Amme: It's completely my fault this took so bloody long to get to you! I'm sorry. *cloud of shame*
Ashley: Not all your fault-
Amme: I took too long in writing it, then just happened to send it to Sapphire just as she was celebrating her Birthday! Which meant that she was busy with family and too busy to edit it until she was done with her celebration.
Kathy: So if you had been faster it wouldn't have been delayed?
Amme: Yeah, I can't make Sapphire pause her birthday for this! Hope you had a good one Sapphire :)
Sapphire: I did thanks, I saw How to train your dragon 2, and it's so amazing! The sound track is just awesome!
Amme: Totally! Sorry for the wait everyone, and noe go enjoy!
Heba tossed and turned in his sleep, muttering under his breath as both hands tightly gripping the bed sheets. "No … no … run away … stop it! Stop it! They're innocent- oh god … RYOU RUN! Get away, don't hurt him- NO!"
Heba jerked upright with a hand outstretched as if to grab the two trapped children in his dream. One was Ryou, very young, barely looked old enough to be without an adult. The other was a white haired, tan boy who had thrown himself before Ryou when the solider had struck. It looked like the blade had sliced into his face, his right eye looked bloody and ruined.
When Heba finally recognised the empty darkness as his room and not the burning, screaming village he sat up.
Heba looked around the dark room in confusion. "A dream?" he asked himself, pulling his blanket around his shoulders as he thought. It could have been a vision, the thief King has a scar across one eye, and looked a lot like Ryou. They were from the same village, which had been destroyed by soldiers under Aknadin. He rubbed his temples "Okay … okay … so it's about Ryou and the Thief King … Why would I be seeing them?" he asked aloud.
Visions were seldom what they seemed, and it was even rarer that they revealed all their answers instantly.
After a minute of silence, being unable to figure out why he'd seen this, Heba moved off his bed and went to the secret wall to see Atem. It was just about to dawn, and he wanted Atem's opinion on what he had seen.
Atem, unexpectedly, was quite good at helping Heba decode what he had seen and apply it to the present or near future. He made quite the historian in spotting patterns. Heba huffed to himself, he could almost see Yugi's smug smile on how well they matched as a couple.
Heba glanced at Yugi's room and saw his door open. Of course. Heba sighed.
Yugi had been having nightmares more and more frequently. They often consisted of terrifying near-visions that left the twins uncertain of their true nature. Were they the future or Yugi's worse fears regurgitated in dreams? Heba hoped they were just dreams, from the glimpses and flashes he had seen and heard from Yugi while he babble hysterically it was clear it was hell on earth. Yugi hadn't had a good night's sleep in over a month. Even Isis's sleeping draughts weren't helping him, which was worrying because his nightly doses could knock out a rhinoceros.
In the end Yugi had fallen asleep in Yami's bed and slept soundly the whole night, since then he'd never really slept alone since it caused nightmares. Yugi would either curl up with a Destiny Statue on his pillow in his own room, a less reliable prevention, or go and sleep in Yami's bedroom with the Prince beside him. That one never failed.
After a week or so, when the relief for his brother's condition had worn off, Heba began to see the two sharing a bed funny and often teased them about it. It was sure to speed things along in their relationship.
Meanwhile Heba's relationship had been slow but steady. Spending time with Atem as a romantic interest wasn't too different from their friendly hang outs. There were additions to their time spent together, like sitting together at meals, spending time in their private chambers, and there was a lot more contact – like holding hands and standing close enough to bush arms, and occasional kisses. Also the burning jealousy of his twin's happiness was gone, which made being around the pale couple a lot easier.
Heba was comfortable and happy with Atem, again Yugi's smirk hovered in his mind … yeah, yeah, don't rub it in.
Heba picked up a torch and walked down towards Atem's room, the hidden passage was chilling, but the cold was good. It was the opposite of the burning sensation he had felt while watching Ryou's childhood village burn to the ground. The cold was comforting at the moment, the vision was still so fresh, if he wanted to Heba could relive it in perfect detail, feeling everything those children had felt.
Another reason why Atem was so helpful in decoding his visions, Heba was instantly biased to whatever perspective he was seeing his visions from. Memories were covered in messy emotions that often hid or distracted Heba from important details and information. Atem wasn't so attached to perspectives since he wasn't living them, therefore he saw more than Heba did sometimes, without ever actually having a vision himself.
Heba glanced up and saw that he had already reached the wall that would lead to Atem's room. He felt a smirk come over his face when he thought of a way to wake Atem up. Maybe Alice would help him.
The rumble of the wall opening didn't disturb the slumbering Prince, not much did. Heba closed it behind him and crossed his arms while he examined the Prince in the pre-dawn light.
Atem was lying face down with one arm draped off the bed and the blankets over him, showing a night that contained lots of tossing. Alice was resting her head on his lower back, she looked up when Heba entered, her senses sharp and her protective nature even stronger; she wouldn't turn a blind eye to someone entering the room, even if it was a friend.
She purred when Heba approached and lightly began to pet her head "Morning Alice," he whispered. She butted her head into his chest and jumped off the bed to stretch for the day.
Heba smiled at her then turned to Atem and shook his shoulder insistently "Atem."
Atem grunted and pulled a pillow over his head.
Heba frowned "I don't have time for this," he muttered and promptly climbed up on Atem's bed and began to jump on it. "Atem, wake up!" he snapped, giving him a light kick in the side.
Atem opened one eye "Go away Alice …" he muttered.
Alice paused her grooming to look at him scandalously. Heba laughed and jumped down on Atem's back, one folded leg on either side of his torso, the sudden pressure forced the air out of his lungs and shocked the Prince into waking up.
"What-" he rolled over and Heba fell on top of him. Atem blinked a few times then put a hand over his face "You're not Alice."
Heba snorted "Good work genius, what gave me away?" he asked sarcastically. Atem yawned and sat up. Heba moved to give him space, but Atem caught him in his arms and forced him to sit in his lap, still straddling him a little. Heba blushed, but Atem just rested his head on Heba's shoulder, obviously still half awake.
"Why are you here so early?" he mumbled.
Heba hesitantly put his hands on Atem's back and held him back. "I had a vision, it couldn't wait," he reported.
Atem raised his head and looked a little more alert "What about?" he asked.
Heba tried not to shudder "Kul Elna's massacre. I saw Ryou and the Thief King when they were really young, escaping. A palace solider tried to cut Ryou down, but the Thief King got in the way and got his eye slashed," he said softly, keeping his eyes closed to not reveal the fear and worry that threatened to overwhelm him. Ryou was so young! Those large, scared eyes made Heba want to protect him at all costs, his heart stopped when the sword was swung towards the pair.
Atem hummed and rubbed his forehead "It's about Ryou, if Yugi hasn't seen anything of the future it must be about that moment that's most important. Maybe that's what started their bond."
Heba nodded and climbed out of Atem's lap to sit beside him. "Maybe … I just remember that sword coming at Ryou so clearly …" he shuddered.
Atem put an arm around him after giving him a concerned glance. "Well … perhaps Ryou's being threatened, or targeted. If that's your clearest point in your vision then, out of context, means that Ryou's in danger, but someone's going to save him."
Heba looked up "The Thief King?"
Atem shrugged "Maybe. Who can really know."
Heba tried not to smile "Yugi. But he doesn't see everything," he sighed when Alice climbed back up and rested on his lap. "If Ryou was in danger I'm sure Yugi would have seen it," he dismissed at last.
Atem nodded and tried to think of something else "Could it be the place?" he asked.
