A/N: This one's shorter than usual but set perfectly. I think you can all sense that we're nearing the end. I love our boys and their relationship, but I also feel the need to write them new stories. I don't know how many more chapters we have, but I'm gonna deliver the best ending I can so we can explore their relationships in different fics. I do hope you like the way all of this plays out 3

Atems pov

"Come again?" Tristan asks incredulously. I sigh slightly, feeling Yugi shift beside me. Thankfully Ryou explains in a way that they can understand and I can focus on Yugi. He's calmed down considerably now and is nursing his tea but I know he's still reeling from that experience. I never should have allowed it. I knew meddling with the Items is dangerous, I shouldn't have let him explore it without teaching him how to guard himself.

"So your saying the Puzzles mad and that it attacked Yugi?" Joey asks crudely. That is a simplified way of saying it.

"The Puzzle along with all the items were made with the souls of Kul'Elna. It is my strong hypothesis that their emotions may be tied to the items. It explains why and how they choose their wielder if some part of them survives to discern who is worthy." I explain.

"But this hasn't happened before. Why now?" Tea asks.

"Perhaps it is to do with the last time Yugi used the puzzle." Odion suggests. Im intrigued by this opinion. I wonder what makes him think this.

"Go on?" I encourage and its now Yugi looks at Odion with as much interest as the rest of us.

"You said that Yugi used the puzzle during your fight with Bakura and that he seemed to access its full, raw power and he does not remember it." He says

"Yes?" I'd much rather he get to the point.

"What if something happened to bring out the full force of the Puzzle? What if all this time, something dark has been slumbering inside and it's finally awoken."

…

Preposterous.

No.

That isn't possible… is it?

If its true then … there's something even darker than Bakura? No.

"Wait… is that possible?" Joey asks.

"No. It's not. If it were I'd know. I've combed those halls day and night for years. The only things that resided within that puzzle is myself and Bakura." I say strongly. I have to be right… they can't still exist!

"But what if he's right?" Tristan asks.

"Bakura often spoke to himself at night." Ryou says almost quietly, as if remembering something. It doesn't mean anything though. Still we listen with great intrigue. "Sometimes he liked to view the moon at night and I'd float behind him so he wouldn't see. He'd speak in Egyptian but I never told him I understood what he said. He talked as if having a conversation with people, but he was alone. All he had with him was the Ring."

No.

"Bakura is insane. There is no justifiable reasoning to his actions. He's willing to kill anyone for his own pleasure or gain, staying up late muttering to himself is no surprise." I argue defiantly. Talking to himself after thousands of years of isolation is hardly surprising. I might have too had I not been sleeping all that time.

"I … don't think … you're right there." Yugi… disagrees with me… why?

"Yug, you think of something?" Joey asks him.

"Atem when he had control of me there were a lot of voices thrown at me, all of them angry and thirsty for revenge but there was one voice I couldn't ignore. A boys voice, crying. In between bursts of torment I'd listen for it, look for it but as I got close the torrent would start again. You saved me before I could find anything out but I had completely forgotten until now. I heard that voice before."

"You did?" I ask him. Where is this going? He nods at me strongly, sitting tall and proud and confident again. I feel so small to him now.

"After you freed me. It was when the Puzzle saved me. I heard a rush of voices all congealed together but one crying boy stood out. Only I wasn't connected to the Rod this time, Bakura had no hold of me. It came from the puzzle, with those same screams."

No…

"They're crying in Egyptian… I've heard you speak it enough to know its not my language."

No…

"They remember. The Items remember 3 things. The Pharaoh, suffering and Bakura: crying."

"Wait what are you saying Yugi?" Tea asks but … no it can't be. If its true then … those people. My people. They're still suffering. And I weaponised them.

"No." Angrily I get up and turn my back on them. I haven't decided anything beyond this point but I just… can't. I didn't do this. I didn't know. They can't… they should have passed… why didn't they pass on? Why did the Gods take them? Why …

"The reason the Items exist is because of the voices, of the souls of Kul'Elna." Ryou says sadly… mournfully… as if they're his people that died!

