Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh

Yugi awoke bright and early on the morning of their trip. He had been anxiously counting down the days until he would get to go visit his village ever since Atemu had said he would take him.

Yugi ran into Atemu's room, he knew that it was still a good hour before morning rituals would take place, but he wanted to wake Atemu up. So when he ran into Atemu's room he saw that indeed Atemu was still fast asleep; so without missing a step Yugi ran the rest of the distance from the door to Atemu's bed, leaped into the air and landed on the unsuspecting Atemu, yelling "Rise and Shine Atemu-koi."

Atemu groaned as he slowly opened his eyes to come face to face with an extremely hyper Yugi. "Yugi, do you have any idea what time it is?" Atemu asked with a yawn.

"Yup, morning ritual will take place in about an hour. But, come on get up, get up. We need to make sure everything is ready so we can go." Yugi said as he bounced on Atemu's bed, the same way a child does on Christmas morning. Atemu rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up.

"Yugi, I checked and made sure everything was ready last night before I went bed. So, don't worry we'll leave right after breakfast." Atemu said.

"Okay Atemu-koi." Yugi said as he climbed off of Atemu, "Sorry for waking you up so early.

Atemu smirked as he wrapped his arms firmly around Yugi's waist in order to prevent Yugi from completely climbing off of him and pulled him in for a kiss and once he pulled away he said, "It's alright I needed to get up anyway, but for future reference I would rather you not tackle me while I am sleeping, because I might lash out and hurt you unintentionally, which is something I really don't want to do." Atemu said before pecking Yugi on the cheek and releasing him in order to climb out of bed and change into a fresh tunic.

"Alright Atemu, I promise I won't jump on you anymore." Yugi said.

After Atemu had gotten ready he turned to Yugi and said, "Well, I have some time before I have to go to morning ritual. Would you like to play a game of Senet to pass the time?" Atemu asked with a smirk.

Yugi smirked as well, or at least he tried to before saying, "Your on Atemu, and this time I'm going to beat you."

Atemu pulled out his Senet board and the two began to play. After 30 minutes of play Atemu had finally managed to beat Yugi, but it had been a close game.

"Aww, nuts, good game Atemu-koi." Yugi said.

Atemu smirked before he leaned across the board within an inch of Yugi's face. "Well, where's my prize Yugi?" Yugi smiled once he realized what Atemu was referring to and closed the distance between his lips and Atemu's. Atemu's tongue nudged Yugi's lips, asking for entrance, which Yugi happily granted allowing Atemu to explore every inch of his hikari's mouth. After a few minutes and the need for air became apparent Atemu pulled away, but not before giving Yugi another light peck on the lips.

Atemu then carefully put away the board and headed to the door, because it was now time for him to be heading to the temple complex for morning ritual. Yugi followed him, seeing as how he was already up there was no reason for him to just sit around and wait for Atemu to come back. Morning ritual that morning was not really that different from every other morning, though Atemu did ask the gods to ensure him and Yugi had a safe trip and that the priests had enough wisdom to make good decisions on his behalf while he was away.

After morning ritual came breakfast. Atemu and the priests had barely sat down when Yugi declared that he was done.

/Well, then I guess your going to sit there and wait because we are not leaving until I'm done. Though, I would suggest that you eat more than a pomegranate./

//Okay fine, but please hurry up.//

/Yugi, your village won't be swallowed by the desert if you take the time to eat your breakfast./

Yugi nodded and grabbed an apple and took a large bite out of it; turning to look at Atemu who was eating a bunch of grapes.

//Happy now?//

/Yes, I am./

After both Yugi and Atemu had finished their breakfast they headed out to the courtyard where three horses stood ready and waiting. Atemu helped Yugi climb up onto his horse, and once he was certain that Yugi was comfortable he climbed up behind him. Once Atemu saw that the guards were ready to leave he said, "let's ride."

After riding through the desert for an hour Yugi's almost sleepless night seemed to have caught up to him at last, as he drifted off to sleep. Atemu woke Yugi up about four hours later because they had made it to the Oasis.

