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Chapter Seven: The Connector's Sacrifice

No matter how many times Jounouchi would later reassure him, Yuugi would always look back and place the blame at his feet. He was the one who knew about the visions that Jounouchi would endure. Of course, he was never sure about whether or not Jounouchi would inherit the ability, but the chance was present and it was Yuugi's duty to inform the newly dubbed Connector of any and all side-effects his abilities would have on his body, soul, and eventually, mind. Yet, Yuugi was too caught up in the fact that he would finally have someone to understand him. It was a mere bonus that it was his best friend.

"I know you, Atem," Seto uttered, placing himself in the chair situated across his fellow Alpha. "You're not interested in the Connector's mental state. You're interested in his ability to do his job correctly."

"I am." Atem acknowledged without a hint of shame. "He is one of the two links connecting us to the spiritual realm. You must understand that I and the other Alpha Sentinels of Japan are quite worried about how Katsuya-san is handling his new title." Atem turned to Yuugi with an expectant stare. "I trust that he's not handling the visions well?"

Yuugi lowered his gaze, ashamed, before giving a short nod. "He's afraid of it. He doesn't know what to do or say about it."

"Surely," Atem murmured, leaning forward and pinning Yuugi down with an intense stare. "You have given him comfort about what is to come? That the visions are merely pathways?"

"I have but that is a mere comfort in the way of things, Alpha Ishigami." Yuugi eased into the chair next to Seto who reached out and placed a hand on his forearm in comfort. "You stated that you are inquiring about the Alpha Sentinels of Japan? I didn't realize that the Council was summoned."

At the inquiry, Atem's lips curled into a mischievous grin that rankled Yuugi down to his bones. "It wasn't an official summon and I was near the Prime Minister when the shift of power happened so he was curious about our new Connector and sent me here for an unofficial visit."

"I didn't realize that a wolf was sniffing at our door." Yuugi murmured, eyes lowering half-mast as he took in Atem's appearance again. The man was powerful, Yuugi would concede to that, but arrogance surrounded him like a bad smell and Yuugi would see him gone before sunset.

"Come now, little one." Atem chided, lips twitching at the vague insult. "If I was a wolf then you wouldn't know I was coming would you?" Atem waved a hand towards Seto. "My counterpart was fully aware of my arrival-"

"Yet," Seto cut in gently. "I didn't know the reason for your visit which you refuse to state over the phone. If I knew that you would be prodding into the life of my Guide then you would have been barred at the entrance of my city." Seto leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "If the Prime Minister of Japan would have wanted to know the state of the current Connector then he should have visited himself and not sent a watchdog."

"You know that he is a kind man, Seto," Atem stated all pretense of playfulness gone from his tone and gesture. "You know that he is in his last days of life. It wouldn't be wise for him to travel at the moment. He is worried about his country and of his community. Do not sit there and say that you wouldn't do the same."

When Seto made no move to reply, Atem shifted his gaze to Yuugi and continued. "I wish to meet with this Jounouchi Katsuya and inquire about his health myself. I trust that I will receive no barriers in this?"

"None." Seto acknowledged quietly, drawing a surprised look from Yuugi. "You are to do what you see fit, but only what the Prime Minister ordered. If I find you sniffing where you don't belong, a challenge will be waiting for you."

"Very well." Atem rose from his seat, dusting off his clothing before turning his attention to Yuugi. "Lord Motou? If you would show me the way?"

It was on the tip of Yuugi's tongue to go tell the older man to screw himself, but a touch on his arm forced him otherwise and he was rising from his own chair with a hollowed smile.

"Of course." Yuugi turned to Seto with a pleading look in his eyes. "Will you join us, Seto? I'm sure that Jounouchi would find comfort in your presence?"

For the first time since they've met, Seto's eyes flickered with hesitance before rising and joining them at the door. Yuugi wanted to reach out - to comfort his friend but didn't think it was appropriate.

Jounouchi was found in the courtyard, situated near the fountain that was built in celebration of Seto's Ascendance. It took Yuugi a moment but he noticed that Jounouchi had a glazed look in his eyes, his mouth twitching as if he was trying hold back his laughter. It didn't take long for Yuugi to realize that his friend was in the middle of a vision.

"Stop," Yuugi ordered softly, earning looks from the older men. "Let him finish."

"He's so still." Seto murmured, watching his mate with apprehension and tense shoulders. "He looks as if he could break at the slightest touch."

"I've heard of the Connector's vision, but never did I think I would witness it," Atem whispered, his eyes refusing to stray from the subject in question. "Is it harmful?"

"No," Yuugi responded, watching with thinned lips as Jounouchi's head tilted back and forth as if he was in a drowsy state. "It will be - eventually- if he doesn't learn how to control it."

"Is he allowed to tell us what he's seen?" Atem pressed, drawing Yuugi's curiosity. Is that what the man was here about? To see if Jounouchi's visions can be told or stopped?