Heba hummed "Kul Elna, it's where the Witches seem to keep coming back to, but Ryou won't give us the location just encase his lover is caught then hung." Not that he could blame him, now he knew what love felt like. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he ended up being the cause for Atem's death either.
"Maybe it's saying Ryou should tell us or he'll get hurt?" Atem suggested, rubbing his forehead again as he tried to think while half asleep.
Heba snorted "Seth will like that answer from us, won't he?" Both remembered how cold he had been towards Ryou since he had both revealed and hid his knowledge of the Thief King's lair.
Atem sighed "Let's hope it's something else … did Ryou see the soldier coming?"
Heba shrugged "I'm not sure, we'll have to ask him, but I don't think so …"
Atem huffed "I can't imagine it's something he wants to talk about."
Heba agreed silently. "We should tell him our theories, not Seth's favourite one though. If I'm seeing something about a friend I like to let them know that something's going to repeat itself or echo it," he rubbed the centre of his forehead and let out a soft groan of pain. "This is the sixth useless or nonsense vision I've been sent in as many days. I bet you're irritated at being woken up by me."
Atem smiled kindly "Your gift is important, I don't believe your Goddess would make you run useless errands. Plus it's not like I don't mind spending time with you," he added with a wink.
Heba returned the smile and nodded.
Five visions had told Heba several small facts about his friends, the Pharaoh, even their enemies; apparently the Witches secretly hated each other's guts and weren't at all loyal to each other; only to their common goal. Heba was sure that eventually these odd facts would make sense and combine into something, but he couldn't understand it since it was past knowledge to prepare for the future. If Yugi couldn't see it then the past was key in getting past whatever Destiny was preparing them for. No pressure Heba.
He now knew that Jono could track, the Thief King was still in love with Ryou, the Pharaoh got breathless and weary when under long term stress – Isis was informed of this, Aknadin had been devastated that Aknamkanon had been chosen Pharaoh instead of himself, and that Seth was an expert on Ka monsters. Altogether it sounded, and still seemed, like a bunch of useless facts and scenarios. Heba could only guess that they were related because they had appeared to him several nights in a row without a break.
Atem saw Heba's troubled expression and covered his hand and wove their fingers together "It'll be alright," he promised.
Heba sent him a soft smile before leaning his head on his shoulder "We can't possibly know that," he argued.
Atem chuckled "You're right, we don't know that, but Yugi does. Why would he work so hard to convince us to try if it was going to go wrong? He's not that cruel. Have a little faith," he persuaded gently.
Heba closed his eyes "I'll try," he promised, and relaxed in the last few minutes of dawn before the day began.
At breakfast Heba anxiously waited for Ryou to appear. Isis was running late as she had had a vision of her future patients today and had to spend a few minutes preparing for their arrival before breakfast. Naturally Ryou stayed to help her. The wait made Heba nervous.
When he did Heba tapped his shoulder and pulled him to the side of the room before he could even acknowledge who had called for his attention.
"Heba! What are you doing?" the healing apprentice gasped when he realised who was pulling his arm out of its socket.
Heba smiled sheepishly after letting him go "Sorry about that. I had a vision about you, and I think it's trying to tell us something," he explained, getting to the point.
Ryou's eyes widened, visions had become a serious topic in the Palace. "Why about me? I'm nothing important, am I?" he asked hesitantly, rubbing his shoulder.
Heba frowned "Of course you're important. The vision was a past memory of when the Thief King got his scar."
Ryou flinched at once, going pale as both hands fisting out of repressed emotions.
Heba put a hand on his shoulder "It's okay. But does that hold anything special for you, it might help me figure out why I saw that," he gently spoke while Ryou remembered.
Ryou nodded slowly "His eye was the first thing I healed. I wasn't very good back then, it scarred badly." He swallowed and rubbed his upper arms slightly, as if keeping off the chill of the memory. "He was always protecting me, but he'd never got himself hurt doing it, until the soldiers came for us," he took a deep breath and swallowed again. "We were the only two who got out …"
Heba sighed "I'm sorry. Sorry I had to ask you this too," he added, knowing what it was like to be a survivor.
Ryou cleared his throat and met Heba's eye "That's okay. You had to if you saw it, I hope I helped," he offered as they made their ways back to their seats. "But what could it be about?"
Heba shrugged "There's a few ideas that I've been considering, but most of them end in me telling you to be careful," he summarized, looking him in the eye seriously.
Ryou nodded sincerely and absently fiddled with a small pouch around his neck, it was filled with a nonlethal poison, just encase, "Don't worry about me, people underestimate me all the time," he smiled before moving to sit beside Isis.
Heba smirked after him, already knowing what he was capable of. Healer, poisoner, thief, trickster and lock picker. Who needed a fighter when you couldn't catch or hold him? He should be fine, Heba agreed.
Atem pulled his seat back for him when he approached. Heba smiled at him "Thank you gentleman," he half scoffed and half teased as he slid into the open seat.
Atem blushed but snorted "You're lucky I think you're worth the effort," he bit back, just as playfully.
Heba swooned mockingly "I'm so flattered," he mooned as he leaned over into Atem's lap just as the Prince sat down.
Atem raised an eyebrow before laughing at him, Heba joined in after a beat. Atem helped him sit up and pecked his lips quickly "Is it so bad that I want to treat you right?" he asked.
Heba's heart jumped slightly before he grinned "Not at all, just keep in mind I'm not made of papyrus," he added, tapping Atem's nose just as the council and Pharaoh piled in. Heba felt a wave of calm when he saw the man approach. He had accepted their relationships and had taken him and his brother in, given them high status, and a safe haven, but most importantly a chance at happiness. Heba didn't think he could ever express his gratitude enough for what he had done for them.
"Good Morning Pharaoh," he greeted with a smile and a small bow.
Aknamkanon bowed partly back and gave the two a curious glance "You're getting bags under your eyes you two. Been up late?" he asked, hinting at something.
Heba blushed at his tone while Atem cleared his throat with a glare "Heba's been having nightmare-visions," he corrected swiftly.
The Pharaoh was silent at once. "You too?" he asked, he sighed and looked troubled as he took his seat.
Atem knew what he was thinking, if both twins were finding nightmarish visions in their gifts it must mean that bad things were coming. It wouldn't give anyone peace of mind until a true answer was clear.
Heba, however, surprised them by swiftly claiming "I think you should be pleased that Yugi and I see such things. Now you know and can prepare for what is coming, it's a gift to be able to brace for the punch that others just have to real in," he said a matter-of-factly, both posture and voice controlled and mechanised.
Atem hated when he was like this, now he acted like the human tool he never wished to be. He spouted almost rehearsed lines designed to please a controlling master. Atem frowned "I think we can take a punch in return for your peace of mind," he argued, not liking the idea of Heba having those nightmare-memories often.
Aknamkanon nodded as well "Yes. As much as your insights aid us and the people, you are also part of the people I have to protect, lead and care for to the best of my ability. So your welfare is included," he countered.
Heba looked a little surprised. Then he smiled "Thank you." He relaxed slightly, no longer instinctively throwing up barriers.
The Pharaoh dipped his head as a response, then turned his eyes to the table "Now where is my second son?" he mused, pinching his chin in thought. "He does not tend to oversleep."
Atem shrugged "There's a first time for everything, maybe they stayed up late talking or Yugi had another nightmare?" he thought aloud.
Heba looked worried at the last comment. When will it leave him alone? "Maybe I should go see them," he suggested, and made to get up. Only he didn't have to.
Yami appeared.