"Well, someone was sleepy. I'm glad that we had decided that you were riding with me, otherwise you'd have fallen off." Atemu said with a chuckle.

Yugi still pretty tired just nodded, and let Atemu lead him over to the patch of trees. After they had sat down in the shade Yugi leaned his head on Atemu's shoulder and went back to sleep. When it was time to leave the Oasis Atemu carefully picked Yugi up and carried him over to the horses. He had one of the guards hold Yugi for a moment while he mounted his horse and then had the guard hand Yugi to him. And once he got Yugi settled and the guards were ready they resumed their journey to Yugi's village.

Yugi awoke a few hours later to see nothing but sand dunes for miles in every direction.

//Atemu where are we?//

/About and hour and a half from your village./

//Really?//

/Yes, you've been asleep for quite awhile now./

//Sorry about that Atemu-koi//

/It's fine Little One, I had no problem with you sleeping on me, especially since I knew that you were tired. Do you think that you'll be able to stay awake the rest of the trip?/

//Yeah, I'm sure I can.//

An hour and a half later they had finally reached Yugi's village. Yugi was so excited that Atemu could barely keep Yugi on the horse.

/Yugi if you don't stop squirming your going to fall. Now hold still./

//But Atemu, my grandpa's house is just up ahead.//

/And I'm aware of that, you only have to wait a couple of minutes but if you keep squirming you'll end up getting hurt and you know as well as I do that I don't want anything to happen to you, besides if you fall and hurt yourself you'll have to drink more of that pain medicine./

//Okay, I'll hold still but can't you make this horse go any faster?//

/The horse is going fast enough, its tired from carrying the two of us all day./

//Fine, can't you just stop the horse and let me down?//

/Oh Yugi for the love of Ra, we're at the village stables your grandfather's house is around the corner. You can wait a minute./

Atemu and Yugi dismounted their horse and Atemu told the local stable hand to make sure that the horses got plenty of food, water and rest. He also told the guards that they could go to the village pub and get something to eat and drink. And to meet him and Yugi back at the stables midday the day after tomorrow. After the guards both bowed and left Yugi asked, "can we go now Atemu?"

"Yes we can go now." Atemu said as they both began to walk towards Yugi's grandfather's house.

"Oh look Atemu there it is, there it is!" Yugi exclaimed as he ran two steps before Atemu caught his wrist.

"Yes, I can see it, but we are going to walk, now don't make me tell you that again." Atemu said.

"Okay." Yugi said rather dejectedly, that was one thing he had learned about Atemu when he used that tone that meant that he was dead serious and that Yugi would just make Atemu angry if he continued to press the issue. After what seemed like an eternity to Yugi, though in all actuality was only a few minutes they had reached Yugi's grandfather's house. Atemu knocked on the door, while Yugi jumped from one foot to another.

/Yugi will you knock it off already, you jumping around like that will not make your grandfather answer the door any quicker./

Yugi stopped jumping around and stood patiently next to Atemu while they both waited for Yugi's grandpa to open the door, though Yugi could not keep from fidgeting.

/Your just a bundle of energy aren't you?/

//You don't usually mind when I'm like this in the bedroom.//

/That's different and you know it Hikari. You know you are lucky that I'm not going to punish you for this./

//Maybe I want to be punished Atemu.//

Atemu just shook his head while Yugi glared playfully at Atemu, however, their conversation was cut short when the door opened and Solomon Moto stood there. Yugi pushed past Atemu and tackled Solomon to the floor.

"Grandpa, oh I've missed you so much." Yugi said as he hugged him tightly.

"Yugi, well this is a surprise. What are you doing here my boy?" Solomon asked as he hugged his grandson.

"Atemu brought me back so I could go to Malik's birthday tomorrow." Yugi said happily.

"That's wonderful my boy, Malik will be thrilled...wait a minute, who's Atemu?" Solomon said.

"Oh, you haven't met him yet?" Yugi asked as he let go of his grandpa, "Atemu don't just stand there come in." Yugi said.