I want to scream, but they are not at fault. I am. My father is. My uncle. My family! All of us. We paraded the Items like they were gifts from the gods. We butchered our people and instead of using only their bodies to create these weapons we used their souls too. Thats why they didn't pass on. There was nothing of them to carry over to the next life. We ignored their cries, their suffering and for what?

I can't. I can't be here anymore. Not under their stares and mournful voices. Not under their scrutiny. Bakura is my responsibility… I didn't need this too.

Angrily I storm out, ignoring their calls but they're persistent. I have to get some air though before…

"Hey dude wait up." Joey grabs my wrist… he just wanted me to stop. Its not everyday I show my anger. I do my best to hide it, to swallow it because I am not only the ruler of my people but myself as well. It is unbecoming of royalty to show our slavery to whim. That is why love is so important, because those we show our heart to is truly blessed. Joey… he cares for me. Just like they all do. Just like I care for them… all they want is to help… and now not only have I shamed my father, I have struck my best friend too.

He sits upon the ground nursing his jaw, too stunned to say anything while the others stand in jarred horror that I would lash so violently. They are lucky though. Because as I choose to run from them they are spared my presence. Unlike me, no matter how far my legs take me I am never free. I can never be free of the monster inside me.

I understand now. His hatred. Their suffering. His desperation. Hes listened to them cry for thousands of years. He's listened to their memory of his own fear playing back at him. All he wants is for silence… for me to hear it. Well now I have. After thousands of years I have. And now Yugi… Yugi has too. The Puzzle will hurt him if he uses it again and because of me I have sealed his fate to bare this burden. Its all my fault.

Everything is all my fault!

"Atem!"

No. Don't follow me. Go away!

"Atem stop!"

I must lose him. He knows this city well but he can't predict where I'll go if I don't know where I'm going.

I turn a corner sharply, hoping to lose him and then sprint across a road causing several cars to blast their horns at me. I dont care. They'll stall him.

"ATEM STOP!" He screams after me but I can't. I can't face you. How can I? Just stop Yugi… please. Please let me go. I don't deserve to bask in your light.

Yugi's POV

I come to a screeching halt before the cars between us. The angry drivers honk their horns at Atem's recklessness but I don't have the chance to break through them to catch up. By the time I do, he's long gone. I don't understand. He's never taken off like this before. What happened? Atem… why did you run from me?

At the first break I sprint across the road but I have no idea where he turned after he made it to the end of this street. I don't see a single sign of him. People walk around normally, cars aren't blasting their horns to signify some hasty escape somewhere … where did you go? Where are you going? It's not safe by yourself, especially since you didn't take any of the items with you, or even a jacket. Temmy…

"Mr. Moto." I turn to the voice behind me and see a tall man, dressed in a leather jacket and long black cargo pants. His face is completely hidden by a white mask with a spider painted on it and that is enough to know I'm not safe. I spy the silver can rolling up behind him, driving too slowly to be a passer by and immediately I take a step to run out into the public, but he's faster. With a black gloved hand he grabs my wrist and yanks me towards him.

"NNOO! LET ME GO!" I scream, fighting against him with everything I have but he is so strong! I squirm and struggle, hitting him as hard as my flailing hand can smack and kicking at his shins to try and loosen his hold. I need to get away. I don't know who they are or what they want but it can't be good. Does he work for Bakura? Does he work for the Yakuza? I don't know but I need to get away.

His hand comes around to pinch my nose and block my mouth. I can't scream and in my panic I can't breathe either. But I can bite. He yelps in pain and for a moment I'm finally free. I fall to the ground with a grunt but before I can even scramble back onto my feet he grabs hold of me again.

"ATEM! ATEEMMPH!" I scream so loudly I can only pray he's close enough to hear me but the man covers my mouth again, this time pulling my head back tightly by my hair. I grab at his arm, trying to claw my way free but my head is starting to ring and my vision is darkening. The world is fading away and gravity seems so soft.

Ryou's POV

"ATEM! YUGI!" I shout with my last stable breath. My lungs are on fire and my heart feels like it's going to explode. I really need to work out more. But I can't stop looking for them. I can't believe we lost them.

