Phew I'm exhausted. The cross country race season started today. I am not as run fit as I was, having struggled to run much, because of an achilles problem I had, which lasted for over a year, which really got me down at times especially when it forced me to pull out of the London Marathon this year. Thank goodness I have had Yugioh fanfiction to keep me occupied.

This chapter is full of family fluff. I wanted to feature a bit more of Little Atem as he is sooo cute. It also reminds me of when mine were that age! I don't miss mealtime tantrums though!

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh.

For the Sins of the Father

Chapter 13. Terrible twos!

Rolling over onto her side, Anzu yawned and stretched. Oh dear! Her back felt a bit stiff this morning. She wondered what her legs would feel like when she tried to stand up. She squinted at the clock. Eight fifty? Wow, she had slept late! She cast a protective, motherly look at the cute little spiky head, fast asleep next to her. Hardly surprising that she had slept in, Little Atem had refused to sleep in his own bed again! Yet another nightmare had woken him in the early hours. That was three nights in a row, that he had become distressed. What was wrong? She had heard about night terrors, but he was such a happy little boy. He kept asking for Yugi, clearly upset that his father was away, so perhaps it was the change in routine? He had settled down again and slept, once Anzu brought him in with her and he looked peaceful now. She wondered if she should take him to the doctor. But each morning he had seemed perfectly fine and not the least bit fazed by the bad dreams, so the doctor would probably think she was exaggerating.

She sighed, got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, relieved that apart from tight quads and calves her legs were not too bad. She would need to do a good warm up though, to ensure that she didn't pull any muscles or strain ligaments.

The en suite door opened while Anzu was brushing her teeth, she turned round to see a still half asleep Atem standing there.

"Good morning sweetheart." Anzu cooed softly. "Shall we go and have some breakfast?"

"Bek..fast." He repeated in a sing song voice.

The Mutou family's kitchen/dining room was bright and spacious, with patio doors that lead from the dining area out onto a patio and neat garden. The kitchen was expensive and of modern design, with brushed stainless steel appliances and marble worktops that would make most keen cooks envious. Neither Anzu or Yugi were expert cooks, although Anzu liked to think that she was at least capable of feeding her family without giving them food poisoning!

She decided to make Tamagoyaki (rolled Japanese omelet) with steamed rice, while Little Atem scooted around the polished wood floor on his ride on, toy tractor.

Anzu poured herself a mug of tea and flipped on the large flat screen TV, positioned on the dining room wall facing the towards the kitchen work area. Flicking through the channels she decided on the world news channel. Having lived outside of Japan for a few years, it was quite nice to see what was happening around the world. Much of the news went over her head as she busied herself with making the breakfast.

"Atem?" She called out "Breakfast is ready now." He came running in from the sitting room, having ditched the tractor in favour of a toy Blue Eyes White Dragon, which had been a birthday present from Mokuba.

Anzu strapped him into his high chair and placed his food in front of him. She then went to get her own. When she turned round he was sticking the dragons head into his bowl of rice and making a growling dragon like noise.

"Atem, what are you doing? Give mummy the dragon?" She went to take it from him.

"Dragon hungry!" He scrunched his face up and pouted at her, clinging onto the dragon.

"Dragons don't eat rice." Anzu went to take the dragon away again.

"Dragon eat mummy.. Garaghhh..." He started hitting the dragon on her arm playfully. Anzu wasn't really in the mood for two a year old child's meal time antics.

"Mummy eat dragon... Garaghhh.." She successfully got the dragon from him and placed it on the table in front of her and out of his reach. "You can have it back when you have been a good boy and eaten all your food."

He immediately banged the try of his high chair in irritation at having his toy taken away and started having a typical 'terrible twos' tantrum. "Want dragon?" He wailed. Scrunching his face up angrily, he picked up his plate and threw it on the floor.

"Atem!" Anzu snapped loudly, making him jump. He responded by crying.

"Want dragon?" Of course the tears were mostly forced, in an attempt to get his own way.

"After you have some food!" Anzu sighed and bent down to scrape his food off the floor. "You can't eat this now." She sighed. He wasn't usually like this, he was probably playing up because Yugi was away.

Just as she set about scraping up the dropped food a news flash came on the TV. 'Severe storms..Egypt..Unseasonal heavy rain...' Anzu paused at hearing snippets of what the news reader was saying and slowly stood up to listen to the words she had just heard in between Atem's tantrum. She suddenly didn't care less about the toy Blue Eyes. "Here?" She said handing it back to him.

He grinned. Tears immediately stopping, he hugged the dragon; giggling at his victory. When Anzu didn't react he looked up at her with wide eyes. She was staring open mouthed at the TV.

Anzu grabbed the phone and dialled Ishizu's home number, she urgently needed to find out if Yugi was okay.

Rishid answered. She had woken him up! In her panic, it had not occurred to her that it was a little after four in the morning in Egypt. Unfortunately he didn't seem to know any more than she did, he wasn't even aware there was even a storm! It had not reached as far as Cairo.

