A/N: I'm getting too excited to post these! Omg but if I post too quickly I won't have enough to post! lol I'm loving your responses though, each and every one of them. The battle was so intense so thank you all for sticking through it. I promise good times are ahead!
Side note: I also don't want this story to end. They're so sweet and I love you all. Perhaps I can think of another plot for a sequel, we will see. In saying that, it is not over yet :D
I hope you enjoy the chapter, hang in their for good times!


"He's asleep. I don't think his wrist is broken but if he doesn't get it properly tended to it could be worse for him." Bakura said to his group of friends as he rejoined them. He and the towns physician overlooked his injuries together; he mostly assisted as she was very demanding. He understood most words but her tone was what threw him. She seemed to think he was unqualified but little did she know he probably knew more about treating an injury than she did; what with being a modern day medical student.

They were sitting now in a small house, likely belonging to said physician, while Atem was outside assessing damages and tending to Kingly duties.

"It's good they're here. I can't believe everything that's gone down." Tea said quietly.

"I know. Too much has happened today." Tristan agreed.

"But Yug's here and alive and Atem survived too. We're all here." Joey said, trying to pick up the mood with his energy.

"Yes but seeing Osiris here is unnerving." Bakura sighed.

"I know what you mean." Tea said worriedly.

"Why. Didn't he show up to freak out Thomas?" Joey asked.

"I think it's more than that. What he said to Yugi - that he has a choice to make." Bakura began.

"And Yugi saying he's decided to stay… does that mean he doesn't want to come home with us?" Tea asked.

"But we went through so much to get here. To bring him home." Tristan complained.

"True Tristan but -" Joey began, his tone now serious even for him.

"But what?!"

"You saw how he was with Atem. I knew they were close and it was pretty obvious he hadn't let him go yet even after all these years." Joey continued.

"I guess it's confirmed. Yugi loves him and Atem loves him too. Can we really be okay with separating them ... again?" Tea asked.

They said nothing, struggling to find the best answer here. They wanted Yugi to come back with them, of course they did… but Atem was here and … well how could they separate them? But were they ready to say goodbye to both of them?

"Guys." Atem said by the door softly, immediately stealing their attention.

"Atem!" They all exclaimed, standing to greet him. The locals of the house each bowed low, muttering words of praise and honor to him but he waved them up gently, indicating it was okay to be at ease.

"Please relax. This is your home, not mine." He said in Egyptian to them. They shared glances and moved to excuse themselves, though as they watched them leave they found it cute that while behind a wall they still peaked to watch. Atem giggled them off, ignoring their innocent curiosity and stood alongside his friends.

"How is he?"

"He's asleep. It didn't take long for him to pass out. We managed to straightened his fingers and have heavily bandaged his wrist to keep it firm. I don't believe it's broken but it could be fractured. Sprained at least." Bakura said.

"It seemed worse." Atem observed.

"It's not a light injury. It will take several weeks to fully heal and I expect he'll complain each step of the way." Bakura shrugged.

"I see. How are you all? I never got to ask but did they hurt you?" Atem asked.

They shared glances but in the end offered him a warm smile.

"We've been better but we're okay." Tea said and they all nodded in agreement. It was probably best he doesn't know the details of their capture - besides nothing came of it and Karim was gone now. There was little to be done. Atem seemed to understand though and sighed a small sigh of relief.

"So … you and Yugi huh?" Joey asked, earning himself a sharp jab in the ribs by Tea. "What?"

"Yes… Yugi and I are … more than what we were. I hope this doesn't change anything." Atem said, surprisingly nervously. He almost sounded guilty, unsure if he should be telling them but they were just happy he did.

"No it's great!" Tea said excitedly. Perhaps too excitedly.

"Really, we're happy for you man." Tristan said, slapping him on the shoulder, just like old times.

"I do wonder what this means for Yugi though. I mean … am I correct in assuming he has a choice? To stay or go? Is that why Osiris was here?" Bakura asked.

Atem took in a deep breath and nodded.

"Yes. Yugi is dying. For that matter, so are all of you by being here. The afterlife cannot sustain the living and I'm afraid the longer you remain the more your life will be sapped away. Yugi's just starting to feel the effects of it but he has made a firm, if unwise, decision to stay here." Atem explained.

"What?! We're dying? But … wait why is Yugi deciding to stay? Shouldn't we be convincing him to come home with us?" Tristan asked.

"No nimrod. Think about it." Joey said, smacking him on the head.

"Hey!"

"Yugi LOVES Atem. If Yugi comes home with us we'll be taking him away from him, for the rest of his life."