We split up our search after we lost Yugi through the traffic but they couldn't have gone far. I could try ringing Yugi…

But I'm getting nothing. He's not answering. Maybe he found him… or he's too busy in his trail to answer. Damn it what do I do? I dont want to give up my search. Atem ran out so recklessly he failed to think about how cold it is, or that Bakura is still at large likely looking for an opportunity to strike him down. Hes alone, with no Item and emotionally unbalanced hes likely to get careless.

This is so unlike him. Atem is normally the calm and collected type but even I noticed the pain in his eyes when he saw Yugi using the Puzzle with no issues; and then he was almost happy when it backfired. What is going on?

Maybe I should just … wait. Over there by the water. Is that Yugi or Atem? They're sitting by the water with their back turned to the road but … no thats Atems shirt. I found him! What's he doing by the river though? I dont want to spook him so I'll get closer before I call out to him… I should let everyone know I found him though.

Okay…. Mass message sent. Let's go.

Alright Atem. Don't run from me, please. I always hated these grassy hills. They're even worse covered in snow. They're so slippery… ahh!

I knew this would happen. Tumbling down the hill I fall face first bringing snow and grass and dirt with me. Its very cold on my skin but I'm more annoyed at my inability to be subtle.

"Ryou…" I hear him mutter but I don't think he's taken off yet. Good. Maybe he won't.

"I'm okay." I say, shaking the snow off my face and out of my hair. I look over to him and he's stood, looking about to run but he's hesitating. Something must have changed his mind though because he relaxes, letting his shoulders slump with the gentle sigh. Thank god he's done running. "Atem… I'm glad I found you." I say, brushing off the rest of me.

"I'd prefer to be alone if it's all the same Ryou." He says dejectedly, turning from me to walk away. But he doesn't run when I catch up to him. He says he wants to be alone but I reckon he doesn't. If he did, he'd have stopped me already, or start running again.

"It's not safe to wander the streets all on your own." I say cheerfully but he doesn't say anything, not even a noise of recognition. That's okay, I know he's upset, and again at least he's not running from me.

"So… I'm sorry." I say, hoping to provoke some kind of conversation with him.

"You didn't do anything Ryou." He says. His gaze is distant and he looks so dejected and lost. I hope I can get him to talk to me.

"Maybe… but I know all of this is eating at you. I'm sorry for the pain you're feeling and I hope you know you can talk to me about it if you need to." I say but he says nothing. Come on Atem, stop being so stubborn. "And… I want you to know that I don't think any of this is your fault."

"They're my people, Ryou. I might not be the one responsible for the Items creation but I should have been more aware of their suffering. I lived inside the puzzle for thousands of years, how could I not have known about them?"

Good. That's it.

"But that's just it. You didn't know about them. None of us did. So don't blame yourself for it."

"You don't understand, Ryou -" He trails off sadly, coming to a stop. I can see his fists balled beside him, shaking at his side as he glares angrily off to the side. I know he's angry at himself though, I'm not in any danger. I need to snap him out of this self pity though and calm talking isn't going to shake off the demons clutching at him.

"I do! In fact, out of everyone else I'm the most qualified to understand how you feel!" I snap at him, moving to get in his vision. He jumps and looks upon me, lips slightly parted and red, irritated eyes wide with surprise. I'll admit even I am impressed. I didn't mean to sound so offended but it seems to have worked. "Bakura controlled my body for most of my life. With my body he killed my father, he murdered Shadi and there are so many more lives he destroyed, all using me as a guise. I remember it all: their screams, how it felt, his enjoyment of it and their looks of fear and despair. I could go into vivid detail but you don't need that. My point is that it wasn't me, and I'm still learning to accept that - just as what happened to the people of Kul'Elna was not your fault. You may have become Pharaoh of their country but the sins of those before you did not become yours when you don the crown, nor do they become yours when you take up an Item." I say strongly. I must admit I'm rather proud of how well this is going. I've never talked him down like this but he is listening to every word. I think this is working. "If you want to do right by them then don't let them be used for evil. Don't let their suffering be used to bring suffering upon others and most importantly don't let their torment become yours. It won't help them and it will only hurt the ones you love."