"It must confined to the furthest edge of the Western Desert." He informed her. "Ishizu and Marik are in Luxor, they didn't mention any storm! I will try and contact them and get back to you as soon as I can."

"Thank you Rishid." She gave him her mobile phone number. "I may not be able to answer if I am in rehearsals, so leave me a message okay?" He agreed and told her not to worry.

Anzu was in a bit of a daze as she got herself and Little Atem washed and dressed. She hoped that she would get some news before she had to go out. It occurred to her that perhaps she should call the studio and say that she was sick, but decided against it. Yugi would be fine, it was not like he had not been experienced a storm before! He had shelter, of course he would be okay. But what if they had all been buried? Their bodies might never be found! She tried to keep busy with housework, in an attempt to stop herself thinking about it.

Around an hour later Ishizu called. Anzu answered immediately.

"Please tell me Yugi has been in contact?"

"I am afraid that I have been unable to make any contact. Marik and I are going to try to reach them by road, drifting sand may be an issue. But if anyone can get us there Marik can. His hobby is dune racing."

"Why are their communications not working, they have satellite phones, don't they?"

"They do, but they are not always reliable. If their satellite receiver is damaged it could take them time to repair it. In the meantime, please do not worry, their camp is well equipped. They have plenty of food and water. Yugi will be fine I am sure."

Anzu decided to put a brave face on and carry on with her plans for today. It would help take her mind off things, and besides, she couldn't let everyone down. She was over reacting, Yugi would be okay, he had to be?

Gathering up all the things Little Atem would need, she packed his bag. Towel, swim trunks, floatation ring, spare clothes, and just in case she was late picking him up; toothbrush and pyjamas. Satisfied that she had everything, Anzu took his little hand and lead him out to the car.

As soon as Jonouchi answered the door Maiko put her arms protectively around Little Atem and kissed his cheek. He pouted and looked up at Anzu before giggling and allowing himself to be lead into the sitting room to play.

Jonouchi grinned. "Meh heh... She wants him as her little brother! I think she might kidnap him if I can't persuade Mai to have another kid."

"Yes, I suppose it won't be long before he wants his own little brother or sister!" Anzu pulled a face. "Yugi already keeps suggesting it. He doesn't want Atem to be an only child like he was. The Pharaoh was the closest he ever came to having a brother."

"Have you heard from Yugi?" Jonouchi had been pulling some long shifts at the fire station lately and had not seen much of his best friend.

"He called yesterday, communications are not very good where he is." She said quietly. She didn't mention her concerns, it would be silly to get everyone else worried, when there might be nothing to worry about.

Jonouchi noticed her slightly tense posture. "You sure nothing is troubling you?"

"No. I'm fine. I just worry about Yugi being away. There was a sandstorm in Egypt last night, so until I hear from him I can't help but worry." She forced a smile. "Anyway, how is work going?"

"Yeah, fine. We been doin a lota practice drills, and going round schools, teaching fire safety procedures and stuff. Look, don't worry about Yuge, he'll be in touch soon as he can." He patted her on the arm. "C'mon let's join the others?"

He lead her to the sitting room where the children were playing. Mai and Sarah were sitting on the sofa drinking coffee and keeping an eye on the children. The twins a boy named Seito and girl whom they had named Kisara were just turned one year old, they were not identical but you could definitely tell they were brother and sister, both had sparkling blue eyes, fair skin and blond hair. The little boy Seito was full of confidence and was already walking quite well. He was trying to snatch a toy truck from Atem. At first Atem resisted but wasn't used to having other children be aggressive towards him, so he let him take it. Seito then promptly threw the toy to one side and toddled over to Maiko and Kisara to snatch a doll they were playing nicely with. Maiko was trying to show Kisara, who was still not quite confident enough to take her first steps, and was the shyer of the twins, how to dress the doll. Maiko was a feisty child and was not about to put up with Seito's antics.

"No!" She scolded him and pushed him causing him to fall on his backside rather ungracefully. He immediately started crying and toddled to his mother for comfort.

"Maiko! That wasn't nice, you shouldn't push little ones." Mai said sternly.

"Well, he deserved it, he is mean to Atem." She pouted.

"Atem can take care of himself." Anzu said, secretly wishing he had stopped Seito taking the truck. While it was nice that he was a lot like Yugi, she hoped he wouldn't be a pushover, like father had been as a child. Atem seemed quite happy though, having shrugged off Seito's behaviour, he had retrieved the truck he had been playing with.

Sarah lifted the crying Seito onto her lap. "You should play nicely, then other children will be nice and want to play with you." He stuck his bottom lip out and frowned before burying his face in his mothers chest and hugging her tightly.

Atem noticed Seto crying and brought the truck over to where Sarah was holding Seito.

"Here Seito.. play?" He held the truck out for him. The adults all looked on in amusement.