He walked through the door with a rather wide and relaxed smile, Heba was tempted to say he looked dopy with it, he remained in his seat and watched him confusedly. Atem raised an eyebrow at his brother, suspicious but not willing to voice his theory just in case Heba decided to butcher him. It wouldn't be an appealing sight at breakfast.
Yami didn't even look at his curious family, he went up to the servants instead. He tapped Jono on the shoulder and spoke to him quietly. Jono looked a little surprised, but agreed to whatever Yami was asking, though he scratched his head and made several animated faces the moment Yami turned away from him.
What's that about? Heba wondered.
Yami finally made his way over to his family "Morning everyone," he greeted brightly.
Aknamkanon returned the greeting with a hand on his shoulder "Morning Yami, where is Yugi?" he asked kindly. They were rarely apart now, it was odd to see one without the other.
Yami's cheeks went a little pink, but that didn't stop him talking "We decided to have breakfast in bed this morning, he's tired and doesn't want to get up," he explained, without giving enough information as to why Yugi was so tired.
Heba jumped up "Did he have another nightmare?" he asked, getting worried; if Yugi couldn't even get a good night's sleep with Yami then he was in trouble.
Yami shook his head "No, we were just up late, that's all," he promised, waving a hand dismissively. "We'll be out at lunch, I think. Should we meet you somewhere if you're not busy?" he asked.
Atem looked thoughtful "I'm going to be going over guard patrols today, I should be free for lunch if everything looks in shape," he promised. Everyone missed how Yami had changed the subject.
Yami sighed in relief "Great, see you then," he bid them farewell and moved back towards his rooms, moving a little too quickly. He was eager to get back to bed, or to Yugi, whichever.
Heba looked curiously after him. "He was in a good mood," he mused as he took a sip from his drink.
Jono sniggered as he laid the table with food "Well what guy isn't happy after they've gotten laid?"
Heba choked into his drink.
Yugi smiled when Yami appeared through the door to his room. He hadn't left the bed since he wasn't sure he'd be able to walk today.
Missy had reappeared from the garden and was now lying on his legs with playful nudges to his hands whenever he scratched her ears. Yugi closed his eyes and bathed in his spot of sunlight, as he reclined against the pillows, he nearly fell back to sleep. But when the large doors groaned open he sat up to greet his lover.
Yami smiled and moved back over to his bed to kiss him "Morning," he greeted when they broke the kiss.
Yugi smiled sleepily "Morning," he returned and stretched limply. "Is breakfast coming?" he asked, waking up a little bit more.
Yami pulled Yugi into his lap and nodded "Yes, I asked Jono to bring it to our room, and told the others that we wouldn't be joining them until lunch," he smiled. He thought Yugi looked adorable when he entered the room, curled up in a patch of sunlight like a cat.
Yugi looked nervous at the mention of family "How did Heba take it?" he asked.
Yami looked guilty "I didn't say … but I don't think he bought my excuse of lack of sleep either," he admitted. Yugi at once looked worried, he didn't want Heba mad at Yami for something they had both agreed to. Yami hugged him to his chest and sighed "It'll be alright Yugi. As long as you're happy then Heba will understand," he promised.
Yugi nodded reluctantly "Yeah … I hope he does. Is it weird that I feel complete now?" he asked suddenly, not being able to keep that question to himself. Did Yami feel it too? Was he happy that they had made love last night? For some reason Yugi really felt like he was Yami's now. Fully claimed.
Yami blinked, but then closed his eyes in a content smile "Of course not. I feel the same." Yugi sighed and let Yami snuggle him as close as he wanted. The two only shared their happy bubble for another few seconds before Jono knocked on the door.
Yami put Yugi on the bed, much to the younger's disappointment, and went to let Jono in. Jono grinned widely when Yami opened the door "Well here's the satisfied couple," he greeted with a plate on each arm.
Yugi blushed "H-hey Jono," he called from the pillows.
Yami rubbed the back of his head "Well since you know I bet everyone knows by now, right?"
Jono blinked "Eh? Why'd you say that?" he asked, totally confused.
Yami took his breakfast and shot him a deadpan look "You've got a loud mouth, and you can't keep a secret to save your life," he concluded bluntly.
Jono looked shocked for a moment, then awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck "Yeah … I guess there's that … I think I might have said something in front of everyone at breakfast," both Yami and Yugi looked alarmed. Jono laughed slightly "Bad timing on my part, poor Heba wouldn't stop coughing. Anyway, enjoy, and don't forget that there's a world outside your bed," he winked before leaving the room.
Yami shook his head at the blond walking away and closed the door with a chuckle. He turned to Yugi and shrugged "I guess the secret's out," he weakly joked.
Yugi giggled slightly "I think Jono saw right through you," he replied.
Yami nodded and began to split the breakfast into two to share. "He's really not as dense as he sometimes acts," he acknowledged before offering Yugi a slice of apple. Yugi took it and licked his lips before saving his breakfast from Missy's jaws.
Yami chuckled and pulled her away "Nope, not for you." Missy huffed before jumping off the bed and going under it. The pale prince rolled his eyes before he continued to feed his lover, with Yugi doing the same for him. All the while Missy secretly settled for eating their slippers while they were not looking.
Once breakfast was done, Yami quickly put the tray out of the way and pulled his Yugi back into his arms. Yugi smiled as he laid his head on the prince's shoulder. He felt Yami slowly rub his back, slowly going lower with each stroke. Yugi moaned as that hand rubbed one particular spot on his hip. "Yami..." he whispered.
"Would it be bad to have one more round?" the prince whispered into his ear, nibbling it so lightly. He smirked a bit as he felt Yugi shiver against him. He moved down his neck to the pulse point there, sucking it again. He wanted/needed the world to know Yugi was his and no one else's. He just hoped to any god listening that Heba didn't kill him for it.
Yugi mewed and moaned as his hands roamed around Yami's chest. "I … I guess one more round won't be too bad," He allowed, eyelids lowering halfway. He felt the hand on his hip move towards his semi-hard on. He moaned as that hand slowly slide up and down on his manhood. "Not too fast," he warned breathlessly.
Yami smirked and lowered them down until they were laying back on the bed. He moved his kisses away from Yugi's neck and down to his chest, kissing perk nipples on his way down to his navel. He kissed it a few times, getting a few chuckles out of him. "Yami, that tickles," the seer giggled, his hands resting on Yami's shoulders as he let his lover have his way.
Yami chuckled as well before kissing the tip of Yugi's now hard erection. The moan he received was music to his ears. He licked and kissed, going up and down, enticing more out of his little one. "Yami," Yugi whined, a deep blush painted on his face. "You're not being fair …"
Deciding to spare his love, he took him into his mouth.
Yugi screamed at the top of his lung as Yami sucked and licked. "Oh Yami… hnn ..." He groaned when sucking stopped and Yami pulled away.
Yami chuckled before reaching over to his nightstand, pulling over a jar of oil. "Not yet my love." He dipped three fingers into the oil as Yugi spread his legs a bit. Yami chuckled "Eager?"
Yugi snorted and rubbed Yami's leg with the tips of his toes, not moving from where he was sped "Says the Prince who asked to go again," he teased back.
Yami rolled his eyes "If you're protesting I could always-"
Yugi leaned up and pulled Yami down into a kiss, effectively shutting him up. Yugi finally let Yami go when he felt he had taken all his breath left for talking. He kissed Yami's cheek and moved down his neck to nip at the lighter marks he left last night "Don't you dare finish what you were about to say."
Yami regained his breath and nodded "As my lover commands," he gently, yet sincerely mocked.
