A/N: Thank you guys for not flaying me alive! I know the last chapter hurt but I am glad it got the results I was aiming for. This one's not much easier but I do hope you enjoy the read. #PoorPharaohFeels!


Atem knelt before his bed in the Temple, a white silk sheet masking his form and draping to the floor. He rested his head on the stone, lazily slumped over and feeling it's cold enter his body. Despite the warm winds occasionally wisping through his Palace he had never felt colder in the years he's spent here. The coldest winter night never chilled him like this. Drunk naked on the marble floor never froze him like this. His heart was a constant ache, trying its hardest to keep him warm despite the pain he was in.

The irritating murmurings of voices around him echoed in whispers as loud as the fires that cracked in the braziers and distantly in the city he heard the ignorant cheering and celebrating of pockets of his city. Closer to him was the soft cries of his friends trying to remain silent so he could just be here.

He should be praying. He should be walking his guardians through the next steps, should be guiding his friends to confidence and reassurance … but he did not have it in him. Not only did Yugi die in his arms without a word, but he felt him leave. He knew the moment they had performed the ceremony they were connected in a way they had never been. He sensed the direction his thoughts took, the weight of his emotions. He felt the thoughts he had seep into his own mind as if they were his own and felt his presence like a soft beacon. He could close his eyes and know where he is.

So the moment he felt Yugi growing weaker he knew it was time. And it was hard. He barely breathed. Barely kept himself straight with the pain in his heart. But then he silenced his mind, let himself drift to the sounds of his pained heart beating, to the sounds of his friends discussing and as he drifted further from him it was too soon before the immediate snap in Atem's heart was felt. He felt him leave. One moment he was here albeit tired, the next he was gone. He felt the last breath leave him as his body sighed, felt the hand clutching his shirt hit his lap and this was after he felt him leave.

And this was all he could think of as he knelt before his bed, knees and ankles pressed against hard tiles and his crown no doubt leaving a painful indent into his skull. He had no energy to move and no strength to stop from crying if he did.

This hurt.

So much.

He knew he'd be back. It would only take a few days at max. If he was lucky he'd be back in a few hours but this… this still hurt worse than anything he imagined. He would rather face against Karim again and even lose, suffer his wrath, take his torture… than live through this.

Grimly he wondered where Thomas was but even the torment he could inflict he doubted could match this.

"My Pharaoh?" Isis asked him gently, almost scared to interrupt him. He ignored her, hoping she would leave or press on. "Please, your highness. You must rest."

"I'll rest here." He said numbly. He felt her sigh more than he heard it but still there was patience in her voice.

"It will do you no good if Yugi returned and your body was weak from being on the floor all night." She tried to barter. It would not work. This is where he wanted to be. Close to Yugi whether he was here or not. He cared not for the soft warmth of his bed, for what could be soft and warm about it now that Yugi was not here to share it with him? Yugi slept upon a stone bed, so should he.

"Leave me." He said. She knew his tone was final. It was not sharp or demanding but patient … but she knew there was only one of those patient demands before they did become sharp.

So she left him with what he assumed was a bow and as her steps became feinter, as did the voices of everyone else in the temple. He did not risk the glance, instead he froze and concentrated on the silence until he knew he was alone before he let the single sob he's been holding onto out.


"Poor guy." Tea said sadly outside, watching the Pharaoh believe he was alone.

"Hes coming back… right?" Joey asked, unsure.

"I think he is. Thats what we all believed." Bakura supposed.

"It must hurt more because they're soul bound." Tea said.

"Yeah…" They all agreed, sighing.

"So… do we go wait for him? Maybe?" Tristan asked.

"I suppose so." They agreed and began to dawdle away. Tea lingered, watching the pained Pharaoh before Yugis bed, watching his shoulders heave with the silent tears he released.

"He'll be back." She whispered before the left to catch up with her friends.


Hours pass and Pharaoh Atem never left Yugi's side.

The sun had risen, travelled and set and not once did he move, save for switching from his knees to resting his back on the stone.

He waited. Prayed. Pleaded and called for him on the winds so that he might return sooner.

None disturbed him. His priests never approached. His guardians pretended to ignore him. His friends would check on him but never did they linger long.

