unknown spoke again "You never said anything about her-"

"She's become a nuisance, something I cannot afford at the moment." Seto said "Here- Five thousand in full. You get the job and you get the rest later. A good faith payment- is that clear?"

"Crystal-"

Footsteps were heard coming towards him and Yugi dashed towards his intended destination, hiding in the shadows beside the dungeons staircase. He turned and hid behind the door praying the midnight visitor would not come his way. The footsteps stopped outside the dining hall doors and turned towards Yugi's direction. As the footsteps got louder Yugi felt his stomach launch into his throat- he froze. Every muscle had been paused in time and Yugi had nowhere to run. Closer and closer the steps came and then they stopped. The sound of the door leading to the balcony opened and shut. The visitor had come and gone like night and it was as though nothing had happen. Yugi let escape a breath he had held in and continued down winding staircase.

Yami had lost the energy to do anything. How long was he to remain like this? With him arms up stringed up above his head, bleeding from the cuffs digging into his wrists and hands. Yami could barely keep his eyes open any longer he'd been fighting to stay awake- to keep himself conscious. If he fell now he might never wake up and breaking Yugi heart was a priority he would never consider. He felt like hell, an obvious understatement, his back was mauled chewed; god only knew what kind of infections he could get if he was not medically treated. Being left bleeding in a cold room ashamed of himself felt more painful then every blistering whip lash. Yami shut his eyes- just for a moment. He was so tired; thinking of being tired made him more so. His aching body shifted and he moved his cramped knees into a new position. He grunted slightly and closed his eyes again, just for a minute. He was so very tired.

Yugi pushed his shoulder into the heavy wooden door and after closing it behind him he found himself horrified of the image before him. The bravest and strongest of men turned into this weak emasculated figure before him. Yugi felt too scared to go to him. His arms and back soaked with blood just beginning to dry, his head limply turned, hanging off to one side. Yugi was afraid to find out if Yami had left him here alone on in this cold world. Yugi took a few steps in and found his curiosity threw him to the wall faster than he had ever moved. Yugi's hands hit the wall and he slipped between the wall and Yami. Yugi's needy hands climbed up to his face, Yugi felt the weight of the world lift off him when Yami still felt warm. The prince pulled on his teachers neck, pulling him back into reality.

"C'mon Yami, Wake up now." Yugi pleaded, placing a hand on his cheek "Come on, come back to me. Yami. Please."

Tears could no longer be held at bay and Yugi felt his welled up eyes release a flood of emotion. A single tear felt right off and dripped onto the floor.

Yugi clenched his voice and his hands, turning suddenly angry although unable to hold in that anger. "Wake up! Yami- I don't want to be left alone."

There it was, that powerful sigh. Yami's eyes clenched and his eyes fluttered open, only for a moment and he whispered, lips parting slightly.

"Yugi."

"Oh thank god!" Yugi exclaimed and bestowed on his teacher magical pecks on his face and neck.

"Yugi…" Yami said, his voice so fluid "Yugi, I'm so tired."

Yugi went around him and found the pins at the top of the chains connecting to the wall. He pulled one out and Yami's hand hit the cement floor and he slanted from the weight of his body and gravities luring pull. Yugi went to the other pin and slipped it out of its holster and snagged Yami's arm lifting him so he would not fall.

When Yugi had gathered Yami's body he rested him against his legs and took a cloth he had hidden in his pocket and dipped it into a nearby water pail. He brought the cloth to Yami's back and opened it as wide as it could go covering one of Yami's shoulder blades. He did the same for another cloth he had hidden.

"Water feels nice." Yami uttered, his face pressed into Yugi's legs.

Yugi stroked his hair "I think you should sleep. I'm going to try and clean you up a little okay."

"Don't cry Yugi" Yami stated, his voice sleepy.

Yugi smiled and cleaned his back with as many light and gentle strokes as possible near the split skin. Each wipe of the cloth lulled Yami into a deeper and deeper sleeping state, until Yugi moved him when his back was taken care of.

"You're going to get in so much trouble" Yami said as Yugi leaned him up against the wall.

"You're supposed to be sleeping." Yugi reminded him wrapping the rinsed out cloth against his wrist.

"So are you." Yami returned, a small smile appearing in the corner of his lips.

"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault."

"No it isn't Yugi." Yami said limply raising his arm to place it behind Yugi's head. "Don't ever think this was your fault."

When Yugi inched closer, he placed his forehead again Yami and remained silence until Yami shifted in place.

"You should go." Yami said, his officer voice leaking out "If anyone sees you, they'll probably kill me." He paused for a moment to notice Yugi and he cracked a smile "Don't look at me like that."

Yugi watched the smile disappear from Yami's lips and he raised a weak arm and pushed it against the prince. Yami used no effort to push him back but Yugi felt the jolt and he toppled over slightly.

"Go on-" Yami ordered "Don't worry about me. I'll see you later- I promise."

And with that Yugi noticed the lightness in the sky and fled into the diminishing darkness of the castle- to wait for the day to tag him with that meaningless title. To wait for his morning routine and greetings of fake smiles. To wait once again for him.