Yugi let Yami slip from his grip just enough to reach down to his entrance, and to get the oil that hadn't spilt in their messy make out. He tried to breathe as Yami circled the ring of muscles at his entrance, relaxing as Yami slipped his first finger in; he squirmed, still getting used to this new feeling.
Yami notice his squirming, he kissed his neck again, distracting the younger while he slipped another finger in. Yugi hissed as he felt the fingers enter him again. Even though it was their second time, even though he was still pretty loose, it still hurt to be spread open and hard to relax.
Yami kept his fingers still as he whisper soothing words. Yugi tried to focus on the words as he forced his body to relax. Yami slowly scissored him, looking for that one spot to make Yugi scream again.
He turned into one spot, "YAMI!" Yami paused to check that he was okay, before thrusting his fingers back into that one spot, eventually slipping his last finger.
Yugi was a hot mess of pants and moans, he groaned again as the fingers left. "Yami," he gently growled, glaring slightly. Why was he being so slow?
Yami chuckled, pouring more oil into his hand. "Relax little one." He quickly rubbed his own throbbing member, trying really hard not to moan. It worked a little, but the bit lip to keep silent was just as sexy. Yugi licked his lips as he watched, enjoying the show.
To 'help' him along he put his hand in the puddle of spilt oil and sneakily joined in the job of lubrication. Yami shuddered silently. Yugi smiled, glad Yami was feeling good and gently placed a thumb over Yami's abused lip and worked it free enough to let out a soft groan of satisfaction. Yugi felt his own erection throb; Yami was so sexy.
Yami finally stopped, panting heavily as he got between Yugi's legs. They didn't need to speak to know what was about to happen, but he did anyway "Ready?"
Yugi took in a deep breath, "I'm ready."
Yami gently kissed his lips. "If it gets too much, let me know."
Yugi rolled his eyes "I'm not made of glass," he reminded him. Yami smirked and kissed him.
Yugi breathed again as Yami slowly pressed into him. He bit his lip and broke the kiss as Yami slowly slipped in, trying to relax against the intrusion. It still felt so overwhelmingly new.
Yami stopped half way as he felt Yugi tighten up. "Relax Love." He kissed Yugi's neck, cheeks, forehead and lips, anything to distract him. Yugi immediately relaxed, letting Yami finish going all the way in.
Yami moaned as he felt Yugi clutching down on him. It took a lot of will power not to slam into that warm heat. He waited as Yugi relaxed and grew used to their oneness. He watched the seer breathing, as he panted himself.
Yugi opened his eyes slightly as the ache became small, and slowly eased away. He gave a slight roll of his hips, blushing a bit when that got a moan out of his lover.
Yami pulled out and looked back at Yugi, silently asking him if he was sure. He nodded, love, lust, trust, and passion evident in his eyes. They didn't need words. Words would ruin the meaning that passed between them. Yami pecked his lips before slowly moving back in. He continued at a slow pace, every now and then giving Yugi kisses on the lips or nibbles on his neck.
Yugi huffed at the slow pace, he wasn't melting fast enough, "Yami ... faster!" he mewed, rolling his hips a bit faster.
Yami grunted as he picked up the pace, going faster and harder with each thrust. Yugi's moans got louder as well. Heat and pleasure building as the two moved as one, Yami looking for that spot once again. He smirked when Yugi screamed his name after hitting one certain mark. He continued to hit that spot over and over again.
Yugi was beyond heaven, he was in his own personal utopia. Just him and Yami. No one else mattered right now, only them. He thought he heard a gasp, but couldn't quiet tell with the other noises they were making. He wrapped his legs around Yami's waist, burying him in further. The world was white as Yami hit the spot again. He could feel his stomach getting tighter and tighter, his erection begged with the need to release.
As if sensing this, Yami's hand slipped around it and pumped in time with their thrusts. Yugi's head fell back into the pillows as his back arched into him, all the while moaning out Yami's name. "Ya … Yami … I'm-I'm going to cum," he warned.
"Me too Little One." Yami grunted, going harder and faster with his thrust as his hand rubbed and teased Yugi's erection.
A few more thrusts and strokes which erased the world outside Yugi's body, and Yugi cried out, "YAMI!" as his wave of pleasure crashed.
Yami moaned as Yugi's walls tighten around him. It only took a few more thrust until he met his end, screaming Yugi's name as he came inside his tired lover.
The two panted as Yami fell beside Yugi and road out their waves together. The first to come back was Yami, who quickly slipped out of Yugi. He lay back beside the seer and pulled him to rest on his chest.
Yugi sighed as he snuggled into that warm chest. Yami smiled down at him, kissing the top of his sweaty head. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"That was amazing Yami." Yugi said, looking up into loving eyes. He blushed at the look and tried to look away, only to be stopped by Yami. The prince moved his face back to look deeply into his amethyst jewels.
"You are amazing. I love you Yugi." Yami said, truth shining brightly in his eyes as he said this.
Yugi smiled tiredly at him. "I love you too Yami." He reached up, about to kiss Yami when a yawn came out. He blushed a bit as Yami laughed, the Prince settled for kissing his cheek instead.
"Looks like someone needs a quick nap." Yugi nodded as he lay back down in his cosy spot. He was about to close his eyes when he felt a kiss to his forehead. He looked back up just in time to receive a breath taking kiss from his Yami. He melted into it, letting Yami control it and pull him closer. He couldn't complain, he wanted this, he wanted to feel whole, to be one with this man before him.
They broke as soon as the need for air was demanded by their lungs. Laying back into the pillows, Yami pulled a sheet over them and kissed Yugi's forehead as said teen fell into a deep slumber. Yami gave a tired yawn as his eyes fell shut, not wanting to open again. A second later both teens were out, still unaware that Missy was still under the bed, asleep with a pair of chewed up sandals beside her.
Later in the day, Heba lay under the Goddess statue, still puzzling over his recent visions. He couldn't shake the feeling that they meant something, but he couldn't see what they could possibly hint at. He wished Yugi would come out of his room and talk to him, or perform a ritual so they could explore this in more detail, but he was still in Yami's room.
It was an hour past lunch.
Jono had gone to fetch them, only to return a while later with a red face, saying they should be left alone. He walked out woodenly, Heba felt a little sorry for him and was glad he hadn't walked in on that.
Heba huffed and closed his eyes "I've heard sex makes you narrow minded, but this is ridicules!" he grumbled; still in bed after lunch?
Destiny's statue seemed to smile when he looked up at her. He sighed "If Yugi wasn't having those stupid nightmares he wouldn't have gone that far- wait … are you giving him visions on purpose to get those two together?" he demanded, not really expecting a response. "But if that's true then … there doesn't seem to be a point to that, at all."
A haze covered his vision for a moment and he saw hazy images of families, lots of them, throughout the ages.
Heba hummed when he came out of it. "Family huh? It's not like Yugi can have kids," he sighed, just another mystery.
"If you sigh again you'll deflate."
Heba looked up and smiled "Atem! I thought you were helping the Pharaoh?" he questioned when Atem moved to sit by him.
Atem shrugged "Dad saw that I wasn't paying much attention so told me to go clear my head," he admitted.
Heba rolled his eyes "Silly. You'll not end up a respected ruler if you keep daydreaming in the middle of work," he warned, but happily let Atem pull him into his side. "Still, I won't mind," he added as he relaxed.
Atem smiled too and glanced up at the Destiny statue. "What were you talking about before I came in here?" he asked.