Seito turned and gave him an incredulous look, but didn't respond.

"He's Yugi's son alright!" Jonouchi chuckled.

"Atem is offering you the truck Seito, take it? And why don't you go and play with him nicely?" Sarah said softly. Reluctantly Seito slid off her lap and took the truck from Atem and sat at his mothers feet clutching the small toy.

"Atem?" Anzu called him over to her and gave him a cuddle. "That was a very nice thing for you to do."

"Mummy play?" He pulled at her hand, She got up and went with him. They found a large jigsaw puzzle, Anzu helped Atem to assemble it. Seito came over to join in. Anzu handed the pieces to Atem and helped him work out where they should go, she had to give him a few hints and although it was a puzzle designed for 3-5 year olds, he really was pretty good at it. He let Seito help, by showing him how to push the pieces into their proper place. Seito responded by cooperating nicely and not crawling all over the puzzle.

"Yep! He really is just like Yugi. Brilliant problem solver." Jonouchi confirmed.

Anzu enjoyed the rest of the morning, it was nice to take her mind off things for a while. Luckily everyone was too preoccupied with the children to have any boring adult conversation, otherwise she doubted she would have been able to keep her worries to herself, and after a light lunch it was soon time for her to leave to go to the studio for rehearsals.

Anzu said goodbye to Sarah and the children. Mai, Jonouchi and Maiko, walked out to the car with her, along with Little Atem, who clung to Anzu, not wanting her to go. Anzu hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"Mummy has to go to work now sweetheart."

He wrapped his little arms tightly round her neck. "Want to go work with mummy?"

Anzu stroked his hair. "Jonouchi is going to take you swimming with Maiko. You will enjoy that more than watching mummy work!"

That seemed to brighten him up a little. "Mummy swim?"

"No darling, mummy has to practice her dancing, so that you and daddy will be proud when you come to see me perform."

Maiko took Little Atem's hand. "I got my new armbands to wear. Mummy can we show Temmy my new armbands?"

"Yes of course sweetie." Mai winked at Anzu and lead Maiko and Atem back into the house while he was distracted.

"Thanks Mai." Anzu turned to Jonouchi. "Kids eh?"

He leant forward and gave her a hug. "Yeah, wouldn't be without em though." He grinned. "You let me know as soon as Yugi gets in touch, okay? And stop worrying?"

"Thanks Jonouchi, I will try not to. It's just awful not knowing anything." She got into her car and with a wave goodbye, drove off.

The moment she pulled up and parked outside the studio, she grabbed her phone from her bag, there was still no news from Egypt! Anzu sat in her car, looking for any information she could find on the internet regarding the storms, in particular news of any casualties. All she could find was that two people had been killed when their car hit a truck, thought to be due to poor visibility in the storm. Nothing about any archaeologists lost in the desert. She figured that was probably a good thing. As no news was good news. She put her phone in the front pocket of her bag, where she could reach it easily. For now she would need to concentrate on her dancing, but she would check her phone for missed calls at every opportunity.

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Once everyone had washed and dressed, it was time to sort out the damage done to the camp. The sand needed clearing from the vehicles. What was left of the tents they used for sleeping in, needed a lot of sorting out. One of the most important tasks was to get communications up and running as soon as possible, so that they could contact civilisation and let everyone know they were safe. The satellite receiver was no where to be found. It had been ripped clean off the roof of the van and had vanished somewhere among the sand dunes. Luckily Mitch had a spare and was busy setting it up, so that he could get their base network working again.

Pierre's number one concern was the dig site. He had sat in the main tent in a state of depression, not wanting to go outside. So far no one had bothered to go over and look and the area where they had been working.

"I can't believe this is all happening!" He mumbled, when Yugi and Dominic came back into the tent to try to persuade him to go and get washed and dressed properly, so that they could go and assess the dig site.

"Hey! look on the bright side. The wind may have blown all the sand away and revealed all the dwellings and tons of treasures." Dominic tried to cheer him up a bit.

"Or piled another ten feet of sand on top of everything. We will never find what we're looking for this rate. Everything's against us!"

"You don't know that." Yugi told him. "At least come and have a look? It might not be as bad as you expect."

Just at that moment Alain came running in, his eyes wide with excitement. He had just been for a stroll through the dig site. "Guys!" He was panting heavily from running. "You gotta come and see this? I think I may have found something!"

Yugi and Dominic ran outside, but stopped to wait when they heard Pierre shouting after them.

"Hey, wait up guys?" Pierre grabbed a clean pair of trousers and pulled them on over his shorts. He hastily pulled on some dry socks and his boots and followed the others outside.

Another cliffy! And I still haven't resolved Atem's dire predicament. I am so mean. Snigger, snigger. Don't worry. I plan to start the next chapter with Atem. So, rest assured, you will find out what happens to him very soon.

I also have some more from the afterlife to come, as I have not included them lately.

Please Review.