Littlefox64:…
Atem: She okay?
Yugi: She's stuck on something.
Hikari: Can we help.
Yami: *Crosses arms* And do What?
Yugi: Try explaining the stuff You left out in FTWBAPTW.
Littlefox64: *sighs* that name Needs a makeover…on to chapter 9. Oh by the way there is some odd writing in this if you haven't seen this in FTWBAPTW then look at it, it explains there are other languages and what the look like. Thank you!
__________________________________Healing chamber_____________________________________
Yugi swung his lags over the side of the bed, he looked around the empty room no one had come to see him yet. All the priests and gods were in with the pharaoh going over plans of what to do next and Atem was in his lessons till sun down. His bare feet hit the stone floor with a small thud, he glanced up to Yami who was asleep on his head. Slowly walking to the window the young boy glanced out.
"Why does it feel so dark the sky has been gray for a week. And the shadows are angry." Yugi said to himself. He may have been ten when he was taken, but even at that age he was trained as a light priest. Yugi could read and write at least three, no, four languages perhaps more. He knew the prayers and the rituals of his people, though he never really had a chance to practice any for a while but one.
" Gnorw si tahw Yugi" Yugi glanced up at the woken up guardian and smiled.
"Nothing is wrong, I was just thinking about home. I haven't prayed to Ra in a long time well not to just pray, death or help was the only things I asked for."
"Then sing your mothers Morning Prayer maybe Ra will light the sky again." Yami Yawned and smiled the song was one of his favorite things in this world and he had heard it many a time but Yugi's mother sung it wonderfully and Yugi was even better his voice could carry longer and was sweeter when he sang the whole village would stop and listen till the song was finished. Yugi nodded took a breath and closed his eyes placing his hands together he let out a soft sigh and began.
"Yks eht ni nus, ho high"
[Sun in the sky, sun way up high, ]
Yami closed his eyes and listened as the song started out soft barely filling the small room by the 2nd line it would start to carry.
"hgih pu yaw os nus eh tot, I o dos gnis uoy sa",
[ as you sing so do I, to the sun so way up high…]
Ra sat up as the soft song reached his hears he knew this song well and thought he would never hear it again.
"is something wrong?" The pharaoh asked every on now looking to the god.
"Shh listen. Everyone did hearing a faint whisper of a song slowly gaining volume it was a beautiful melody. Some closed their eyes as the listened.
"Yb seog yad a ton, em rof tes, em rof esir,"
[Rise for me, set for me, not a day goes by,]
Palace workers looked up from choirs and work to try and hear the soft sound.
"Thgirf fo tuo ym ho em ho, yrc ton od I that"
[that I do not cry, oh me oh my out of fright]
Clashing swords stopped as the melody found its way to the prince's training Hikari blinked as he sat on Atem's shoulder and looked to the healing room. Yami's presence that was normally bold was softer calm along with the whole palace a, calm was setting in.
"Thgim em evig dna dlrow eht thgil uoy,"
[You light the world and give me might, ]
"What is that?" One of Atem's teacher's asked looking to the palace.
Atem looked at Hikari who was smiling. "Sounds like singing." The other teacher said.
"It's beautiful…" Atem said closing his eyes and letting the melody take him away for a moment.
"Era yllaer uoy erehw em llet esaelp, srats eht gnoma noom ho noom,"
[Moon oh moon among the stars, please tell me where you really are,]
"it's a prayer." Hikari said with a smile as he started singing along.
"A Prayer? Who is singing it?" Atem asked.
"thgil gnieve htiw gniyalp dna gnicnad,thgin fo daed eht ni yaw ym thgil uoy,"
[You light my way in the dead of night, dancing and playing with evening light,]
"Yugi is. It is a prayer from his village a song to greet the sun and say good bye to the moon."
"Yugi?!" Atem dropped his sword and ran to the palace 'This melody seem so bright yet sad, it calms the soul and takes worries away. But does that mean hea's worried about something or just at peace?' Atem asked as he ran through the halls.
"thgil sgninrom llit em gnicetorp dna, thgirb os enihs nus ym gnipleh,"
[Helping my sun shine so bright, and protecting me till mornings light,]
Atem saw everyone on the way was calm even the guards they were all still as he got closer he began to calm again too. But that didn't stop him from thronging open the door to the healing room.