Heba opened an eye and chuckled "I'm still getting used to the fact that you find me talking to a statue normal …" they both shared a laugh for a moment, a tribute to their unusual normality. Heba eventually said "I just thought that maybe Destiny wanted Yami and Yugi together," he said "The nightmare visions go away when Yami's around Yugi, so …"
Atem took that fact in slowly and hummed "It's interesting. Maybe she wants you two to be happy?" he suggested.
Heba snorted "Not that I disagree, but it's kinda violent to plague Yugi into Yami's arms, right?" he asked.
The prince nodded in defeat "I guess. In that case she's just impatient for them to get to the altar, or whatever," he summarized.
Heba grunted "So, until our bedridden brothers get out of it, what should we do?"
Atem shrugged "I don't know. We could go see Matthew?" he suggested.
Heba brightened "That's a good idea," he agreed and they moved to the secret panels to get there faster.
Yugi walked down a corridor in a bit of a happy daze with Yami, they had decided to emerge and socialize for the last hour before dinner. Yugi was walking with just a bit of a limp, after a long bath and back massage it was a vast improvement from earlier. Yami had his hand linked with Yugi's as they moved to the longue, hoping to find someone to talk to.
Yugi hummed lightly and let Yami lead the way.
Suddenly he heard the unmistakeable sound of a baby crying. Yugi looked up and around but couldn't see the baby. He was about to ask Yami if he heard them, but then someone shocking walked around the corner to meet them.
Yugi stopped in his tracks with wide eyes.
It was himself!
"I guess it's time to give the message, I know what's happened now."
Distantly he felt Yami shaking his arm, but he lost all feeling and response when he saw himself standing at the end of the hall. It was like looking in a mirror!
The reflection looked different than he did right now. Different clothes, a crown, some gold jewellery that looked way too regal for himself. But he looked older too, there was more wisdom in his eyes and a scar on his arm, and his aura was much more mature than he was presently.
There was a squirming bundle in his arms, the tiny fists waving out from under the blankets. The reflection smiled down at the baby, for it was obviously a babe, and reached down to let it play with his fingertips. The baby calmed when it was gently rocked.
Yugi opened and shut his mouth like a fish.
The reflection chuckled and looked directly at Yugi once again. "I remember feeling the shock of this vision. Listen, and remember this, because you don't see the past you have to rely on normal memory to give your past self this message," he warned before moving forwards and smiling gently, but with some sadness too. "Everything will be alright. It all happened for a reason."
Yugi blinked "It all- huh?" he stuttered.
His future-self looked sad "It all happened for a reason," he repeated "We couldn't stop it, any of it, we didn't foresee it because we couldn't. From when you see this; there is only one possible future for everyone we love. It'll be hard, but everything will be alright," he promised. He waved and faded from view.
Yugi rubbed his eyes and jumped when he saw Yami standing before him, snapping his fingers by his ear. "Ah!" he yelped and took a step back "Yami what are you doing?" he asked, confused, pale and shaking.
Yami breathed a sigh of relief "Thank Ra." He pulled Yugi into a hug.
Yugi returned the hug with a confused expression "Yami?"
"You just blanked out and stopped, I couldn't get you to wake up," he stood back and kissed his forehead. "I wasn't sure if you were having a vision because you were talking …" he trailed off and hoped Yugi would fill in the rest.
Yugi looked perplexed and thought for a moment "I did see something … a vision about myself," he whispered.
Yami rubbed his arm "What did you see?" he asked, he had never heard of Yugi seeing himself in a vision. Apparently it was a surprise for Yugi too as he had simply froze.
"He," he paused and looked confused "I?" he shook his head "They spoke to me, told me to remember it so I could give that message to myself later," he said, sounding more confused by the minute.
Yami blinked "Does that happen often?" he asked.
Yugi shook his head "No," he sounded lost.
"What did you say?"
Yugi shrugged "It all happened for a reason. Everything will be alright, and there's only one possibly future from now on," he said, sounding worried.
Yami did too. "Sounds ominous, no wonder you were scared."
Yugi gave a small smile "Shocked really. I saw … I was holding a baby," he recalled.
Yami looked confused "A baby? Did you see who it was?"
Yugi shook his head "No. I just saw its hands. It sounded healthy … maybe I was just minding the baby, or … maybe the child's important!" he mused, more to himself than to Yami. "Myself and Heba are the last of our tribe, the gift won't be passed on unless we have children, and the royal family needs an heir …"
Yami looked thoughtful "Well we can't know until you see it, and whatever thing happens for a reason has passed," he admitted. Yugi agreed after a quick scan of the future, only to be met with grey mist. Yami rubbed Yugi's arm "You're not a liar Yugi, if your future self-promises that everything will be okay, then I trust that it will."
Yugi smiled "Okay. I'll trust myself," he agreed.
Yami beamed and kissed his forehead. They resumed walking towards their meeting place with their thoughts lingering on the ominous warning that Yugi had left for them …
What was going to happen, and for what reason? For what end?
Ryou helped a young girl swallow her medicine and smiled when she coughed afterwards. "It tastes disgusting mister!" she complained, her wheezing better but her expression twisted due to her tortured taste buds.
Ryou chuckled and patted her on the back as Isis told her Mother how to deal with her mild pneumonia. "That means that it's going to make you better, if it tastes bad for you then the medicine will taste worse for your illness and make it go away," he explained.
The girl looked fascinated "So … if my vegetables taste bad to me, and worse for germs … will it stop me getting sick?"
Ryou nodded "Exactly. You're a clever girl." She giggled and took her Mother's hand as they left. For the near future at least, that girl would be eating healthily and taking her medicine.
Isis sighed "We have a small break ahead of us, but I expect some injured miners to appear after lunch," she informed her assistant, her necklace glowing lightly. "One crushed hand, one twisted ankle and one burn from lantern wax."
Ryou nodded "Okay, should I prepare bandages and hot water?" he asked.
Isis picked up some herb bottles and nodded "Yes, and one bed, there's a man with a concussion on his way so he'll need to stay the night," she muttered under her breath about stupid games and risks while she pulled a number of medical herbs from her shelves.
Ryou tried not to laugh. Isis was often frustrated by accidents, since she could often see how they happened she got annoyed since they could have been avoided. He mostly managed, but couldn't keep the wide smile off his face at her constant grumbles. Ryou put some bandages on a side table and prepared a bed.
He paused halfway through his task as a memory stirred in his mind.
"Bakrua! Stop touching it, you'll only make it worse," Ryou whimpered, dabbing at the cut across his childhood friend's face.
They had broken into someone's empty house and had torn up a shirt for some bandages. Ryou had hot water by him and was trying to clear away the blood to see his friend's eye. He prayed it was not cut also.
Bakura hissed when Ryou wiped away some blood. "It hurts Ry," he whimpered.
Ryou covered his hand and soaked their rag again "I'm sorry, I should have been faster," he apologised.
Bakura snorted "It's okay. It's better if it's me because I wouldn't know how to make you better," he smiled briefly before hissing again, the muscles made him bleed more. "Is … is there a lot of blood coming out?" he asked slowly, sounding scared for the first time.
Ryou nodded and dabbed it as dry as he could "Yes … can you open your eye?" he asked.
Bakura tried and blinked a few times through wincing. "At least I can still use it," he sighed before grinning as wide as he dared.
Ryou smiled weakly back and put a clean cloth over his eye before securing it behind his head "It's the best I can do … Mother would have known more," he trailed off before feeling the emotions of losing his entire village sneak up on him. "M-Mother," he whimpered before he started to cry. "Amane!"
Bakura put his arms around his shoulder "Ryou … you still have me, I won't leave you, I promise."
Ryou blinked a few times and put the bandages down to wipe at his eyes. He didn't leave …
… I did …
Heba snuck up on Yugi and put his hands over his eyes "Guess who?" he whispered in a hoarse voice.