Atemu stepped into the house and Yugi said, "this is Atemu, though you can't call him that, only me and a few others can, but you can call him Pharaoh, thats what everyone else calls him." //Hey, Atemu can't we just let everyone else call you Yami? It'd be a bit more informal.//

/No, Yugi no one is allowed to address me as Yami except you./

//Okay, hey it was worth a shot.//

/And I understand what your trying to do Koi, but that title, if you will, is something special between us...I am 'Yami' to know else BUT you./

As soon as Yugi had mentioned Atemu's title, everything seemed to click in Solomon's mind and he quickly dropped into a low bow. "My Pharaoh, it is an honor to see you again." Solomon said, making certain to keep his head low and his eyes on the floor.

"Please, stand Solomon. I hate to impose on you like this, but Yugi has assured me you wouldn't mind if we stayed with you tonight and tomorrow night." Atemu said politely.

"It would be an honor for you to stay here." Solomon said as he stood up.

"We can share my old room Atemu." Yugi suggested and before Solomon could object, though he had opened his mouth to object, Atemu replied,

"that would be perfect."

Solomon nodded his consent and proceeded to offer Yugi and Atemu food and drink. He appeared clearly stressed, and Atemu must have noticed because he suddenly said, "I'm tired from the long ride, unlike Yugi I didn't sleep almost the entire trip down, so if its quite alright with you I'd like to go to bed."

"Alright Atemu, I'll show you where my room is." Yugi said as he got up with Atemu following him. Once they had got to Yugi's room, Yugi wasn't surprised to find it exactly the way he had left it. Yugi walked in and sank down onto his straw mat. Atemu sad down beside him. Yugi glanced around his room and realized just how small and shabby it was with compared to the luxurious rooms in the Palace that Atemu had been born and raised in. "Well, this was my old room, are you okay with staying here? I mean I know its..." Yugi started to say.

"Little One, relax this is fine." Atemu said.

"But Atemu..." Yugi started only to have Atemu cut him off again.

"Yugi, its just fine. I wasn't expecting a lavishly decorated room, believe it or not I'm aware how uncommon those actually are. I have no problem with staying here, and neither you nor your grandfather have anything to be ashamed of. I repeat Yugi this is fine." Atemu said.

"Alright, so I guess you'll be wanting to get some sleep, so you can sleep on the mat, and I'll come in a little bit later and sleep on the floor. I'd like to visit with my grandpa a little bit longer." Yugi said.

"Yugi, why don't we both share your mat? That way neither of us sleep on the floor." Atemu said diplomatically, "and yes you can visit with your grandfather as long as you don't leave the house. It's dark out now and I don't want you wandering around outside without me."

"Are you sure about sharing the mat, it's kind of...small." Yugi said.

Atemu smirked. /I'm aware of that Koi, that just means that we'll have to snuggle up close together while we sleep. I can assure you that I have no problems with that./

Yugi blushed. "Alright, Atemu...and don't worry I won't go anywhere and I'll be back here in a little bit." Yugi said.

Atemu nodded as he laid down on Yugi's mat, making certain to leave Yugi a little bit of space for when he came back in.

"Good night Atemu-koi" Yugi said as he gave Atemu a kiss on the cheek. Atemu shook his head slightly before wrapping an arm around Yugi's neck, pulling Yugi flush against him.

"Now, what kind of good-night kiss is that? Let me show how it's done." Atemu said before pressing his lips to Yugi's. After a few seconds Atemu ran his tongue along Yugi's bottom lip before slipping it inside his hikari's mouth when Yugi parted his lips. After air became an issue the two parted. Atemu pecked Yugi lightly on the lips twice more before releasing him. "Now, don't take too long Little One."

"I won't Atemu." Yugi said as he got up and left the room.

/Oh, and one more thing Little One./

//What's that Atemu-koi, let me guess you love me, am I right?//

/I do love you Little One, and don't you ever doubt that. But, thats not what I was going to say. I was going to say that if you need anything I want you to wake me up./

//I will Atemu, I will.//

Yugi walked back downstairs to see his grandfather relaxing in the living room. Yugi was about to see his grandfather who appeared to have dozed off, when he saw a person with shaggy blond hair walk past his house. Yugi ran out the front door, though he did have enough sense to make the door didn't make any noise, after all he didn't want to wake up Atemu and Grandpa.