Night fell and the gods did not answer him. Osiris ignored his calls, Yugi never returned. So he waited.

His body protested and pleaded with him to find a bed, a cushion, a bed sheet, anything but he tiredly remained. His eyes were heavy, his heart ached, he could not stop yawning but he never slept. He opted for pacing, stretching, leaning on Yugis stone bed, standing vigil … anything to keep him awake.


"Have the guard at the gate on alert. And send word to the outposts to be on high alert. If there is movement in our sands we are to know of it immediately." High Priest Seto commanded. Two captains bowed their heads and left, spears at their sides.

"Next item." He said.

"We haven't heard from the Tehmatt villages in 3 days. We expected a shipment from them 4 days ago and our escort has not sent word of a delay." Shimon said.

"Have a scouting party scope the lands. I want regular updates so ensure they bring enough falcons." Seto ordered.

"Yes High Priest." Shimon bowed.

"What of Pharaoh?" Seto asked.

"My lord. He has still not moved from the Temple. He has not eaten, barely slept. He refuses company but does allow us to pray in silence. So long as he is not disturbed." A priest of Setos said, kneeling before him as he addressed him.

Seto sighed, his shoulders sinking but he picked himself up and thought.

"My lord, Yugi's body… what are we to do about his burial? He must be prepared but Pharaoh refuses any to get close." The priest continued.

"These are special circumstances. Osiris has not contacted us in regards to his remains. For the time being leave the Pharaoh to tend to him." Seto said.

"Shimon… I would speak with him soon." He added.

"Likewise my lord. It is fitting for the King to grieve but his people need direction." Shimon agreed.

"Seto." Mahaad said loudly as he entered the throne room.

"Mahaad." Seto greeted stiffly.

"My mages are prepared and ready to set forth for I'eshka. On your blessing they will set out."

"Tohkra. See to it." Seto commanded his priest kneeling before him. He bowed his head to each of them and left swiftly.

"My lord. There is still the matter of our undecided agreement with our neighbours. Details were never come to agreement before our assault against Karim and Thomas." Shimon said.

"Are they asking for details? I understand we were inviting them to stay but under current circumstances we are not in a position to be hospitable." Seto asked.

It was true. Their neighbours were the same whom wished to charter a frequent route right through their fishing zone. To meet these agreements and more importantly to stall for time they were going to be invited so they may discuss details in person. However this was before they were called into battle against Karim and Thomas to liberate the village they'd taken hostage. Since then their King was absent and in no state to host visitors. Not to mention they were under the impending threat of an attack by Thomas who, according to reports, was some how disabling their communications.

"We received communication this morning. They are happy to meet with an escort at the delta. They will leave in 3 days to meet with us. Considering our position I do not recommend we allow them to cross our borders. They will be putting themselves at risk and may incite war between our nations."

"We do not have the resources for an unnecessary war. Send a detail to them at once. Explain that we will grant them a months temporary passage through the route they wish to take and we will convene at a later date. Explain to them that we are currently not in the position to provide safety for their envoy and for their protection this is the reason for this sudden change of plans." Seto said.

"At once my lord."

Seto sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose to try and dissuade the headache coming on. All of these matters surrounded by uncertainty and expectation. He was fine with this kind of pressure but it would help to have his Pharaoh available for guidance in these matters. The consequences for changing a suggestion they put forth in the first place would harm their reputation but it was unavoidable at this moment.

Shimon left at once to send off his commands and now he had a moments reprieve. If only for a moment.

He glanced at the abandoned throne, wondering when its King would sit upon her again. He knew the pain of grief, having felt the loss of Kisara long ago but she was never far from him so long as she lived within his Blue Eyes. He would often call upon her spirit so his lonliness was never lived long. It was however his understanding that Yugi would be returning in a matter of days so he did not entirely understand the depth of the Pharaohs mourning. The only logical explanation was that its gravity must have been affected by the Binding. Perhaps their temporary severing of their connection was the reason behind his depression.

In any case his people will need him soon. Seto could maintain order for a time, keep their neighbours content and keep a lookout detail on their lands but when it came to the peoples morale, the final decision of their armies movements he will need his Kings action.

"Seto." Isis's soft voice approached him, a welcome sound as opposed to the urgent tones of people demanding direction.