Yugi jumped, covered Heba's hands, then giggled slightly "Heba."
Heba sighed and moved to sit next to him on the couch "You could have at least humoured me," he complained, putting his feet up on the foot stool Yugi refused. Yugi smiled, and silently apologised for ruining Heba's game, but he had seen it coming.
Heba huffed and looked at the book Yugi was leafing through, something about poetry. He looked Yugi in the face and said deliberately "Have you had sex?"
Yugi when a brilliant red at once.
Heba jumped "I knew it!"
Yugi covered his face with the book "How did you know? Did Jono tell you?" he asked hesitantly, would Heba be mad?
Heba smirked "Jono's got good intuition, he guessed it by just looking at Yami this morning, and you filled in the rest just now," he added. "No way am I looking in the past for you and your courted doing the nasty," he shuddered.
Yugi sighed and put the book down "Are you mad?" he asked worriedly.
Heba shook his head "I guess not. Surprised I guess, never thought that you were ready for that. He didn't force you did he?" he added sharply, glaring out of the corner of his eye.
Yugi shook his head "No. I had another nightmare. It was worse this time … and when I woke up I was so relieved to see him alive that I kissed him and … we just didn't stop," he finished with a bright red face. "He kept asking me if I was sure, it was kind of annoying," he laughed at last.
Heba laughed too "Well my not-so-virgin brother, how's the rest of the day been for you?" he teased, happy that nothing had changed much.
Yugi looked away and answered "Nothing special, had another vision, my future-self telling me that something was going to happen for a reason, but it would all turn out okay."
Heba raised an eyebrow "That's not nothing. You've never spoken to yourself before," he pointed out.
Yugi nodded "And I've never heard you telling me that other twins have experienced this either," he whispered, the image still sent chills down his spine. Why would he need to say such a thing to himself?
Heba nodded "I've never known for it to happen," he confirmed. "It must be a big thing that's happening."
"Ra not my nightmare!" Yugi burst out, suddenly teary. "Anything but that! Anything!" he gushed.
Heba leaned away in shock. "Yugi?"
Yugi just kept crying.
Heba moved closer and put an arm around his shoulders "Is this what you've been hiding? Your nightmare is actually a vision?" he asked, he was still out of the loop as to what the nightmare detailed exactly, but it was obvious that it was bad.
Yugi shook his head "It can't be. It's too horrible, it can't be!"
Heba sighed "Tell me about it, or show me, whatever you feel you can do," he said at last, he had to know what was happening.
Yugi inhaled and exhaled twice before taking Heba's hands in his own and showing him what he had seen. The monster, the witches, the Princes's deaths, and the ominous breaking of the Pendant just after it had swallowed everything in sight. Heba was equally pale by the end. He swallowed "They're walking towards that monster … why would they do that?" he demanded, already half believing that it had already happened.
Yugi shook his head and let Heba go sadly "I don't know, I can't find the answer anywhere, it's hidden from me," he admitted.
Heba punched a pillow in frustration and put an arm around Yugi "Don't worry, we'll figure it out. We've been able to avoid all other disasters since we got here," he pointed out.
Yugi nodded but whispered "But I've been seeing this for so long …"
Heba sighed "Have a little faith Yugi. You love Yami, so you'll be extra careful with his future won't you?" he lightly nudged him "Come on, it's time for dinner. You might want to wash your face," he added, Yugi had the appearance of someone who had been crying, and if he wanted to hide that he should clear up.
Yugi smiled slightly and went to clean up.
Heba watched him go, and when he was alone he looked thoughtful. That monster. Once again it's appeared before us, Yugi's seen it often, I've seen it once. And the Pendant breaking, that's been seen often too, and the witches have clearly gone into the darker arts by that point. Maybe it's not just the witches we should be worrying about, and that was worrying in itself.
The next day everyone was sitting at the table, waiting for the Pharaoh to appear for breakfast. Everyone was idly picking at their plates, but were respectful enough to wait for their ruler … who was uncharacteristically late.
Seth looked up when the sun appeared over the window "He's very late. Jono, do you mind going to get him?" he asked. "Or at least go see what's taking him so long," he asked at last.
Jono grinned "Sure." He walked towards a hallway with his normal energy.
Atem raised his voice "Jono! If there's someone taking up his time, tell them to get lost until later," he ordered, not caring if it was big news that was keeping his Father, it could wait until after breakfast where he would be ready to deal with those problems.
Jono winked at him as he moved out of the room.
Yugi looked at Yami "Maybe he's just oversleeping?" he suggested.
Yami smiled "Father's a lot like me, he raises early," he laughed slightly "I think that's how my habit of watching the sun started, Mother, Father, Atem and I would all watch Ra rise because at least two of us were wake and wanted the others awake."
Atem grumbled "And spoilt a lot of peaceful sleep because of it."
Yami pouted in his direction "Do you have to be so down about watching a sunrise you'll never see twice? Can't see the same one tomorrow," he pointed out. Yugi tried not to smile as they began their complaints, sibling bickering was never spiteful with the Princes; they were too close for that.
Atem frowned "What I don't get is why Yugi likes it, can't you see the same sunrise twice if you wanted?" he asked, leaning around his brother to see him.
Yugi nodded absently "Yeah … but I don't feel the chill being chased away, or feel my eyes hurt when the rays finally reach me," he confessed, looking a little lost in his thoughts. Yugi jumped suddenly, as if someone had called his name. He looked at Heba and Atem "Atem, hold Heba. Now."
The two blushed at the order.
Heba regained his mouth first "Why would we do it for you- ah!" he gasped, both hands flying to his temples as a painful vision held him.
Atem grabbed his shoulders "Heba!"
Heba shuddered and gasped, one hand flying to his heart and the other to his throat. Yugi winced "I tried to warn you," he murmured as he stood near Heba in concern. "It's alright Heba, relax," he soothed, rubbing his back to calm him down.
Heba slowly opened his eyes and looked like he had seen a ghost. He covered his mouth with one hand and tears gathered in his vision. He took several shuddering breaths but refused to meet the curious eyes of the room.
Atem looked alarmed "Heba?" he shook him lightly. "What did you see? What's wrong?" he persisted when Heba gave no response.
Heba curled up in his seat. "Follow Jono," he whispered hoarsely.
Jono burst into the room not a second later "Isis! Ryou! I need you now!" he yelled, panicking.
Everyone stood.
Isis rushed to his side "Jono-"
"The Pharaoh's not waking up, come on," he gasped out.
Ice settled over the Princes' hearts, Seth paled and Isis's eyes widened before she began to run in the Pharaoh's direction. Jono led the way, Ryou was on Isis's heals.
Yugi looked at the hesitating Princes, he put his hands on Heba's shoulders "I've got him, go," he encouraged. Yami leaned in and kissed his forehead before dashing after him, Atem kissed the back of Heba's hand.
Yugi rocked Heba in his arms. "The Pharaoh?" he asked softly, dreading the answer.
Heba shook his head "Atem's Pharaoh now."
Atem and Yami crowded their Father's bedside when they saw Isis hovering over him, her cheek resting by the Pharaoh's mouth and Ryou holding his wrist for a pulse. Mahad hovered by Isis, waiting to be of assistance.
Isis's blue eyes were wide as she remained by the Pharaoh's side, as if waiting for the punchline to a bad joke. Then she pulled away, looking defeated.
Ryou met her eyes and shook his head also.
"No." Yami gasped without realising.