He blinks and looks down at his feet, mouthing Yugi's name under his breath. It brings a smile to my face to know he's really taking this in, I just hope he doesn't deflect it. I need to make him accept this.

"Atem… this pain doesn't go away. The guilt, the memory, the pain - none of it goes away but acceptance, love of your friends, your family and most importantly the forgiveness from within helps it ebb to something manageable. I don't know if Yugi's told you this but … I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you guys. He helped me remember that I'm not alone, that I'm not at fault for those that died by my hand. He saved my life … quite literally … and over the weeks you all did. You didn't even know it but you've all given me reason to forgive myself, to greet each new day with appreciation and drive to do better. Do you hear what I'm saying? Atem you aren't at fault here, none of us believe so and deep down you know you believe that too. Stop sheltering the guilt of your family and adopting their pain as yours. The best you can do for them now is live and use everything at your disposal to protect the ones you love against those that would seek to use them against you and your friends, your family, your world. Bakura would use them to bring pain and suffering upon us all, what will you use them for?" I ask him. He looks back up at me, thinking hard which is good. I have to say I've just inspired myself to take him down … not that there's much I can do but I feel confident.

He smiles finally and his eyes burn with the same strength and determination that I'm used to. Thats better. There he is.

"You're right. Thank you." He says kindly. His words are short but his meaning is deep. He doesn't need a long winded speech, 'thank you' is all I need.

"No problem. Now, how about we head back to the shop? You're gonna catch another cold if you keep wandering around the streets without shoes on."

"...I did leave in a hurry." He says bashfully as we start walking together. I'm glad I could help and he's agreeing to come home. Yugi'll be relieved but I doubt he's heard the end of this though.

"Well I suppose you can't really stop to put shoes on after … you know." I laugh shyly and he groans.

"I can't believe I hit Joey. Guess he'll get me back for that. It's what I deserve though." He lets out a drawn out sigh and I giggle to myself. He's so … human. It's still so weird to see him act so normal.

"Yeah well … I can't disagree with you there. First you hit him, then you take off and make us all chase you around the city." I laugh at the defeat on his face.

"All of you? I knew Yugi was chasing me but I lost him in traffic. I didn't know all of you were after me though."

"Well Yugi took off first. We saw you in the distance and Yugi braved traffic to get to you but we lost him when a string of trucks drove by. We split up after that." I explained and he stops me with a hand on my arm and alarm in his eyes.

"Does that mean they don't know we're going home? Yugi's determined enough to keep looking all night if he has to."

"Don't worry. I sent a text to everyone letting them know I found you and would bring you home. They're probably already there already." I say and he relaxes yet again.

"Good. I suppose I'll hear it from him too." He sighs again.

"Yeah probably." I laugh. We walk a little farther in silence but I'm not worried. I'm sure he's taking in my speech still and trying to accept his role in this. I know how he felt, or feels rather. The guilt will be difficult to shake off, but once he learns to accept he's not at fault and his legacy isn't suffering as they did but living as they can't then it'll get easier.

"I didn't know he saved your life." He says quietly. In all honesty I'm surprised Yugi didn't say anything. That was nice of him. I figured he tells Atem everything… but he respected my privacy. I'm not surprised but I'm flattered. I must thank him later.

"Yeah… it's not easy to talk about but it was that day I asked him to come over. I felt so weak, so guilty. In a moment of desperation I called him but after I hung up I felt overwhelmingly guilty for doing so. It was raining, it wasn't his problem, I didn't deserve his help … and I tried to take things into my own hands. I won't go into detail but he saved my life. We talked, I apologised and he made me promise not to do anything stupid like that again. He told me that if I did he'd let Bakura win. I doubt he would have but … well you know how serious he can be sometimes. Even if it was a weak threat I didn't want to risk it."

He laughs with me and my heart soars. It's so nice to know he's feeling better enough to chuckle.