"Isis." He sighed tiredly.

"Pharaoh is still not with us I see." She said, looking past him at the unoccupied throne behind him.

"No. He still mourns Yugis departure."

"Give him this time to grieve. He is aware of how much we need him. He will not remain absent for long." Isis said.

"Have you foreseen this?" Seto asked her but she sighed sadly, averting her gaze from him.

"No. My necklace continues to hide its sight from me. I have been unable to access its power for some time. Since before Yugi's arrival here I have been only seeing glimpses. Pieces of a puzzle not yet revealed to me."

"It is my understanding that Mahaad had been having issues with his Ring after the battle but Yugi was able to correct its behaviour. Perhaps there is a way to correct your necklace." Seto said.

"Perhaps. Mahaad told me that Yugi taught him how to commune with his Ring, how to listen to it. He suggested as much to me but I am unsure what I am looking for."

"Perhaps there is more to it Mahaad was unaware of." Seto suggested.

"Perhaps. But he is an astute student and still our most powerful Mage. I am sure whatever secrets Yugi used on his Ring he was able to pick up." Isis sighed.

There was a silence between them but not uncomfortable. It was calming, both lost in musings and thought. "Has anyone else had issues with their Items?" She asked.

"Not that I am aware of. My Rod behaves as it should and the others have not displayed anything amiss with theirs."

"I see." She said sadly.

"Perhaps when Yugi arrives he might look into your necklace."

"That is what I fear. When Yugi returns it may be too late. We do not know where Thomas will strike next or how powerful he is becoming. He may attack the city before he returns in which case there will be no time to retune my necklace."

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and gave her the warmest smile he could muster. A gesture he was not accustomed to but it was welcomed by her.

"We must have faith." He said softly before he hardened and poised himself for something that would be difficult.

"I am going to see Pharaoh. Would you join me?"

She giggled and bowed her head in respect.

"I am not sightless enough to know that is a fruitless endeavour. I will continue to work with my necklace." She said.


"Man this is frustrating." Joey complained loudly.

"I know but keep it down." Tea said, smacking him over the head.

"What are we supposed to do though? The whole city is buzzing with so many different vibes its hard to keep up. The people are still celebrating, the guards are on alert, the Palace is locked down. Even Atems guardians are working over time while he -"

"Mourns the loss of Yugi?" Bakura cut in before Tristan could finish. The words cut deep for all of them even though they knew he'd be back. It still hurt though and Bakura needed to remind them of that.

"Bakuras right. Atem and Yugi are bound now. That means their bond runs deeper than anything. Atem must feel his loss more than any of us. We can't rush him." Tea said sadly.

"Well there must be something we can do." Joey said.

"About what? About Atem or helping the city? Cause I don't think we're qualified to help the city and Atem… well he needs time right?" Tristan said unhappily.

"I dunno. All of it!"

Tea sighed. They all felt the same level of restlessness. They had no direction right now, no purpose here and most of all no idea what to do. They couldn't speak Egyptian so only a handful understood them. They weren't familiar with the city well enough or its laws to walk around without getting in trouble. Atem was indisposed so they couldn't hang out with him. They were lost to boredom and insecurity, not know what they could or should be doing.

"Huh?" Bakura said, earning their attention as he looked off behind them.

"What is it?" Tea asked.

"I thought I saw… is someone there?" He asked curiously.

There was nothing behind them. They sat upon a balcony overlooking the city and behind them was nought but a shaded hall with the occasional passerby.

Sure it wasn't just palace staff?" Tristan asked.

"Not if they were only a few feet tall." Bakura shrugged, walking off to the archway. "Hello?"

"Now he's lost it." Tristan sighed.

"Oh! Hey! Its okay! You dont have to … be … afraid." Bakura called out before trailing off.

"What did you see?" Joey asked but Bakura ignored them, running out of sight to chase whoever he saw.

"We should follow him." Tea said.

They saw briefly that he was in fact chasing someone small. They ran around corners and hid in various vacant rooms only to escape around them. Only when they ran them into a dead end did they catch up to two small children, all of them panting.

"Now, you don't have… to be frightened. We won't hurt you." Bakura panted.

"We're not afraid!" The older boy said, standing before the smaller girl.