All three healers, magical and otherwise, looked up as they realised the Princes were standing by and witnessing everything. Isis looked sad for them and bowed her head, unable to meet Atem's eyes. "I'm sorry."
Seth stood in the background with his Father and lover, also staring with disbelief at his uncle. Aknadin was blinking his single eye open and shut over and over as if to dispel an illusion, his brother …
Isis took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. Anubis has his soul, his body is cold, it happened last night while he slept," she murmured, her voice shaking as she looked into the past and saw the god of death take the Pharaoh by the hand and lead him away in a painless sleep.
Atem stared at the face of his Father, unable to take in the fact that he was gone. He suddenly felt young, alone and lost … Yami was the only one he could sense in his shock.
Mahad put his hands over the Pharaoh's body and began to chant. "O, Anubis! Mighty Anubis! Pharaoh Aknamkanon has entered the gates to your realm, and we ask that you deem him worthy. His spirit is a brave one, and his soul is an honourable one. O, Anubis! Mighty Anubis! As you take his measure, and weigh his heart as he stands before you, know that he was loved by many, and will be remembered by all. Anubis, welcome Aknamkanon and deem him worthy of entrance, that he may walk through your realm, and be under your protection for all eternity. O, Anubis! Mighty Anubis! Watch over Aknamkanon as he bows before you."
As Mahad finished the death prayer he turned to the grieving twins, both sons had tears in their eyes when the prayer was finished. "The seventy-two days of mourning have begun, then, Atem, we shall crown you Pharaoh as was your Father's dying will," he informed as gently, yet formally as possible.
Atem looked up, surprised. "Me?"
Yami looked surprised too.
Aknadin grunted gruffly "We had long discussions over the successor of you two, and decided that Atem was most prepared for the position of Pharaoh, with Yami as Crown Prince, ambassador, second in command, and the people's voice until an heir is born. Unless you wish to rearrange the priesthood and council, Seth will remain high Priest in your service, and we will all be advisers to your rule."
Atem nodded without speaking. Accepting his role with silent numbness.
"That was the result of our discussion," their uncle said once again "But, as twins, Yami has the right to challenge your position. Should he want to or wish it."
Yami put a hand on his brother's shoulder "I'll respect Father's choice. I always knew I wasn't fully suited for the throne, but I'll serve it. You'll do him proud. And I swear to always be there to help you," he promised.
Atem covered his hand and turned away when Mahad removed the Millennium pendant from around his Father's neck, as well as his crown. Preparations had to be made, but for now, everyone allowed themselves a moment to mourn.
When Atem returned to his chambers Heba was sitting and waiting for him. He waited for Atem to sit down on his bed before speaking "I'm sorry."
Atem tensed and turned away "I thought he would always be with me. I knew that one day this would happen but … he was always so strong …" he closed his eyes as more tears came out.
Heba put his arms around him. "He was a man like you and me," he reminded him gently. "He loved you, but that was his time, there was nothing we could do about it," he comforted.
Atem clenched his fists "Nothing?!" he yelled, pulling out of Heba's arms to glare at him. "Yugi could have done something! Why didn't he see anything! Why didn't he use his sight to see this coming!? My Father could have been saved! He would still be here and I wouldn't have lost another parent!" he hissed, suddenly angry and wanting someone to blame.
Heba glared as well before slapped him hard. "How dare you! Yugi isn't at fault!" he yelled.
Atem was shocked into silence as Heba continued to shout at him.
"I saw his death myself, it was of natural causes, nothing we could have prevented. The stress had weakened his heart over the years and it was clearly only a matter of time," he informed slightly harshly. "Even if he did see it what would you have done differently in a predetermined scenario! Said goodbye? Embarrassed him by making Isis lengthen his life by a few hours with strength not his own? Would he be awake to sense his death instead of passing away peacefully? Yugi probably believes he could have done something, he will hold a guilt that isn't his, and don't you dare go about thinking it's justified just because he didn't see it coming! It was better this way."
Heba closed his eyes and let out a small sob "I also blamed Yugi for a while. Why hadn't he seen the witches coming to our village? We could have prepared, escaped, or surrendered to save our people. But then I realised that this was all meant to be. We may have powers to see things, but we're still pawns and tools for the gods. It was the god's plan for us to end up here, and Yugi couldn't have prevented the massacre even if he had seen it. The only way we would willingly stay here is if there was nothing left for us out there …" he wiped his eyes "There was nothing he could do, then and now …"
Atem listened to his rant and held his stinging cheek with shame. He looked away as he felt a lump in his throat. "I'm sorry. It's not Yugi's fault, I know, I just … I …" he buried his head into his hands "I'm not ready. I'm supposed to be Pharaoh but I … I need him."
Heba sighed and pulled him back into his arms "Don't hold back for me. I know how you feel. But you have Yami, Yugi and me, Seth and your priests, and your people. We'll help you if you let us," he promised. "But don't hold back now, I want to help you as you helped me. Remember him, and miss him, I won't leave you."
Atem clutched at Heba and began to sob uncontrollably into the teen's shoulder. "I want him back, I never said … I never said goodbye or told him I loved him or …"
Heba nodded patiently, it would be a few long nights. But he wasn't going anywhere. "I know, I know. I wish I could have done the same with my family…"
Meanwhile Yugi was watching as Yami stared up at the sky, unmoving. He hadn't said a word or looked at anything else since he returned to his bedroom. Yugi nervously stayed by the archway, he knew Yami was in pain but didn't know how to approach him.
Missy and Alice, who had been moping in the gardens since this afternoon had approached the Prince, only to be ignored. Yugi patted them comfortingly and urged them to go to their beds.
Yugi drew up his courage and moved to stand just behind Yami. He cautiously reached out and touched his arm. Yami flinched but didn't do anything to acknowledge him. Yugi's eyes filled with tears as he sensed the pain radiating off Yami like heat, he didn't know how to help him.
Eventually he pressed his forehead into Yami's back and silently cried. He mourned for the Pharaoh who had been so generous and understanding to his Brother and himself, and who had clearly been a kind man to have raised two good sons and Princes. It wasn't fair that his life had to end now.
Yami felt Yugi's tears on his bare back and silently covered the hand on his arm.
Yugi looked up at the touch and hoped Yami would at least turn to look at him. But he remained distant. Yugi sobbed without realising it and covered his mouth. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he hiccupped.
Yami glanced at him and croaked "For what?"
Yugi wiped at his eyes "I didn't see it. I could have seen it, I could have done something." He began to sob once again "He was so kind to us and I couldn't repay the favour, what's the point in having my sight if I couldn't help the Pharaoh? What's the point if I can't protect those I love."
Yami pulled Yugi to his chest and crushed him there "Don't Yugi," he begged through a sob of his own. "If you keep saying such things I might just believe you could have … but Isis saw it herself, Heba too, the gods had decided that it was … that Father was … ready for the afterlife," he shuddered as he spoke, every time he opened his mouth he had to forced words out instead of sobs.
Yugi held him tightly "I'm so sorry," he gasped again. "You're wrong, I am a liar. When I promised my past self-everything would be fine … I lied!" They stood in silence for a long time. Tears fell as the two held each other in comfort and sadness. "I hate that I can never see clearly until it's right before me, why do the gods hide things for me?" he hiccupped "Do they not want us to be happy?"
Yami pulled back and looked Yugi in the eye "How do you do it Yugi?" he asked in a soft voice.
Yugi looked confused.
Yami cleared his throat "You lost everything and everyone who you loved before you came to live here, how did you get past all the … hurt?" he collapsed by the end of his question. "I feel lost, alone, hurt … I want him back!" he gasped.
