AN: Whew! This chapter took a lot longer to write then I thought! A lot of characters to get their personalities in right, so it took more planning. And watching old Yugioh DM episodes to help out! This chapter, and chapter 10 were written together. I wanted to debut them with a little time apart though so it wasn't so long of a wait until Chapter 11 xD

Chapter 9: Prideful Emotions

Her hands fidgeted in her lap as the cool night air nipped at her fingertips. She was beyond nervous, a sign she didn't quite show a lot, at least not so obviously. Her breathing was heavy and quick, like she had just run a marathon before arriving here. Atem couldn't help but worry what she was so concerned about.

As he turned to look at her, she would look away quickly as if trying to formulate something to say and losing it at that exact second. He didn't want to push her, but it was getting late and he had a long day of work tomorrow.

"This is…hard" She finally let out as Atem chuckled to lighten the mood a little.

"I know…you're not the only one finding things difficult," He added as she sighed.

"I'm…sorry." Anzu began, leaning back on the park bench, "I had it completely thought out…and now I can't think of the words"

"You don't have to be so nervous…" Atem insisted, "…I'm not going to bite"

Anzu chuckled, "It's not…that. In fact, it's the opposite"

Atem turned to look at her as she looked out at the road as some late night bikers went by, "I wanted you to come back…The whole plane ride home, I wished Yugi hadn't beaten you…Selfish I know, given you were just trying to rid the world of the millennium items and god cards to save us but…I didn't want you to go,"

Atem wasn't sure what he should do and suddenly he began to feel nervous. They had been through so much together and this was the first time they got to sit down and talk since back at Battle City. So much he wanted to apologize for, and so much he wanted to say now he was the one tongue tied.

"Before you got back I…" Anzu breathed slowly to try and relax, "I couldn't stop thinking about you…or Yugi…you know that I…well, that you and Yugi…"

"I know, Anzu…I always knew" Atem nodded, the one thing he felt about Anzu since the beginning was her over powering feelings for himself and Yugi. He rested a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry for leaving"

"I…We missed you," Anzu nodded placing a hand over his, "I'm sorry…I didn't know what to say or how to say it…hearing you were back, I got scared…after Jou mentioned you were struggling with being here I had to come…I didn't want you to think that I…that we didn't care"

"It's alright," Atem nodded, "I missed all of you too…it just felt like, I needed to come back…there was a purpose for me too"

"A purpose?" Anzu turned to him, "What do you mean?"

"Just a feeling I can't seem to fully place…" Atem shook his head, "Thank you, Anzu…"

Anzu blushed and shook her head, "For my silly words?"

"For telling me you missed me…" Atem chuckled before looking up at the starry night sky, "I guess…I really didn't want to go either…"

"What?" Anzu asked, shocked by his response.

"I knew I had to, and I wouldn't risk anyone's safety otherwise…" He shook his head, "But a big part of me…saying goodbye to Yugi…all of you…I couldn't do it,"

Anzu smiled and rested her hand gently on top of Atem's on his leg. Atem wasn't expecting it and almost squirmed at the touch. Anzu's hands were freezing.

"How are you so warm?" She chuckled before removing her hand, "It's like the cool air doesn't even touch you,"

He smiled for a brief moment before glancing over at the Kame game shop only a block away.

"He missed you so much…you know?" Anzu asked as Atem looked back at her, "…I would say the most…out of all of us"

Atem sighed deeply as Anzu looked concerned, "What's the matter?"

"Yugi was hurt today." Atem blurted out causing even more concern from Anzu, "He was attacked…someone trying to steal the millennium puzzle and thought he still had it…"

"What…?!" Anzu gasped, "But Zorc and…"

"That's what I thought too…but he wasn't after it for that…but it's value in gold" Atem sighed, "If I was a second too late…"

"You saved Yugi?" Anzu questioned as Atem slow nodded, "Then why are you upset?"

Atem looked over at Anzu as she moved her hand from his, to his shoulder.

"You always do this…beat yourself up on what could've been," Anzu nodded, "You were there, and you helped him…that's enough."

"But…" Atem objected by Anzu shook her head.

"Thank you…for always looking out for Yugi" Anzu smiled before coughing quickly and changing the subject.

"What do you plan on doing…" Anzu said scratching her head, "You know, with your life…"

"Apparently not knowing is normal," Atem smirked as Anzu chuckled; "…I want to be there for Yugi. If the events of this evening means anything, it's that I want to make sure he's okay…"

Anzu's expression changed quickly causing Atem to raise his eyebrow. He wasn't sure what emotion she was feeling by this change and couldn't quite place it. She looked to be both a mixture of happy and sad at the same time.

She nodded with her eyes closed and stood up.

"Did I say something wrong?" Atem asked, trying to place what Anzu could possibly be feeling right now.

"No…well, No…" Anzu shook her head as she turned around, "I guess I knew too…"

"Knew what?" Atem asked standing up and reaching out to her only for her to chuckle and place a hand on his shoulder.

"I had…made up my mind even before I came here because I knew…it's a good thing," She smiled though her eyes didn't seem to match the expression, "I finally got into a professional Dance School, I'll be going there after graduation in the spring"

"That's great news Anzu!" Atem exclaimed, "I know it's your dream"

"Thank you Atem," She looked slightly relieved, "So far, you're the only one I've told…I know the others are just going to be upset,"

"Why would they be upset? It's been your dream since I've known you…" Atem smiled, "And you need to go for it"

"Because it's in North America…" Anzu looked down.

