Valkyria: Thanks for reading.

Disclaimer: I claim no rights to the anime/manga Yu-gi-oh


"I've been in strange situations in my short twenty-three years, but never did I encounter someone as fierce as Rehema Ishigami. She is a woman that is as dangerous as she is sweet. I didn't want to meet her, but like her son, she has an oppressive presence that could call the strongest man to heel." - Yuugi Motou

Chapter Fifty-Two - Queen's Decision- Part One

A beautiful woman was sitting at his kitchen table and Yuugi was positive that a woman as beautiful as this one had any reason to be sitting at his table at ten'o'clock in the morning on a Saturday. Regardless of how he felt, it was impolite to leave the woman wondering if anyone was going to serve or talk to her so Yuugi took it upon himself to step further into the kitchen and introduce himself.

He would later reflect on his stupid this decision came to be, but in the meantime, he was all to happy to glean information off this mysterious woman.

"Good Morning." Yuugi greeted, taking a seat in one of the spare chairs at the table. "Is there something that I can help you with, ma'am?"

"Are you Yuugi Motou?" the question was sharp and on the side of demanding, but Yuugi was quick to reply that he was the one she was looking for. "My name is Rehema Ishigami."

Ishigami?

Ishigami?

Yuugi sat shock still in his chair, now getting the chance to take a closer look at the woman who sat before him. The similarities between this Rehema and Atemu were shockingly obvious and Yuugi wanted to hit himself for not noticing earlier. The question was how she was related to Atemu? Was she a cousin, sister or long lost twin?

"I'm his mother." Rehema stated, deciding to help Yuugi out for the moment. "I actually just arrived in town and I heard from Mana about your little relationship troubles."

He was going to kill Mana.

Yuugi swallowed, his eyes straying from Rehema's crimson eyes to the untouched stove and refrigerator. "Are you hungry?" Yuugi asked, rising from the chair and making his way to the appliances.

"Sit." Rehema commanded.

Yuugi sat back down before his brain register what in the hell happened. He stared at the woman before with profound respect and felt a flash of pity for Atemu who had to put up with this commanding woman all his life. He wondered just how much crap his old boss got away with or rather, how much Rehema let him get away with. Either way, he felt a trickle of fear flow down his spine when Rehema smiled, her light crimson eyes staring at him, inspecting him like a lion would its prey.

Yuugi swallowed and decided that this wasn't going to be very good morning. For anyone.

Rehema crossed her fingers under her slim chin, her stare turning amused. "I apologized if I frightened you, dear. I hear that I can be a bit intimidating when people first meet me." Rehema giggled, the sound like soft bells in the wind and if the sound would have come from another source than it would caused Yuugi to relax, but he remained tense, waiting for Rehema's next words.

"I came here to talk to you about my son." Rehema sighed, looking exhausted at the thought. "My Atemu is a bit of a bullhead. He can be quite stubborn about admitting what he wants and as you can understand, it can cause other people problems. More than once did I have to come up behind him and sweep up his problems."

Yuugi nodded his head, indicating that he understood where Rehema was coming from, but he couldn't help but feel like he was just threatened in the most subtle manner.

"However, I am starting to see that it is my son as well as your fault for this entire mess." Rehema pursued her lips in thought. "He has divuluged to me about his short sexual escapade to me and-"

"Huh?" Yuugi felt his face heat when Rehema tutted in his direction. Who in the world told their mother about their sexual escapades? Either this woman had a profound effect on people or Atemu wimped out and he was inclined to believe that it was a little bit of both! Who knew Atemu was such a Mama's Boy?

"Ishigami-san-"

"Rehema."

"Rehema-san-"

"No, no, sweetheart, just Rehema will do."

"Rehema." Yuugi began in exasperation. "As much as I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to come and talk to me about Atemu, I'm sure that Atemu and I can handle it."

"If that's the case then why haven't you handled it?" Rehema raised an eyebrow at Yuugi's flustered face. "As a matter of fact, why would either of you let this relationship turn so bitter and rotten?"

"I'm sure that Atemu has informed of you as to why we let this relationship rot." Yuugi lips thinned at the wording. "I'll admit that it's my fault as much as it is his, but that night we made a deal and I believe that I was the only one who upheld it."

Rehema stared at him, her own lips thinning with displeasure. "Surely, Yuugi, you understand that once you have a taste of forbidden fruit, you'll go for another? You can't sit here and tell me that you didn't want another shot at my son?"

Yuugi's face heated, looking away at Rehema's inquiry. Of course, there were times that he wanted to jump Atemu just as the man wanted to jump him. However, he was stubborn and pushed Atemu away again and again until his old boss was just as bitter and harsh as himself.

"Let me ask you this; do you want to be with my son?"

"Yes." Yuugi responded quietly, grateful that she didn't press her previous question. "I want to be with your son, but it's going to take time and it's not something that we can rush. I don't want to make the same mistake as last time." Yuugi face heated with shame at Rehema's snort of disbelief. "I don't want to break Atemu's heart just like he doesn't want to break mine."

Yuugi blinked when he felt Rehema's hand ruffling his hair, the action made him feel like a child who was good at school and it was only the fear of being hit that stopped him from pushing her hand away. After all, she was the type of woman who could turn poisonous at the drop of a hat.

"You're such a kind-hearted boy." Rehema murmured, her eyes soft as she continued to pet Yuugi's hair. "I think Atemu failed to mention just how special a person you are, Yuugi Motou."