"It's not permitted." Yuugi felt a surge of victory at Atem's subtle disappointment. "You are ignoring the Laws of Destiny and Fate should you know what he's seeing, but he does have the choice of either ignoring or acknowledging it."

"What good does it do to have such a talent if he can't share it with the world?" Atem argued quietly. "Think of the doors closed because he has to keep quiet-"

"And think of the lives saved because he does, Alpha Sentinel." Yuugi countered. "As much as we don't want to admit it, our actions have consequences. If he saves the life of a man today, then what's stopping that same man from taking the life of his wife and children the next? Or, what happens if he tells a woman that she's going to die if she takes the train? What's stopping Death from taking another life to continue the proper flow? The Laws of Destiny and Fate are in place for a reason, Alpha Sentinel and you would do well to remember it."

"And you would do well to remember who you're talking to in such a manner, Lord Motou." Atem snapped back, eyes narrowing into near slits. "Or," Atem's gaze slid from Yuugi to Seto who returned the look almost tenfold. "Does the Alpha Sentinel of Domino City allow the Eyes of the Eagle to talk to anyone with such appalling manners?"

"I remember telling you to watch your tone while you're visiting, Atem. I forgave you for the lack of warning when you entered my city, but the disrespect ends when you insult the Eyes of the Eagle. You know what he means to our world and the next."

"That gives him no right to do as he pleases." Atem retorted. "I know my standing and I know his but I have not spoken out of turn since my arrival and I demand the same respect or are you incapable-"

"What's going on?"

Jounouchi's question forced their gaze from each other to the man sitting on the bench, staring at them with a touch of bemusement. The Connector to move to rise but Yuugi rushed forward, with hands outstretched with a tight frown.

"Don't get up." Yuugi urged Jounouchi back onto the bench. "I heard it's a little woozy after a particularly long vision."

"Right." Jounouchi peeked over Yuugi's shoulder. "We have a visitor?"

"Of course." Yuugi moved aside giving Jounouchi a clear view of Atem. "Alpha Guide Katsuya? This is Alpha Sentinel Atem Ishigami of Battle City. He-he has come to inquire about our new Connector."

"Ah." Jounouchi made to rise from his seat, despite Yuugi's protest and approached Atem, his eyes lowered in a manner befitting his station. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Sentinel Ishigami. I am sure that my husband was more than accommodating while I was away?"

"Seto has always been welcoming to me when I visit. I do apologize that I was not in attendance for your Bonding Ceremony." Atem nodded his head. "I will be honest that I am here on the Prime Ministers' orders to inquire about the new Connector who has yet to introduce himself."

"All introductions will be made at the Gathering in a month's time," Yuugi stated softly. "The Connector is in the process of getting used to his abilities and he will be in proper form in time for the Gathering."

"He looks as if he's going to drop dead the moment I walk out of the room." Atem deadpanned. "You realize that if he isn't ready next month that his abilities will be stripped by the Oracle Mazaki?"

"I know Anzu." Yuugi rationalized, a grim frown on his lips. "She will not be so callous as to strip a Connector when we are in desperate need of one? I am sure the Prime Minister is worried, but such callous judgment will be the end of us all. I am beginning to wonder if you don't have some hidden objective."

"I am not your enemy." Atem pulled out a vial from his coat pocket and it didn't take Yuugi nor Jounouchi long to figure out what that it was an enhancer. - a drug that forced the abilities of latent Guides to the surface.

"What were you planning on doing with that?" Seto appeared at his side, silent and dangerous, a far outcry from his previous attitude. "Waiting to slip it into someone's wine?"

"It was my original intention," Atem admitted, placing the vial into Seto's hand with a tight smile. "Yet, I see there's no need for it. We have our Connector - a newborn Connector, but one nonetheless - and I intend to show him the ropes."

Jounouchi and Yuugi, still shaken at the sight of the enhancer, gave him a confused look. "What do you mean show us the ropes? You have no former-" Yuugi stopped, a feeling of horror coming over him in waves at the sudden theory that popped into his head. "You weren't-? It's-that's not possible."

"What's not possible?" Seto demanded. "What the hell is going on?"

"You were supposed to be it?" Yuugi continued, ignoring Seto for the moment. "How did it just skip over you?"

Atem shrugged, a sardonic smile on his lips. "It seemed that the Fate and Destiny that you're so in love with decided that I wasn't a proper fit." Atem nodded towards Jounouchi. "They decided that it was time for a new legacy to start."

Yuugi was at a loss and he could do nothing but shake his head. "The Ishigami Family were Connectors? You were meant to be the new Connector?" Yuugi shook his head. "I am sure that there is an explanation. I am quite sure."

"You may investigate to your heart's content, but we have other matters at hand such as getting Jounouchi in shape in a month's time." Atem turned to Seto who was staring at him with a blank stare. "If I am allowed?"

"You are," Jounouchi spoke up softly. "Despite your intentions, they were well placed and founded. So, teach me, Alpha Sentinel, teach me how to be a proper Connector."