"thgin siht no, em raeh , em raeh , thgis morf sedih taht noom ho noom,"
[Moon oh moon that hides from sight, hear me hear me on this night,]
Atem stopped as he saw Yugi by the window watching the sky and looking just as calm as everyone else in the palace. His hands were clasped together and his eyes were closed. Atem smiled and leaned on the door why had he been worried?
"Thgirf ni ton dnats em tel, thgeih sti ot nus ym gnirb."
[Bring my sun to its height, let me stand not in fright.]
"After noon prince, aren't you suppose to be training?" Yugi asked not turning to look at him.
" Uh…it's not important today I cut out early…uha…. I see you are feeling a bit better how about we go into town for awhile no one would really mind us going." Atem said not knowing how else to get out of cutting his lesson short.
"Okay but what of the plans the gods are making?" Yugi asked.
"You don't need to worry of that till next week, besides you are mine now."
Yugi nodded and Atem took his hand leading him outside the palace to the stables, after putting on more apt cloths, Atem helped Yugi onto his horse then climbing on himself knowing Yugi wasn't fit to ride alone yet.
Atem sped from the stable knowing Seto had left the meeting early and took off with Joey to town meeting up would not be hard.
____________________________________In The Town_______________________________________
The white horse slowed to a steady pace as the duo entered the town. Yugi had turned and clung to the prince he had never ridden such a beast in his life! He had only ridden on a Camel and that was once when he was small. Atem hopped down once they stopped, once both feet were on the ground he helped Yugi off the beast. Yugi wobbled and fell forward grabbing Atem's waist as he did waiting to hit the hard hot sand covering the ground. When no impacted came he looked up to see the older boy keeping him up.
"S-or-ry," He said pulling away and looking down, Yes a thread of trust had formed between them but Yugi would not let it grow farther, like he had said he always came back… Yugi knew this too well. He had told the pharaoh about the threat and he would help if he could but he had learned a long time ago everyone wants something.
"It is alright." Atem said starting to walk away but keeping close to the boy the market could be deadly at times. Yugi looked in awe at things he'd never seen before, as well as watching people interact. This was his first time being among market goers outside of his village, and not among them as an item to be bought. Atem slowed or stopped as the boy did allowing him to watch and look among the streets.
Yami and Hikari stayed close as well keeping watch on their masters something didn't feel right, Yami could feel something dark looming about. He went to his master hiding in the boys hood sitting on his shoulder.
"How do you feel Yugi?" He asked see some of the pain from the still not completely healed wounds Yugi gave him a look knowing something was off.
"Yugi?" Atem asked looking back to him. "Do you need to rest? You're still hurt and should not push your body to hard." Yugi frowned and stepped in pace with the prince. Taking hold of his hand, this trust he could play too, though he wanted it to be real just once.
Soon they came across two boys in similar clothing to their own Atem smiled and started talking to Seto, Joey grabbed Yugi's hand pulling him off and out of the others sight Yugi looked back afraid if nothing else the price was a protector and not being able to see his protector scared Yugi more then death right now.
"It's fine Yugi." The blond said pulling Yugi's attention back to himself. "Seto needed to speak with the prince we won't leave them long. Seto wants a fruit what was it called again…" Joey thought for awhile.
Yugi blinked as the blond went about talking of this fruit, that's when he saw the stand not far off, Atem had told him to get something he wanted and gave him money. Why not get a fruit for the prince and Seto he had enough. Know the prince he would be told that the money was his to do something for himself, not to buy rare fruits with.
Yugi went up and asked for the fruit Joey had described not knowing the name, He was given two as he asked and gave the woman selling it the right amount of money. When he turned Joey was gone and he was lost in the crowed.
"od ot era ew tahw" Yami asked now sitting on Yugi's shoulder. The boy looked around he could find his way in an open desert why could he not in a busy market? Yugi sighed he would have to go looking for them.
"I don't know what we are to do…" Yugi closed his eyes.
"You could ask me?" Yugi and Yami fell to the ground as Hikari popped up in their faces.
_____________________________________With Joey________________________________________
The blond was so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't seen Yugi leave his side or the fruit shop nor did he think of how far he had gone since leavening the priest and prince till a thought hit him.
"Hay Yugi could you help me..," He turned and look behind him no Yugi, "YUGI?!" He started looking around franticly he was so dead now!
"Using the way he came he ran back toward where he knew the horses were, he'd look on the way but he needed Atem, two half dead strangers had come in to the town a day or so ago, at least that's the gossip in town, and by the sound of it, Yugi may be in danger!
________________________________With Atem and Seto____________________________________
"So I heard something earlier today, the word in town is some odd looking strangers came in to the town this morning."