"Then why are you running?" Tristan asked, earning himself an elbow to the ribs. "Ow!"

"What are your names?" Tea asked gently.

"Why would we tell spies!?" The boy retorted.

"Spies?!" They exclaimed in shock.

"Listen, we're not spies. We're friends." Bakura said softly.

"We don't know you but you look like your from the same place that man is from!" The boy accused.

"The man that hurt our mum." The girl squeaked behind him.

"Then you talk about Yugi as if you know where he is, but no one will tell us. He disappeared and you know where he is! What did you do to him?"

"Yugi?" Bakura asked.

"Hey you kids friends with him?" Joey asked.

"Whats it to you blondie?" The boy asked.

"Blondie?"

"Hey you kids should show some respect to your elders. Where are parents anyway?" Tristan asked.

"They're gone…" The girl said quietly.

"Hush Sissy. The spies don't need to know that."

"We're not spies!" Joey snapped.

"I'm sorry. Did you say they were gone?" Tea asked, crouching down beside Bakura to show she meant no harm. "I'm sorry to hear that. It must be difficult without them."

The boy eyed her cautiously but the girl, she looked between her brother and Tea as if torn on who to side with.

"My names Bakura. This is Tea and the idiots behind us are Joey and Tristan." Bakura said.

"Idiots?" They both snapped at him, pulling him into a head lock and messing his hair up.

"Will you three cut it out?!" Tea snapped at them.

The girl giggled, earning herself a warning look from her nervous brother.

"Dont mind them. We won't hurt you though and we're not spies. We're friends of Yugi's too. What's your names?" She asked them kindly.

"My name is Sissy. This is my idiot brother Rakesh. Yugi saved us from that other blonde man that attacked our village." Sissy, the young girl, said happily as she walked around her brother.

"Sissy." He said hurriedly, trying to grab her arm to pull her back and failing.

"Nice to meet you Sissy, Rakesh. That was nice of Yugi. He never got the chance to tell us this." Tea said happily.

"Mmm. Do you know where he went?" She asked.

They shifted nervously, unsure of what to tell a child so small but they both watched them, waiting for an answer.

"He had to go away for a little while. But he'll be back in a few days." Bakura said gently.

"Thats what Matron says. But Pharaoh is sad. He won't leave the Temple and every one else is nervous. We've heard talk of the battle. Apparently Yugi fought that blonde man. But we saw what he did to our village. Then he attacked us on the way here. Yugi seemed fine at the party but all of a sudden he's gone. So where did he go?" Rakesh asked. Hes a smart boy, sharp on his feet and wiser than he looked. Perhaps there was no escaping this truth.

"He…"

"He died… didn't he?" Sissy asked.

Her voice was soft, sad but strong. They looked upon them both in shock at how the word never faltered them.

But of course it didn't. They were not foreign to the concept even at their age.

"He did. But he's coming back. In a few days he'll be back."

"Does that mean mum will come back too?" Sissy asked her brother but the pained look upon him told her otherwise. She looked sad and returned her gaze to her hands.

"How do you know he'll come back?" Rakesh asked.

"He and Pharaoh became bonded. Yugi will be able to find his way back here after his judgement and then he'll be able to stay." Bakura said.

They both lit up at that, forgetting their previous wariness of them to approach them.

"Really? He'll stay?" They asked excitedly.

It warmed them to see these children so happy with this news. He must have made a real impact here before everything went down.

"Yes. He intends to stay here forever." Tea said sadly.

"But … what about you? Does this mean you're staying too?" Rakesh asked, his tone different now, someone sceptic.

"No… we will be going home but not until Yugi comes back. We wish to see him once more before we leave." Tea said fondly.

"That means he will come back right Keshy? They won't leave until he does." Sissy asked her brother. He nodded but still eyed them cautiously, as if holding them to that.

"Well you kids are polite." Joey mumbled.

"So you kids have gotten close to Yugi huh? You must be good friends if you're so worried about him." Bakura said.

"He saved our lives. He protected us from those bandits and fought bravely against them. I wanna be just like him when I'm older so I can protect people just like he did." Rakesh said.

"Yeah… me too." Sissy said before she turned to her brother, pulling on her shirt. "I wanna see Pharaoh." She said.

"I dont think thats a good idea." Tea said sadly.