"But if he dies here then -"

"Then he'll be with Atem forever." Tea finished for him.

"But everything he's worked for, his friends and family back home. What about Grandpa, who's going to look after him and the shop?" Tristan asked. "Why am I the only one asking these questions? And you!" He ended with Atem, pointing at him accusingly.

"Shouldn't you of all people be convincing him to come home? I mean when he dies of old age then he can come here, right?"

"I have raised this point with him. All of these points with him. Believe me Tristan if it were up to me I'd have already sent him home, the day we found out he was dying. I want him here, of course I do. I want nothing more than to spend eternity with him but I don't want him to give up his life for it. Not when as you pointed out, he may come here once he dies naturally. But he's… stubborn. I understand it. It's hard being away from him, let alone trying to imagine what it will be like for years. He's made his decision though and has asked I respect it. I can not do much else." Atem said.

"But this is his life we're talking about." Tristan argued.

"Exactly Tristan. HIS life. And while it is HIS life, it is also HIS decision what he does with it." Atem pointed out.

"I just …" He trailed off in frustration, clearly unable to find the words they all felt. Atem sympathised with him, they all did. It was a shock to find out and difficult to swallow. But it was really simple: Yugi's decided to take the biggest transition early and all they could do was support him in this.

"I know how you feel man, but if Yugi's made up his mind that's his thing. We should probably decide what we're doing." Bakura said.

"How long do we have?" Tea asked.

"Yugi's been here almost 2 weeks. We found out he was dying only a few days ago. Osiris claimed he had a matter of weeks left - so I assume you guys have maybe 2 months but I wouldn't push it." Atem said.

"2 weeks huh…. Time moves differently here then." Tea mused.

"How long has it been since you last saw him?" Atem asked.

"About 5 - 6 weeks?" Tristan shrugged.

"I see."

"Most of it we spent trying to put the Millennium Puzzle back together." Joey said.

"We?" Bakura snapped at him.

"Yeah! Team effort! I did that piece there!" Joey said, pointing at a random piece of the puzzle he couldn't have possibly meant.

"Yeah and we provided snacks." Tristan said proudly. Tea pinched her nose and sighed.

"See what I have to put up with?" She asked him and Atem giggled. Properly giggled for the first time in days. He had missed their antics so much, he had forgotten what it felt like to be in their presence.

"So … whats the plan now then?" Tea asked.

"I'd like to move on to Khemet. Get Yugi some tending to by my physician and start preparing compensation for the town. Not to mention I still have unfinished business I was meant to tend to earlier. On top of that I'm sure you're all eager for some form of real food and perhaps some clean clothes. I'm loath to wake him after he's just fallen asleep but he can rest much easier in one of the Palace beds." Atem said.

"I think thats a good idea." Tea agreed.

"Yes! Real food! Food fit for a King no doubt, this is gonna be great!" Joey cheered loudly.

"It's good to be friends with such powerful people!" Tristan laughed. Again, their musings were incredible.

"Um… if it's not too much to ask. I'll go wake him but do you mind telling them what the plan is? I expect the physician here will be cross with me if I disturb him." Bakura asked of him.

"Of course." Atem laughed.


Thomas rolled several times onto rough, chipped stone, immediately trying to gather himself so he could run from the portal he had opened. It closed behind him instantly and as he crashed into the stone wall he breathed, hard and fast, panting like a dog on a hot day. He was sweating profusely, his skin tingling from the fear that prickled it. The Jewel was firmly in his hand but it's shine was dull, it's whispers were silent and the serene hum of it's song was non existent.

It no longer sang to him, no longer talked to him. This was silence. The silence he's been wanting, the silence they've been desiring since they came to be together but this was not what he wanted.

His heart pounded loudly like drums, his breaths never allowed for a moment for him to think about anything else.

Damn Yugi.

Damn him to hell!

He thought angrily. Punching the wall hard he felt his skin break and tiny bits of stone made his knuckles bleed. He never hissed, never yelped, never even reacted to it as if it hurt; instead he admired the blood bubbling to the surface and revelled in the sting. Even without the Jewel … no … especially without the Jewel he would make Yugi pay dearly.

He should have killed him instead of toyed with him. He should have made him think he was back instead of actually taking him there. He was an idiot for thinking that was a good idea but the Jewel. It's calls to make him feel real loss was too great. He could not deny it's request.

But next time.