Graduation… Yugi had explained it to Atem though he never quite came to terms with it until he heard Anzu's words. Ishizu explained the countries and locations to him, and he knew how far that'd be. This event would happen in the spring, where everyone would start to find out exactly where and what they'll want to continue doing. He had been so wrapped up with understanding the simple things that he forgot all about it. Where did Yugi plan on going after graduation?

Anzu seemed upset at him becoming so quiet that she insisted she should go home as it was late. He always knew when she was upset, even without Yugi's mind backing up that feeling. He really had no words for her and just couldn't give her a better answer then his silence.

The next morning Atem woke up hardly rested. He dreamt of saying goodbye to the others all over again and it bothered him. He decided to dress himself in a comfy dress shirt that Yugi helped pick out for him as he was going to be at work rather late. Tonight was the unveiling of the Egyptian Duel Monsters Exhibit the eve before the tournament, yet all Atem could think about was what would happen in the spring.

When he entered the kitchen he felt his blood boil. His fists clenched and his teeth gritted as those calm purple eyes turned to look at him and smile. He hated when he smiled like that, after everything that happened and it just made him angrier.

Yugi tried to get a word out but all Atem saw was red. He walked up and with a quick strike knocked the man shaking Yugi's hand to the ground with his fist.

"A-Atem stop!" Yugi pleaded, grabbing hold of Atem's other arm so he couldn't continue.

"I…I deserve that…" the man said almost in tears, "I can't…believe I attacked a high school kid…over a hunk of gold…I really…don't know what I was thinking…Yugi, thank you so much for seeing me, I begged the officer to let me at least apologize…I'm so sorry…If I hurt you"

"It's okay…I'm okay. We all make mistakes! What's important is you understand it, and you apologized. That's good enough for me" Yugi said calmly, as Atem continued to shake with anger.

"You are…such a sweet kid…" The man said getting up and quickly bowing, "I'm so happy…I had a change of heart…I don't know what came over me, but I'm holding onto this feeling! When I get out of jail, I'm going to work hard at helping the needy!"

"That sounds wonderful" Sugoroku nodded placing breakfast down on the kitchen table, "A great goal"

"Despite…everything, I'm glad I met you." The man said before turning to Atem and smiling, "Thank you, for stopping me…I have to go now"

The man nodded before leaving the shop with the officer. Despite him being gone, Atem was still tense.

"Atem…it's okay" Yugi calmly said, "He was only here to apologize…"

"Seems convenient after he was being taken to jail…" Atem looked down at him, "Maybe trying to get a lesser sentence so he can pray on someone else"

"Atem! This isn't the first time someone has had a change of heart around us…what's gotten into you?" Yugi asked concern on his face, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." The famous words anyone says when they are indeed not fine. Yugi pouted and if Atem wasn't so angry he probably would've thought it was cute. Atem slumped into his chair and sipped his tea, raising an eyebrow as Yugi edged in closer.

"Come on Atem…smile" Yugi said, "Tomorrow's the start of the tournament"

Now he was going to pay. Trying to bring up the tournament to switch the subject, oh he was going to have to really owe him after that. Atem turned his head away from Yugi continuing to drink his tea. Yugi continued to contemplate ways to make Atem happy as Sugoroku chuckled at the act unfolding before him.

"Come on…I'll give you my bacon!" Yugi said waving a bacon strip in front of Atem's face, " Grandpa made an American style breakfast…and I know how much you like bacon…"

"Two." Atem simply stated causing Yugi to tilt his head only for Atem to point at his plate, "You have two, both or nothing"

"DEAL" Yugi chirped throwing the second piece on Atem's plate before hugging the former pharaoh from the side. Despite still being angry he couldn't help but smile at Yugi's enthusiasm.

Atem thought about his conclusions of last night and his fear of Yugi's decision. As Yugi playfully ate his breakfast and chuckled with his grandfather, Atem rested his head in his hand trying to think of a way of bringing it up. The feelings inside he felt were mixed but the conclusion was always the same, he wanted to be with Yugi regardless of where it was.

"You're doing it again…" Yugi said as Atem blinked and looked over at him, "Your thinking face…what's wrong? You said if I gave you my bacon…"

"It's not that," Atem shook his head, "Yugi…there's something…well, I want to talk to you about something"

"Really?" Yugi asked, "About what?"

"Well…" Atem couldn't believe he was becoming tongue tied again. He just had it planned out in his head only to fumble the opening words. He tried to relax and breathe calmly before continuing.

A chime was heard and Yugi smiled, "That must be Jou! Gosh?! Is it that late already?!"

"Yo Yug! We're going to be late man, where are you?!" Jounouchi called.

"Sorry Atem…rain check?" Yugi pleaded as Atem nodded.

"Best not be late" Atem smiled as Yugi gleamed and took off out of the kitchen in a panic almost forgetting his back pack on the way. Atem sighed as Sugoroku chuckled.

"Shut up…" Atem snapped, "It's hard then it looks"

"Apparently," Sugoroku continued to chuckle as Atem rolled his eyes and figured maybe watching television before work would be better than starring into Sugoroku's condescending eyes.

Chapter 9 end.

AN: again two part like chapter. I'm sooorrrrry. Really!