Author's Note: Super quick update FTW!

You know, every update I make, there's an anonymous reviewer called "kate" who reviews: "Please put up chapter so-and-so soon and hurry." And, it's not just on my story. I see this reviewer EVERYWHERE. She's like the Where's Waldo of FanFiction; she's everywhere. But what I like about her is, even though her reviews are not... the most original... she still reviews! Every time! I think we should all follow her example. :)

So, this chapter is dedicated to you, kate, wherever you may be in FanFictionland!

Perhaps, just for fun, I'll take the best review I get this chapter and dedicate the next chapter to 'em... Yeah, let's do that!

Have fun reading! (and reviewing!)

Chapter 10

Yugi went to her chambers but couldn't find Atem. She quickly dressed and began searching everywhere for him. Of course, her searching was just calling out his name, which was not the most reliable way to find someone...

"Atem!" Yugi called out for the millionth time as searched the courtroom.

"Lady Yugi?"

Yugi stopped immediately in her tracks. "Atem?"

"No, Lady Yugi." It was a male voice but definitely not the voice of Atem. The mystery person's tone was too soft and hushed to be him. The man approached Yugi, his footsteps light on the stone floor. "I'm Mahad, item bearer and friend of the Crown Prince."

"Oh," Yugi articulated. She smiled and admitted, "I've heard a lot about you from Priestess Isis."

"Really?" Mahad snickered, "Like what?"

A light but noticeable blush entered Yugi's face, and she whispered, "I believe she told me certain things in confidence, so I cannot tell you."

"I respect that."

"Wait," Yugi calculated aloud, "I've heard of you from Isis, but how have you heard of me?"

Mahad smiled and enlightened, "I'm the head of security at the palace. I know everything there is to know about everyone."

"Really?" Suddenly, Yugi felt a bit violated. "Does that mean you spy on people?"

Mahad was a little taken back at the strength in the blind girl's tone. "Only if needed," he assured her.

"Well... I don't say I approve of spying..." Yugi remembered her brother spying on her on several occasions. "... but it's helpful for the situation I am in now."

"What is it you need, Lady Yugi?" Mahad questioned.

"Can you tell me where I can find Atem?"

Mahad was surprised that Yugi didn't refer to Atem as "Prince" or even "Crown Prince." Just Atem? It meant that the Prince and Lady Yugi were much closer than Mahad had anticipated.

"He's taken private council with the Pharaoh. I advice you to wait."

"I can't wait!" Yugi cried. Then she collected herself and rephrased, "I meant to say, what I have to tell him is urgent as well."

"Is it urgent enough to interrupt him when in the middle of speaking to the Pharaoh?"

Yugi nodded fervently.

Like Isis, Mahad was a die-heart romantic. Not that he would ever admit that to any male... Or anyone, in that case. But, Mahad knew what true love looked like. And, it looked like what was swirling in Lady Yugi's amethyst jewels of eyes, the cloudy, silver centers just making it appear even more magical.

Mahad swallowed. "Well... all right..." he gave in, his voice hoarse. He would risk being fired as an item bearer, but to see true love, Mahad would do it.

A lovely smile rested on Yugi's face. "Thank you, thank you!" she cried, happy tears growing in her eyes.

Mahad turned away. If he saw the tears, his own eyes would begin to water. "Of course..." he replied weakly, but his response was lost in Yugi's newfound happiness. He took Yugi's hand and told her, "I'll lead the way so that we'll go faster."

Yugi was only too happy oblige.

-transition-

"Father, I've ruined everything."

The Pharaoh sighed. Sitting before him on the floor was his distraught son. Akunumkanon knew things would be complicated, but this was a little extreme. He never remembered his teenage years to be this challenging...

"What are you planning to do, Atem?"

"I don't know!" Atem exclaimed in a mixture of rage and misery, "That's why I came to you! You have to help me!"

"I'm not sure there's much I can do at this point," Akunumkanon admitted, leaning on his hand and massaging his temple.

"Tell me something! Anything!" Atem finally let the tears slide down his tan skin. "I can't lose her! I just can't!"

"Why don't you tell her that?"

"She'd never believe me! All I've told her are lies! I wouldn't even believe myself right now!" Bitter tears were continuing to be lost. Atem had never felt so much internal pain in his life. He wanted to... Well, be didn't know what he wanted to do. That was the problem! He shut his eyes tighter in a vain attempt at stopping the flowing tears.

"Atem, you need to get a hold of yourself."

Atem's eyes immediately snapped open, the tears being discarded. Of course, emotions would only make matters more unbearable. He had to be strong- for Yugi. She wouldn't want to see 'Atemu' broken like this. But would she mind it if it were just Atem?

Before any other words could be exchanged from the father and son, Akunumkanon's chambers door burst open, Yugi running in.

"Atem!" she called inside.

"Yugi?" Atem called back in surprise.

Yugi rapidly located Atem on the floor in front of the Pharaoh and sunk down next to him, laying her head on his chest.

"Atem, I was so worried! You must have been so upset! Atem..." She buried her face into him and absorbing his scent. Tears of all kinds of emotions slid down from her eyes but were wiped away by Atem's hand.

Atem smiled through some tears of his own, thankful Yugi couldn't see them. He lied, "I wasn't worried at all, Yugi. There's no need to be upset."

"You can't lie to me, Atem, your voice is too light and fake to be telling the truth."

Atem was taken aback by this but continued smiling, admitting, "All right, I was a little afraid."

"I knew it," Yugi murmured into Atem's neck.

The couple sat there a moment, Yugi's head lying on Prince Atem and Atem's arms wrapped around little Yugi. Tears still fell but more gracefully than frantically, as if they just captured the moment more.

"I love you," Yugi stated softly in the comfortable silence.

"I love you, too," Atem returned just as quietly.

Suddenly, someone cleared their throat.

Yugi and Atem tilted their heads towards the sound, being shaken from their peaceful state of mind.

"I don't mean to be discourteous, but I'm still here…"

"Pharaoh!" Yugi leaned down in a low bow. "I apologize greatly for interrupting your council! It was important- of course, not as important as you- but I'm truly sorry! You see, we had this misunderstanding, and I just needed to-"

"Yugi, you're rambling," Atem muttered with an apologetic look.

A blush infiltrated Yugi's face. She positioned her bow lower and repeated, "I'm sorry."

Akunumkanon chuckled. "There's no need for apologies, Lady Yugi. It is no trouble at all. If you make my son happy, then you are welcome anywhere at anytime. And, if you ever need help, you can ask me for anything."

Yugi's head lifted to this in surprise.

"And, she does," Atem added softly, "Both in making me happy and that she needs help."

"You don't know how much that means to me!" she cried. More color entered her face. She said softer, "Because, I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but-"

"Your brother?"

Yugi took in a sharp breath in surprise. "How do you-"

"I told him," Atem clarified.

"Oh." Yugi gulped. "So, I suppose you've already made steps to helping the problem then."

"Yes, I have."

Atem's eyebrows rose. This was the first he was hearing of this. "What have you done, Father?"

Akunumkanon gave a half an all-knowing smile and enlightened-

"I invited him here."

Yugi gave up everything to the dark. She fainted, hitting the floor with a soft thud.

"Yugi!"

Author's Note: And the cliffies keep on coming! The story made me do it! *points at story with accusing look*

Just when you think one problem is over, another decides to show its ugly head. Goodness, Yugi and Atem, I've really got it out for ya, huh?

Anyway, remember what I said in my author's note at the top! Best review gets the next chapter dedicated to them! :D Review!