Next time he would kill him. Next time he would make him suffer and kill him before he can fight back. He will need to separate his friends first and with this recent attack he was not likely to be alone so easily… especially since his lover is now the actual Pharaoh of this place. Yugi's surrounded himself with exceptionally powerful souls here and with Karim gone too he had no other resources at his disposal.

Osiris was on his tail too. The remaining power of the Jewel might hide him from him but it would not hide him forever.

He lacked time, resources and power but whatever it takes, he will find and destroy Yugi. He could start with his friends. Pick them off one at a time. They're in the God of Deaths eyes anyway.

"Souls…" A whisper, weak and raspy but no less beautiful. He knew this voice and his heart fluttered.

He held the jewel up to his ear, caressing it smoothly and whispering sweet nothings to it, hoping it would speak again.

"Excuse me! Who goes there?" A man shouted from behind. He turned to see a dark silhouette of a man standing tall, a spear at his side. The bright light behind him darkened his features but judging by the way he stood and held himself he was a guard of some kind. Where he was was dark and musty, old and unvisited - he could be the guard of a tomb, alone and intruding on his precious conversation.

"Souls…" The Jewel whispered once more.

"You'll need to come with me at once! Tomb robbing a vile offence, even for a criminal as poor as you." The guard said, lifting his spear to threaten him.

Thomas smirked, hiding his face as he snickered down at his feet. He held his jewel behind him but it finally whispered to him, urging him on, making his blood pulse with desire. The Jewel needed to heal, and souls are what it asked for.

He lacked time, resources and power.

But that would change for in this realm was no shortage of souls.


Bind …

….

For eternity….


The night of Khemet was anything but still. Everywhere one looked life was abound. The streets bustled with excited civilians, music filled the air and bright lights lit the city. Strong aromas of alcohol and hot food spread the cheer from soul to soul as they spoke, sang and danced in merriment for tonight, they celebrate.

They celebrate the riddance of a dangerous enemy. They celebrate the return of their King. They celebrate the arrival of his honored guests. They celebrate the victory they won.

And they celebrate the secured safety of their lands. No longer will the Bandit King raid their villages, kidnap their people for slavery, massacre families. Tonight the fair people of Yemshir are avenged and the atrocities committed there may be put to rest.

All was well in the city of Khemet.

And while the Kings guardians relented, even a little, the King and his honored guests relaxed and caught up on their time apart. It warmed him to know they were much the same as he had left them and it filled his soul with you to hear of their successes.

They spoke long into the night, until the cities people were well and tired, drifting to a calm, peaceful sleep. For the first time in months now Atem felt his domain calm with the departure of the Bandit King Karim.

But while all was well in his city, his palace and with his people, a small part of his heart was reserved for concern, worry and fear for his beloved. Behind his smiles, his wine reddened cheeks and euphoric red eyes, was a man who desperately wanted to be by his lovers side. Just beyond the wall behind him slept the one soul he cared for most. There was naught he could do but wait for him to wake, so he tended to his duty as King and host, and waited.

During the lulls in conversation he would notice some of them look towards the wall they knew Yugi slept behind and while tempted to encourage a visit to check, he tried to distract them with stories of which he had many to share and to his relief, so did they.

Unfortunately as long as they talked and well after they bid their good nights Yugi had not woken. He never stirred not even when he joined him in bed. Rajah watched over them all night but not once did Yugi move. Ahkmen watched over him, Isis peered into his future but saw nothing and Osiris did not come to his call.

His friends tried to wake him and kept him company through the day while Atem tended to his duties but still he did not wake.

As day became night and night became day, his heart twisted and churned until it burned in his chest. His stomach refused to accept much and his mind was overcome with fear and cruel voices. He gave Seto charge on the 3rd day so he could be with him and all day he held his hand and prayed he would wake, he prayed he would return to him.

The tears wracked his body and he quaked with the last thought that perhaps this was his end. He was already exhausted before the fight, he had another fever only several hours before. It was quite possible the fight, the loss of the Millennium Ring and everything that Thomas had put him through, was what would push his body past its limit.

But this is why he stayed with him. Yugi had decided he wanted to die to remain here even against any odds he may not. He knew that while he drew breath Osiris would not take him prematurely nor send him home to the world of the living unless asked to … so long as Osiris did not come of his own volition then Yugi was hanging on, fighting to wake … but if Osiris did show then it truly was time. But he never did in the 3 days it's been since that confrontation.

He was deeply afraid when he saw him materialise that day. He thought he'd have more time with Yugi and that their time would be cut short right before him. He was thankful that Osiris had merely shown to taunt Thomas. With the fracture of his Jewel he was no longer safe from the eyes of the Gods and it would be a matter of time before this place took his life. As for Yugi, this would have been the first time they have spoken, it was natural for them to exchange pleasantries. But perhaps given how long he's been asleep, having his time cut short was still not out of the realm of possibility.