"That's the problem." Yuugi firmly pushed Rehema's hand away, giving her an apologetic smile when she shot him a confused look. "I'm not a special person. I'm just Yuugi. I'm not what Atemu thinks I am and I think that's one of our problems. I make mistakes and I'm going to hurt him in the future and I'm sure that's he's going to hurt me with his words and actions. I don't want a perfect relationship." Yuugi looked away from Rehema's stunned features. "There's no such thing as a perfect relationship."

"And I'm not looking for one." Atemu's spoke up, startling Yuugi and Rehema from their own thoughts. "I'm not trying to pressure you into a perfect relationship, Yuugi. I just want to be with you." Atemu stepped further into the kitchen, placing a hand on Yuugi's shoulder and giving it a tight squeeze. "I'm sorry, mother, but could you give us a moment alone?"

"Of course." Rehema gave them both a stern glance. "I hope that when you emerge from this kitchen that the both of you will have a different outlook on your situation?"

"No promises." Yuugi smiled, ducking his head when Rehema gave him a playful slap on the head before leaving them by themselves. The moment the kitchen door swung shut, Yuugi tensed when Atemu slid into the seat his mother previously occupied. "Your mother's right, you know?"

"Isn't she always?" Atemu murmured, amusement coloring his tone, but Yuugi was no fool to see the underlying bitterness. "I'm sorry."

"So am I." Yuugi coughed. "I'm trying to put this entire thing on you and it's my fault. I can't comprehend how much I've hurt you in the last few months."

"You've hurt me a great deal." Atemu admitted quietly. "So much so that there were times when I wanted to give up on us. But, the moment the thought of letting you go occurred, I felt guilty. You have this hold over me and I don't understand why it's so strong and why I can't let you go." Atemu reached across the table, taking Yuugi's hand into his own. "I want you, Yuugi, and nothing is going to change that, and if you don't feel the same then you need to tell me now."

"Atemu-"

"No." Atemu interrupted firmly. "I can't keep going like this, Yuugi. I can't keep chasing after you and wondering if you're playing with me like a cat is playing with a mouse. One moment you're acting like you want me and the next you're pulling away like I'm a dirty and disgusting secret."

"That's not true at all." Yuugi whimpered in protest. "I want you."

"Then prove that you want me." Atemu continued softly. "Look, I get that you're scared about this relationship and at points, so am I, but if you want something then you should go for it. I want you and I'm pursuing you. I want you in my life for as long as you'll allow me to be Yuugi, but despite the fact that I can't stop longing for you, I'm not going to keep chasing you. It's going to hurt, but the moment I think it's not worth it then I'm going to move on, do you understand?"

"So, you're giving me an ultimatum?"

"Yes." Atemu didn't bother trying to deny it and Yuugi flinched at the bluntness. "I'm giving you an ultimatum." Atemu rose from chair, pressing a kiss to Yuugi's cheek. "Come talk to me when you're ready."

"Atemu-"

"Come talk to me when you're ready, little one." Atemu repeated without stopping. "You know where to find me."

Yuugi watched, dumbfounded as Atemu left him sitting alone in the kitchen with his mouth agape. This wasn't the way he wanted the conversation to go, but he couldn't blame Atemu for being forceful and giving him an ultimatum. In Atemu's position, he would have done the same and deep down, Yuugi was glad for it. The force of Atemu's gave him the push that he needed to make a decision that he needed to make.

A decision that both of them wanted.


Atemu's mansion was just as foreboding as it had been that night so many weeks ago, but it was the man inside that frightened Yuugi. A man that was so sure of what he wanted that it was enough for Yuugi to want run back to his car and go back home to his grandfather where it was safe. But, instead of running, he walked up to his former boss' door and rang the bell, his heart racing against his chest as the doorknob twisted revealing Atemu's surprised face.

"You came," was the first thing out of Atemu's mouth. "I thought I was being too forceful."

"No." Yuugi murmured. "It was just the right amount." Yuugi shifted on his feet, an awkward silence descending upon them. "I wanted to thank you for what you did, Atemu."

"For what I did?"

"It was your ultimatum that got me into action and thought of losing you." Yuugi blushed at having to admit such a thing. "I want you, Atemu, I know that I want you, but the love and care that you have for me is nothing compared to what I have for me."

"No." Atemu responded softly. "It isn't, but with time, I can believe that it can be just as strong." Atemu chuckled at Yuugi's shy smile. "My mother told me that my father loves her just as strongly as I love you. We Ishigamis have a tendency to love a little too strongly and we have a habit of scaring our significant others off."

"You won't scare me away, Atemu." Yuugi pressed closer to the older man. "Not anymore."

"I won't?" Atemu's voice lowered, his eyes darkening at the feel of Yuugi against his body after so long. "I can hold you to that?" Atemu pulled Yuugi further inside his home, shutting the door behind them and locking it securely.

"Yes," Yuugi whispered fervently. "You can definitely hold me to that promise."

"Good." Atemu murmured, leaning down and placing his lips against Yuugi's in a light, chaste kiss. "That's very good."

Yuugi shivered against the feel of Atemu's lips against his own. Those perfect, sweet lips that made his toes curl and a moan to escape his lips. He smiled against those lips, frowning when Atemu pulled away, only to blush when Atemu's gaze went to the stairway, the way to his bedroom.

"Can we?" Atemu asked, knowing Yuugi was smart enough to know what he was heavily implying. "Can we, Yuugi?"

"Yes." Yuugi responded, his skin and blood heating at the very thought of what Atemu wanted. "Yes."

Atemu smiled, the motion full of sensuality and heat before dragging Yuugi up the stairs leaving the loneliness, despair, anger, frustration they had for each other behind.