After he was certain that the door was closed he ran a little ways down the street before he yelled, "Jou."

The blond person he had seen earlier stopped and turned around, a look of complete shock on his face when he saw Yugi running towards him. "Yug." Jou said as he ran back towards Yugi and once he had gotten to him he gave him a giant bear hug. "Yugi, I thought I would never see you again; your gramps told me that you had to leave and he didn't think we'd ever see you again. How have you been? Where have you been?" Jou asked as he continued to squeeze Yugi.

"Jou. Jou! I'll answer your questions in a minute, but first can you let go of me. I can't breathe." Yugi said, but another thought was going through his mind, if Atemu sees bruises he's going to flip out.

Jou loosened his grip on Yugi, so that he was able to breathe, but didn't let go of him. "I'm not letting you go, because if I do you might leave again and not come back." Jou said.

Yugi took a deep breath, "Jou, I came back for Malik's birthday tomorrow. And after his party, I'm going to have to leave again. But, I don't think I'll be gone forever, Atemu said I can visit whenever I want as long as I let him know, just not once a week, because its a real long ride." Yugi said.

"So, you going to tell me whats going on, more importantly why you left." Jou asked as he released Yugi.

"Well, Jou here's the easiest way to put it, if I didn't leave on my 16th birthday with Atemu, I would have died. So, you could say I didn't have a choice in the matter. But really, I don't mind Atemu's really nice. You'll get to meet him tomorrow, he's asleep right now." Yugi said.

"Why would you have died Yug? I mean I didn't drop dead on my sixteenth birthday because I didn't leave home, so why would you've?" Jou asked.

"You know, I'm actually not sure about that I'll have to ask Malik, or Atemu. One of them should know. Yugi said.

"Why would Malik know?" Jou asked.

"Well, lets just say that he's going to have to leave on his birthday for the same reason I had to, but I can't tell you what that reason is." Yugi said.

Jou looked as Yugi for a minute before saying, "alright, so I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." Jou then released Yugi and began to walk away.

"Okay Jou, oh can you do me a favor?" Yugi asked.

Jou stopped and turned to look back a Yugi, "sure Yug, what do you need?" Jou asked.

"if you see Malik, Ryou, Honda or Anzu before I do, don't tell them I'm here. I want it to be a surprise." Yugi said.

Jou smiled at Yugi conspiratorially, "Sure thing Yug, you can count on me."

Just as Yugi and Jou were about he head inside for the night they heard something. "Jou, please tell me that was just the wind knocking something over." Yugi said, a small bit of fear leaking into his voice.

"Well, Yug I could tell you that but I'd be lying to you." Jou said as he stood in front of Yugi ready for a fight. And after a moment of silence Jou yelled, "Who's there? Show yourself!"

And out of the ally walked the five remaining members of Ushio's gang of thugs. All of them were larger than Jou and none of them were known to fight fair.

"Yug, make a break for the house while I hold these guys off." Jou said as he stared the thugs down.

"I can't just leave you here though." Yugi said, and then an idea hit him. I'll get Atemu to help.

//Atemu.//

/Whaaat? (yawns.) Yugi, where are you?/

//I'm outside just down the road from my grandpa's house.//

Suddenly a lot more alert Atemu replied, /Yugi I told you.../

//I know, and you can lecture me later, right now I need you help. Otherwise both me and my friend Jou will be beaten to a pulp.//

/(sighs) I'll be there in a minute. But, after I deal with this, you are in trouble./

//I know.//

And with that Yugi closed the link just in time to see Jou get kicked in the ribs and knocked to the ground.

"Jou!" Yugi yelled as he ran up to go and make sure that he was okay. But, that also drew attention off of Jou and onto Yugi.

"Look what we've got here boys it's Little Yugi." One of the thugs said, making the others grin eerily as they approached Yugi.

"L-l-leave us alone." Yugi said as he stood up and face the bullies.