"Strangers?" Atem asked as he sat next to his cozen keeping his eyes out for Yugi and Joey, Seto sent Joey off to find something and Yugi seemed to get dragged along. Not that he didn't trust Joey but Yugi seemed to not truly trust anyone it had only been a few days so he did not expect undying trust from the light yet. And speaking of light where did Hikari wonder off to? Seto broke his thoughts.
"Yes, they were half dead like being out in the desert for at least three days, I trust the guards but what if those 'people' came back?" He added watching the same as Atem for the other two in their party it did not take an hour to find a damn fruit!
"You mean Tea and King Ushio." Atem look beyond angry as he looked to his friend, "If they are I may just kill them myself they almost killed Yugi and a once proud people no longer walk this earth." His ruby eyes flashed he knew something was wrong ant his fears were proven as a blond ran up to them his hood pushed back worry on his face as well as panic.
______________________________Somewhere In Town__________________________________
Some one watched a boy in a hooded cloak wander around from a dark alleyway. The boy looked lost a smirk flashed as the person's face they stood and stated towards the boy. They stopped as they heard someone speak.
"Why can't we just go over and end it now!?" The voice belonged to a woman her voice sounded like a demon's, they shook their head keeping in the shadows as the continued, blending into the crowed.
The boy was talking to someone, but not a person, a small spirit maybe. They had watched the boy had been watching this boy since he came into town with the prince, they saw the bland boy leave with him and him going off on his own for just a moment. No one seem to notice him or that he was lost, the way the boy was holding his body, it was easy to tell he was hurt.
They smiled this would be easy slipping to another shop now behind the boy they stepped closer reaching out slowly he placed their hand on the boy's shoulder.
____________________________________With Yugi _______________________________________
Yugi looked around, the shadows were acting odd but so was its counterpart, they both pulled at all his senses, something was closing in but of which he did not know.
A hand was placed on his shoulder, Yugi jumped turning hopping not to see one of the two people he feared it was. He was met by violet eyes, eyes he knew, Yugi wrapped his arms around the other letting his fear be seen.
"Sh, Shu, Yugi, your okay." The other said patting his back. "We can talk later let's get some were safe." He pulled the boy off into the crowed, Yami and Hikari hid in Yugi's hood.
As Yugi was pulled along his eyes never left the ground he kept pace with the boy who was a foot taller than himself, the light brown cape hid most of his body but some of the sun bleached hair stuck out.
Soon coming to a small shop, out of the way of the main market, where Yugi was pushed into a seat and handed some water. By a boy with white hair and brown eyes, Yugi jumped up hugging both of them.
"Malik! Ryo! Your alive!" Both smiled doing the same. Yugi pulled back wincing at one of the wounds on his back.
"Last I saw you, you were being led away by Ushio. Did he leave you here to die this time?" Ryo asked worriedly now looking over the boy.
"No he wasn't left here by the man who slaughtered our home, he was with the next pharaoh." Malik cut in as Yugi went to answer.
"Prince Atem hurt him?!" Ryo asked in alarm looking to Yugi who shook his head Atem would never do that.
"The king left me in the slave trade some time ago, the pharaoh got me for the prince, when Atem saw me he was glad. I think it was because the girl after his heart does not like slaves… She came after me." Yugi stated.
"Tea?" both asked only knowing from seeing the girl once. Yugi nodded.
"She tried to kill me, the prince stepped in to protect me then the pharaoh and the gods."
"So why were you alone on the street?" Ryo asked.
"Joey took me to get some fruit for one of the priests and then walked of thinking where to find it. I was just about to ask Hikari to show the way to the prince, when Malik grabbed me."
"Good thing I did, too. Our not so close friends are around, once your back with the prince keep by his side the rest of the day." Malik said giving Yugi a big brother look. Yugi nodded.
"Uh Yugi," Yugi looked to Ryo. "Who is Hikari I thought Yami was your spirit guard?"
"He is, Hikari belongs to Atem he followed Joey and I."
"Yugi?" Yugi looked down to both Yami and Hikari who now hovered in front of them. "I can't find Atem the shadows are blocking me!" He had his balled fists in front of his chest.
"We'll wait a bit longer then find him Hikari or he'll find us." Yugi stood up flinching the shadows were everywhere and his wounds hurt more the ever something was upsetting the shadows.
"Come on let's go find your prince." Malik said pulling Yugi up. Yugi smiled and took the hand offered to him.