"Why not?" Rakesh asked.

"Pharaoh… he needs some time to think and pray for Yugi to return." Bakura said smartly.

"I have something I want to give him. It might help Yugi return faster. Im going." She said, turning to her brother for approval.

He smiled and nodded firmly.

"We're going. Follow us if you wish but don't try anything. I'm watching you." Rakesh said before taking his sisters hand and racing past them, as if they were going to stop them.

"Hey!" They called after them.

"Ugh… we should catch them." Joey groaned.

"Come on. I wanna see what they wanna give him." Tristan said.


Atem sighed more from fatigue than frustration. He knew the words Seto spoke were true. His people needed direction but more importantly they needed to see their King standing tall above the adversity they face. Yugis death was only made known to those in the Palace, so the vast majority of his people believed the King to be well. By rights he should be displaying Yugi for his people to see, parading him through the streets so his people could meet the soul that had captured their King. That was impossible right now but that should not stop him from taking charge, especially when there was in fact talk among some of growing unease in his lands.

The spirit world acted on deeper laws than the living. While anxiety can grow among communities it was felt deeper here. The more untested souls the more people began to feel unsafe. As King of this dominion he could feel it a bit more than his people but even they were starting to whisper, despite the partying of the night before.

Seto had come to remind him that while he may grieve and mourn in his own way, he still had a duty to his people.

But it was not easy to fake the smile. To muster the energy needed to stand tall or the motivation to speak to his people. How could he find the strength to be his peoples light when his own has left this world?

"Um… excuse me." A small voice echoed off the temple walls.

"Shh, Sissy." A whisper followed.

He new the voices to be the children Yugi had rescued, the children he took in as wards of the King. He did not expect to see them here.

"Children. Now is not a good time. Do you seek guidance or a chance to pray?" Seto asked them.

"N-no… we came to speak to Pharaoh." Sissy said meekly.

Atem heard the sigh from Seto but more than that he heard the pure innocence in her voice. A pure light that reminded him of Yugi. During their time here he and the children had become very close, the children attaching themselves to him in replacement of their family. They were important to Yugi … he should listen.

"Pharaoh is busy. If it is urgent then please pass it on to the Matron-"

"Hush Seto. I will speak with them." Atem said softly, much to their surprise.

He felt Sissy approach him, kneeling beside him gently and straightening out her skirts politely.

"Pharaoh. I am sorry to bother but I wanted to help." She said softly.

The corner of his lips pulled slightly, amused at the notion she could. Still he let her speak. She clearly had much to say.

"Yugis friends told us he went away to be judged by the gods, like mumma did. They told us he would be back soon but mumma never came back. So… since your waiting for him I wanted to give you this."

He looked to the side, spying a small soft object buried in her hands that she gently presented. The familiar shape caught his attention and on closer inspection he saw it was a doll, finely made with many alterations. It was clearly important and delicately cared for. Its tanned skin was adorned with white linen fabric and tiny gold jewellery sewn onto it around the belt and neck. Its black hair was finely shaped and mixed together with blonde and chestnut horsehair. Red beads were sewn in for the eyes and a royal blue silk was cut for its cape. He knew who it meant to be and with how much attention had been paid for detail, he knew this belonged to Yugi. Yugi had told him that he was making a doll with her, but he would not show it until it was perfect. He beheld it now in her delicate young hands and he thought it so. It is perfect. All this time Yugi was making him the perfect representation of his devotion.

"Yugi said you inspire him. He said that he wanted to make this doll to represent you because you represent everything he loves. I thought maybe if you kept it for him it might help him come back sooner. He said it was never finished."

His heart went out to her and it took everything not to cry before her. He had shed enough tears already, before his ward was not an option.

Gently he touched her hand and pressed Yugi's doll to her heart, offering the most sincerest, warmest smile he's felt in a long while. She appeared confused but after a moment, clutched the doll tightly, as if vowing to protect it.

"He will be glad to know that it is well guarded." He said warmly and stood.

He spared a long glance to Yugi's sleeping form, touching the white silk that lay over him before releasing a deep breath.

"Seto. Call for my Guardians to meet me in the Throne Room within the hour. We have much to discuss."

"My King." Seto said, bowing his head low and leaving immediately.