Yugi knelt with him and let Yami cry into his lap. "You let yourself hurt, you let yourself cry. It never goes away, or gets truly better, but eventually you learn to like the ache he's left behind because it's proof that you loved each other, its proof that you'll never forget him." he rubbed Yami's back and held his hand as he curled up. "I wish you never had to feel this," Yugi admitted and kissed his lips briefly before settling to let Yami express his pain.
"WHAT!" Mana yelled as she looked at her mentor. She was pale and shocked. Mahad had just finished telling her and Matthew the bad news. "That can't be true. Master Mahad, that can't be true." Tears started to fall slowly as the priest shook his head.
"It's true Mana, the Pharaoh has passed to the next life." Mahad said, a stoic face present. He looked to see Matthew with his head hanging.
"Are you sure it wasn't the doing of those witches?" Mana asked, looking for anything, something to blame. But Mahad shook his head. Tears fell heavy as she fell to the floor.
"I didn't get a chance to repay him for his kindness…" Mahad looked up to Matthew to see him with eyes shut tight to hold back the tears that threaten to fall. "DAMN!" he yelled, magic sparking with his anger and sadness. Cracks appeared around his feet and the air shimmered as it fried off his skin. He felt a hand on his shoulder and look to see Mahad. He sighed as the magic calmed, several tears fell as he apologised.
Mahad nodded. "You've experience enough death in this lifetime. Maybe you can help another?" he asked, looking back to Mana crying on the floor.
Matthew nodded and went to the girl's side. He carefully sat next to her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Mana looked to him, eyes red and puffy, before latching herself onto him. Matthew wobbled, he got his balance as he sat them down and held her close. He rocked them back and forth, whispering her comforting words.
Once the two on the floor calmed, Matthew looked to Mahad and asked, "Is there anything we can do? Maybe we can do something for the Princes?"
Mahad hummed. "For them, I say just stick by their side. But I think we could use a few good spells to protect the Pharaoh's tomb."
Mana looked up, wiping away her tears. "Can we help in that please Master?" she begged. Mahad nodded, making the girl smile a bit. "We can still help the Pharaoh out Matthew!"
Matthew nodded with a small smile of his own. "Yeah, we can." He looked to Mahad and promised, "I'll make sure those spells are the best! No thief will be able to easily break in or get out."
Mahad nodded with a grateful smile. He went over to the two and helped Mana up. He grunted when the girl gave him a crushing hug. He patted her back as she started to cry again.
Jono still couldn't believe it. The Pharaoh was dead. It seemed so surreal, even to himself, he who had found his body.
He looked to Seth and Ryou. They all had left the room and went to the nearest garden to catch a breather. Ryou was upset because he had lost a patient, it always took a toll on him, and Seth had lost family. Seth looked stone faced, not showing any emotion at all.
Ryou looked even more upset then him. He walked over to Seth and carefully placed his hand into his. "Seth? You okay?"
Seth shook his head. "No I'm not. The Pharaoh's dead and now we have to put get Atem ready for him to take over … I still can't believe he's gone …" he never got to thank him for overruling his Father that one time. The time when Aknadin found out he was with Jono. He was outraged, but the Pharaoh was understanding and had allowed them to be together.
Ryou unknowingly nodded, to busy lost in thought to really pay attention. The moon was a curve of a knife's blade tonight, it reminded him of Bakura's love of sharp things. "He's going to be happy," he mumbled.
Jono blinked and looked to the pale teen. "Who?"
"The Thief King. I'm sure Bakura's probably cheering his bloody head off about this," he sniffed aloofly.
Seth growled at the mention of the Thief King's name. "Damn bastard."
Jono sighed before leaning against Seth. "Can we just forget about him and try to remember the great man that was our Pharaoh? Please, I don't want another fight right now," he demanded, begging with tearful eyes.
The two sighed, but agreed. Seth pulled him into him and held him as the blond silently cried. A few tears fell from sadden sapphire eyes as he hid his face into blond locks.
Ryou watched from the side before sighing. He got up and left, heading back to his room to grieve alone.
Far away, the news had spread fast.
Bakura looked gleeful at the news his newest thief had brought him. The man was fresh from the city, some talent in law breaking, but he was easily mouldable. However since he was recruited only today he had great news.
"The Pharaoh is dead?" he laughed. "He is dead!" he shook his head, hardly believing it, "He's dead!" he roared in victory and all around him the ghosts of dead villagers cackled and moaned in undead delight.
Vivian and Anzu looked out of their wagon's window when they heard Bakura laughing like a maniac. Anzu growled "What's so damn funny!" she demanded.
Vivian sneered "It had better be good, I was having a wonderful dream," she sniffed.
Bakura smirked "Aknamkanon is dead!"
The witches stared.
"You're serious?"
"Deadly." Bakura began to cackle once again, putting the witches own laughs to shame. "The damn Pharaoh popped his royal slippers last night! You hear me Kul Elna!" his laughter was starting to disturb his thieves, they backed away as the man expressed his mirth.
Slowly smiles began to spread over the faces of the two women. Anzu's eyes lit up in delight "Dead, and we didn't even have a hand in it!" she squealed. "This is proof that the gods favour our plan, now there is one less man who stands between our goal!"
Vivian swooned "And my darling will be the Pharaoh, and he will call me for his Queen!" she clapped her hands giddily.
Bakura laughed even harder. "'Fraid not." He countered "Rumour has it that your so called lovers have had the twins with sight in their beds, if you know what I mean," he sniggered.
The girls gasped.
Vivian fretted, looking heartbroken "Damn him! My darling is just confused," she began.
Anzu slapped her, stopping her excuse for escaping her mouth "No they're not! But we have a way to make them ours no matter what, and those two brats will be ours to take power from. All we need to do is-"
A man ran up to the carriage "My Lord, my ladies, we found it!" he panted.
The three stood up.
Vivian snapped her fingers "The tablet? Show us."
The man lead the Thief King and the two evil witches through the village. The witches' aura's were keeping the ghosts at bay, and since they promised to get revenge for their undead souls the ghosts had allowed the group to move in; but only after the input of Bakura, their fellow villager. They walked down a chiselled staircase, deep under the houses of Kul Elna above, seventy-two steps into the earth. Then there was a large cavern where the slaves and the thieves were digging around, looking for something.
At the end of the cavern, sticking out of the wall the slaves were still digging into, was a gold block. Slightly round like a circle, but it oozed with black ink that turned smoky when it hit the ground. The man pointed "Found it just after a cave in."
Anzu and Vivian shoved their way to the front and stared at it with wide, hungry eyes. It was gold, but oozing with power, they knew it was really made of solidified souls; ninety nine of them. All their evils and regrets locked up inside the tablet.
Anzu put her hand on it and gasped when she felt the power inside it. "This is it," she whispered. The presence within was unmistakeable.
Vivian copied and bowed slightly "If all else fails, we shall destroy them with the help of the first shadow monster." She blew away some dust and revealed the first of the slots "Our darlings have seven chances to realise who truly deserves them, and if they refuse …"
They bowed and the slaves and even Bakura copied when the gold glowed red. "Our master returns."
Ashley: That's creepy.
Amme: Well most people seem to have guessed what's coming, not all of it, but most.
Crystal: Poor Pharaoh, and poor Princes.
Kathy: With Atem as the new Pharaoh, there's going to be some changes around here.
Amme: You bet. Some people trying to sway him to their views, others against, they think he'll be a push over because he's so young.
Ashley: Well they're in for a surprise.
Sapphire: Please leave a review, and it's my turn to update next. See you soon!