Again, he tremored and squeezed his hand to his lips, tightly closing his eyes to refuse the passage of any more tears. But he could not control the ache in his heart that burned within him.

He was startled when he heard a knock on the golden frame and immediately he spun in his stool to see Rajah welcoming his beloved friends. They waved, cautiously stepping in with their new sandals as if any sound would wake him. It was cute to say the least; nothing would wake him.

His heart stung.

They looked good in their Egyptian clothing. The first day they shook it off but all the stares they received, the whispers around the palace and gossip eventually made them realise it was a good idea to blend in. Their skin was already pale enough to draw them attention that jeans and bright clothing only made it difficult for them to fit in. But they had quickly adjusted, even if at first it was strange to swap pants for a skirt. It's funny: Yugi adjusted so well to it.

"Still not awake yet?" Joey asked as they each came to stand by him. Tea touched Atem's shoulder when his gaze returned to him and as much as he welcomed the interaction, it was not her affections he longed for. He never shook her off but it made his heart sting much more.

"Not as yet." He said solemnly.

"Yugi's the strongest guy we know, he'll wake soon." Bakura said happily.

Atem agreed but he was not so sure this time. They knew his condition now, have seen Osiris first hand to know it to be true… he failed to see how he can still be so hopeful unless he himself didn't entirely believe it.

"Yeah Yug will be up soon. He hates sleeping in." Joey joked.

How…?

How can he joke at a time like this?

He stood then, gently putting Yugi's hand back beside him and turned to pass them, carefully holding his tongue so he would not snap.

He knew Joey was trying to lighten the mood, to be encouraging. He knew he had the best of intentions and he wanted his best friend awake too. He knew this, but still. He was so afraid of losing him, of missing his chance to tell him he loves him one last time, of not hearing his voice again or seeing the light in his eyes. He was so afraid Yugi may be sacrificing everything to come back here only to never make it … how could he have the energy to joke about this.

He busied himself with pouring some wine and breathing while his friends watched Yugi sleep.

"What if he doesn't …?" Bakura asked but trailed off with a grunt. Someone must have stopped him from finishing but Atem had already asked this question many times and he had no answers.

'If he does not wake, then all I can do is pray he finds his way here and if that does not work then I will beseech the gods day and night for the leave to go find him myself, even if it takes the rest of existence.' He thought, teary eyed. His heart pained again and to stop it he drank.

"We can't lose faith in him. We're in the spirit world right, surely he can hear us now more than ever. We just have to believe in him." Tea said.

"Well if he can hear us he better wake up quick. Some of us here can't wait eternity for him." Joey said, surprisingly seriously. He was right there. If Yugi was in some state of limbo and his condition does not change, then their friends must return sooner or later or else they share his fate.

'If he wakes with them gone he will be saddened he missed his chance to say goodbye.' He thought. He turned to look at him, at all of them and as he wondered his his heart felt as if it was shrivelling. 'I should send him home. They can take care of him, take him to a hospital where he will recover and live the rest of his young life and then when it is over naturally he will find me here, waiting. My instinct tells me to do this… but he would never forgive me.'

He felt the sob coming and before he would pull their attention he turned away and sipped his wine, breathing silently and slowly to calm down.

'I asked him not to make me watch him die.' He thought bitterly. Though he was more angry at himself for feeling this much pain. Yugi needed his support, his faith and his love and right now all he could feel was fear, irritation and anger. He wanted to run away. To mount Aisha and just leave his city, his country, this realm … he just wanted to disappear for a while but without Yugi, what would be the point in that. He felt trapped and angry at everything, frustrated because he could do nothing but wait here and sip wine.

'I just want him back.' He thought miserably.

"Hey… Atem?" Tea asked him quietly.

He jumped and sighed in irritation for being spooked and quickly he turned away from her so she would not see the flare of disapproval.

"Yes Tea."

"Why don't you show us around? You mentioned a temple where people could pray? Maybe we can all try praying together." She suggested.

"His condition is not in the care of the Gods. If it were he would not be in this position. Osiris has already met with me on the matter. If you want him to hear you, then being here with him is your best chance." He said stiffly.

"Oh…" She sounded disappointed and down trodden. She knew the truth of his words already and it was only after hearing the sad tone of her voice did he realise her goal was to get him to move, to focus on something that was not Yugi for a change. He sighed, turned to her and gave her the strongest heartfelt smile he could muster under such pain.