The three put on their hoods and slipped outside going slowly they made it back to the main market.
_______________________________With Atem, Seto & Joey __________________________________
Atem sat down exhausted Joey slumped next to him and Seto took a drink of his canteen.
"We looked everywhere!" Joey said it had been another half an hour and they had looked almost everywhere in the market.
"Maybe he was taken…" Seto said Atem look tiered and panicked He did not have Hiikari either so he could not use him to help.
"I was suppos to protect him, this was for fun not to lose him. Oh gods he hasn't drank anything since getting he must be in so much pain! He's still hurt too!" Atem put his head in his hands.
"We'll find him Atem! We may have to go back to the palace for help but.." Seto tried knowing it was all but hopeless.
No one spoke they all knew this was bad and the shadows were not helping madders it was hard to get a clear fix on anything it was over and if Yugi was not dead he would be unless they found him.
Atem had known Yugi didn't fully trust him but trust was there, if they did find him after a run in with that hell demon again he would get the I told you so speech then Yugi would never speak to him again. What use was having a slave that never spoke?
Something soft touched Atem's arm and he jumped looking to see relieved eyes looking back at him. It to him a moment but a smile broke out as he wrapped his arms around the boy. He could have sworn tears were in Yugi's eyes. Yugi hugged him back snuggling his head into the other. He may have been with friends but he had still been scared, he sniffed lightly. Atem looked down holding him tightly.
"Shush shh I'm right here." Trust was still growing but the attachment to one another was one thing neither would question ever. As for the trust it was slowly forming.
"Atem…" Yugi whimpered, "I was so scared, the shadows got to thick…" He sniffed again.
Atem looked up from the now sobbing boy, to see two new faces he blinked, the white haired one smiled.
"You're the first that he has ever done that with other than his mother." He said the one next to him nodded.
"You know Yugi?" Seto asked voicing Atems shock.
The blond one replied this time. "Yes we grow up together. I'm Malik and my white haired friend is Ryo."
"Please keep an eye on him till you leave, Tea will go after him again if he is alone. We will see you another time, goodbye Yugi you to Atem." With that they walked off.
Yugi sniffed again watching them go, he knew they were not mad for him being a crybaby out of the blue he had always been the strongest of the three and never once showed that much pain or fear only thinking of them.
"After all this I didn't get my fruit." Seto voiced not that he really cared the thought just crossed his mind.
"The one Joey spoke of?" Yugi asked not wanting to leave the arms cocooning him at the moment. Seto looked to him then nodded. "That were at the place he walked right by and left me at?" Joey blushed and looked away.
"I guess…" Seto said looking to Atem. Then Yugi dug a something out of his pocket and tossed it to him.
"That one?" Seto nodded looking it over. "Here." he handed one to Atem as well.
"Thanks." Atem said taking a small bit, he smiled and offered some to Yugi, he did the same he was to hungry and tiered to play the no game now.
"I will get you anything you want to show how sorry I am for this." Atem said Yugi just nodded.
Hikari came to his master after waking up in Yugi's hood. "Where have you been?" Atem asked. He yawned and looked at Yugi.
"With the light, I was going to bring him back but the shadows…."
For the rest of the time in the market Yugi kept hold of Atem's sleeve. Atem could see how tiered he was as they got back to the horses, he helped the boy up then climbed up once both were on Yugi put his arms around Atem, he still hated horseback riding.
____________________________________Ride home________________________________________
Seto and Atem had bought more of that fruit, Joey and Yugi had liked it too, so a pack of that sat on the back of Seto's, Joey had new cloths and some other stuff Seto bought. Atem had a few things but he kept it light anything heavy the others got he had two people on one horse. He was glad he could ride without looking, seeing as Yugi had fallen asleep and he was worried about him falling off.
Truth was he rather liked watching the boy sleep as for Yugi he was to tiered to care. Yami and Hikari were dancing about in the fading light and singing about the sun and moon, dark and light. No one said much not wanting to wake the sleeping light.
__________________________________Back at the palace____________________________________
Seto went to tell everyone the news that they had found out Joey unloaded the goods and Atem too Yugi to his room. Once there he set the smaller boy down laying next to him. His thoughts went back to Yugi's eyes when he found them the hope, loneliness, sadness, fear, joy and two others they were only there a moment but, Trust and love has flashed in his eyes.
The prince ran his fingers through the boy's hair a smile on his face as he pulled him close and fell asleep in the orange light.
Littlefox64: Wow 9 pager I love you all sorry it is late!