"Oh, will you look at that. Little Yugi's telling us to leave him alone. I'm scared." Another bully said, which made the rest of the group laugh as the first bully shoved Yugi to the ground.

"Clearly he doesn't remember the way things work." the bully said as he kicked Yugi in the ribs making him cry out in pain.

Jou got back up when Yugi cried out and pushed the thug who had kicked Yugi, only to be hit in the head with a piece of wood by another bully.

"Now where was I before I was so rudely interrupted? Oh, I remember I was going to make Little Yugi wish he had never been born." the bully said with a sneer.

"Please don't." Yugi said, which just made the bullies laugh. The first bully picked Yugi up by his shirt and brought him down onto his knee making Yugi scream in pain. He was then thrown against the wall of a nearby building. As he was struggling to get to his feet he heard someone say.

"Leave. Him. Alone."

Yugi smiled, despite the pain he was in, that was Atemu. The bullies turned around to see who it was that dared to interfere. Too bad for them that was there last mistake, and just like Ushio they were concerned by the darkness.

Yugi leaned against the wall, and slowly slid down to the ground, his ribs and back were killing him. Atemu walked over to where Yugi was sitting on the ground. "Are you alright Little One?" Atemu asked, his voice was calm and gentle, and that surprised Yugi because he had expected Atemu to be angry.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Yugi said as he stood up, his hand resting on his side.

"Let me rephrase koi, how badly were you hurt? And while we're at it where are you hurt?" Atemu asked as he knelt down in front of Yugi.

"I'm fine, my ribs and back are just a little bit sore, that's all." Yugi said.

"Okay, I'll take a look once we get back to your grandfathers, where there'll be more light." Atemu said as he stood up.

"Wait, what about Jou? He's hurt a lot worse than I am. I'm not going to leave him here." Yugi said.

Atemu sighed and walked over to Jou, who was lying unconscious on the ground. He knelt down and checked him.

/He's going to be fine Little One. He'll just have a bad headache, that's all./

//But...//

/Your friend is strong. Trust me he will be okay, I'm more worried about you. Injuries to your core can be very serious, and in some cases deadly. Now, I'm going to take you back to your grandfather's house so I can see how badly you're hurt./

//But Jou...//

/No buts Yugi, your friend is already beginning to stir. I repeat other than a headache he's just fine. Now let's go./ And with that being said Atemu picked Yugi up and carried him back to his grandfather's house. Once Atemu set Yugi down on his straw mat he opened Yugi's tunic and began to gently feel Yugi's ribs. Yugi cringed when Atemu touched a spot that was particularly sore. Atemu then did the same thing to Yugi's back.

//So, what's the prognosis? Am I going to live?//

/Yes, your going to live Koi, you've just badly bruised your ribs and your back, but you'll be fine in a few days, a little stiff and sore, running will be painful, but other than that you'll be just fine./

//Okay, well if thats all then I'll be calling it a night.//

/Oh no you won't. We still are going to talk about you taking off like that, you could have gotten yourself killed./

//Atemu can you please just lecture me in the morning, I'm tired now.//

/No, I'm going to lecture you now. What in the world were you thinking? Do you have any idea how worried I was when you contacted me?/

//Look, Atemu I'm sorry okay. I saw my friend Jou, and I just wanted to see him. I didn't go far. I won't do it again. Okay?//

/I just don't want anything to happen to you Koi, I love you so much...I don't know what I'd do if I lost you./

//I'm sorry for making you worry, but you said it yourself I'm okay. And I promise I won't do it again. Now, I'm tired, and I can tell your exhausted, so can we please just go to sleep Atemu-koi?//

/(sigh) Fine./

//Oh, and Atemu?//

/Yes beloved./

//Thanks for rescuing me and Jou. We'd have never been able to get out of that mess without you.//

/Anytime Koi, anytime./ Atemu said before giving Yugi a kiss on the cheek and laying down, with Yugi curled up next to him, using Atemu's chest as a pillow and drifting off to sleep.

A/N: Alright, this should do it for chapter nine...chapter 10 will be Malik's party. As always please read and review.