"I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I cannot leave Yugi's side. If these are his last moments then I want to be here for him - as much as it pains me to do so."

"I know, it just hurts to see both of you struggling so much. It sucks not being able to do anything about it."

He gave her an understanding smile and a small nod to tell her he knew exactly what she felt when Tristan took their attention.

"There is something we can do about it but according to everyone else, Yugi's already decided to die here. But … how can we just let him? I feel like if this were the living world we would step in, get him some help and maybe a white jacket."

"If only he would wake so he could explain to us his reasoning." Bakura hummed.

"Me." Atem piped up quietly. They all looked at him, expecting an answer. "He wishes to remain here with me."

"Well did you tell him he could come back here after he's done living on earth?" Tristan asked.

"Of course I did! Believe me, I fought for his right to live. I never tried to convince him to stay." Atem said sharply, dismayed that Tristan would even ask that.

"How hard did you try dude?" He asked him and in that moment Atem was appalled. He stood, open mouthed and clutching his goblet tightly. His mind raced with a thousand things to say but none of them reached his lips before Bakura spoke.

"It is true that you both have feelings for one another. I've known Yugi to love you since before you … departed. That is why he tried so hard to operate the Millennium Items even if he did use his studies as his excuse. But I don't believe the Pharaoh would manipulate Yugi's decision. He's always wanted what was best for Yugi - even to go as far as to leave him."

Atem appreciated his support though his last sentence felt more like a stab than anything.

"Thank you Bakura. He's right. I argued with Yugi to go back, told him he could not stay here. I told him I would wait for him but he would have nothing of it. I tried to convince him."

"Words are one thing buddy but what happened to that fire you had when you were with us? You'd have stopped at nothing to save his life."

"And I will stop at nothing but not to save his life! To honor and respect his wishes. He will never forgive me if I force him to leave." Atem was feeling heated now, boiling and on the verge of bubbling over.

"Yugi doesn't have it in him to hold that kind of grudge, especially for one he loves!" Tristan snapped at him loudly.

"You don't understand the position I'm in Tristan! This isn't my decision alone to make, it is his!" He snapped back. Tea tried to take the wine off him but her movements irritated him further and with more force than he intended he slammed the goblet down on the table. He took a deep, deep breath to calm him down as wine dripped down his hand and arm and Tea backed away from him, holding her hands to her lips.

He was furious right now and he hated that it was his friends he felt fury towards.

"Yugi's not thinking clearly and neither are you! You've both just started dating right, everything is fun and exciting and of course you don't want to give that up any time soon. I get it man, I do. But long term: this is Yugi's life. He only gets one of those!" Tristan continued, seemingly unphased by Atem outburst of anger.

"I KNOW TRISTAN! I KNOW!" He shouted, making them all take a breath, blink and recoil. He pinched his nose, breathing deeply and closing his eyes, trying to block them out for just a moment. Thankfully Tristan didn't press further and instead chose to leave the room.

"I'm sorry." Atem said quietly after a while of awkward silence. He carefully and very slowly used the water from a nearby bowl to wash the wine off him but never did he look at his friends. "I know what is happening here. I know what Yugi will lose if I do not force him back. I know you all want him to live. I want that for him too. But he's tied my hands. I cannot break my promise to him. I cannot take this choice from him. I know it is selfish of me to not force him to return with you - but it would be just as selfish of me to do so. Either way, I cannot win here. There is nothing I can do that would be right. He wants this, so I must support him. I cannot abandon him now when he needs me the most." He said, teary eyed and broken.

Tea approached him slowly, careful not to irritate him and even though he hated the egg shells she walked on he accepted her embrace and leaned into it.

"This is hard for all of us man." Joey said seriously, looking down at Yugi. "But I know where you're coming from. I know where Tristans coming from. There is no right answer here. If Yugi's made up his mind, even if it's a stupid decision, then we have to respect that. It just sucks, knowing he won't be coming back with us."

"What will we tell his grandfather? His professor?" Bakura asked.

"That he's in safe hands and happy." Tea said, tearful but strong. She looked straight at Atem then, dead in his eyes. "You will make him happy and protect him." It wasn't a question - it was a demand. One he firmly accepted.

"With all my being."

She smiled, stroked his cheek and left to sit by Yugi's side again.

Joey sighed after a short while though and pet Yugi's hair back.

"Well, I should go find Tristan. Make sure he doesn't find himself in the dungeons. Come find me if anything happens."

"Immediately." Atem said quietly.