"That does sound like Yugi. I am sorry that we didn't know though. For what it is worth I am very relieved Yugi was there. If it's not too strange for me to say I find myself rather close to you. Joey and Tristan, even Tea are very close to me. We've been through so much together over the years, and while I do trust them I feel somewhat of a kindred spirit in you. I feel like if there was anyone else who understood me the way Yugi does, then it's you."

Wow… I didn't know he felt so strongly. I am glad though. It makes me happy to know how close he holds me. I actually feel the same too. The others are cool and fun, and I can rely on them if I ever need anything. Hell Tristan's been housing me for a while recently and he didn't need to do that for me and I've gotten quite close to him, but I don't think I could talk to him about this kind of stuff like I can with Atem.

"Wow … thanks Atem. For the record, I feel the same." I say, smiling so happily I can barely contain it.

We get back to the game shop just as Tristan and Tea does. Instead of heading inside they wait for us and I step back and admire their relief to see him home safe. I hope he realises how much of a family he has here. Everyone here loves him and he needs to see how much.

"Sorry for taking off guys." He says quietly, bowing low in apology. Even I'm embarrassed for him though, he doesn't need to go to this much effort.

"Eh it's cool man." Tristan shrugs it off easily, helping him stand back up. Its funny how one moment Atem can seem like a real tough, proud figure and then the next he's fumbling around trying to figure out what the right etiquette is. Its humbling to see him so socially awkward.

"Atem, we're just glad you're okay." Tea says kindly. That stings though. I know she's still in love with him, and I know she doesn't stand a chance against Yugi… but … just once I wonder how it would feel if she were ever that worried about me.

It will never be. And for now, I'm okay with that. I can't compete with Atem… not yet anyway. Who knows what the future holds, but for now I'm happy so long as she smiles.

"I'm sorry for worrying everyone. I just really needed to get out."

"Hey, like I said it's cool. I just think it's funny you clocked Joey." Tristan laughs and while amusing, Atem doesn't seem to think so. He still feels pretty guilty for it.

"Oh speaking of." Tea says quietly, looking behind our shoulders at a swiftly approaching blonde with eyes set on Atem. His fists are clenched and his jaw is set… oh dear he really isn't going to let Atem off easy for that smack. Maybe I should ease the blow for him.

"Joey, now calm down mate. He - Ooph!" I tried but Joey shoves me out of the way so he can land a good right hook on Atem's jaw. He grunts and falls to the ground, nursing cheek better and wincing all the while. That smack sounded hard… perhaps harder than it should have been. I know he hit him but was that really necessary?

"Joey, what the hell?!" Tea screams at him angrily but he ignores her, towering over Atem. I understand why he's mad but this is a bit much over a single hit isn't it?

"I deserved that. Joey I'm sorry for hitting you. I swear I didn't mean to and I'd like to make it up to you -" Atem tries to say but he flinches when Joey moves again. I thought for sure he was going to smack him again but instead he holds out his hand and what I see inside it sends chills down my spine.

We're all silent, staring at the small Kuriboh dangling from it's cord. It's not an uncommon thing here in this city, especially since Mr. Moto sells these in bunches inside… but this one is already attached to a mobile… one in a purple casing… one that looks exactly like …

"Yugi's phone." Atem mutters. Ignoring the blood beginning to leak from his split lip he snatches it from him, looking at it closely as if it will tell him it's secrets.

"Where's Yugi?" Tea asks, her voice hollow and frightened. We're all thinking it, we're all dreading it, we're all hoping it simply fell out… but why won't Joey say anything?

"I found it tossed aside in an alleyway." He says finally, his voice stoic and cold. I've rarely heard him use this tone. "If it weren't for Ryou's text I might not have found it. It has several missed calls… which explains why he wasn't answering."

"C-could he have dropped it?" I ask, failing to keep the fear out of my voice. Damn it, what happened to all that strength I had before?

"I bet thats it. He's probably just inside." Tea says, hopeful and positive. Atem is first to move and we're quick to follow.

Mr. Moto is closing the store down for the day and is startled as we run through the door, the bell ringing above us.

"About time you kids got home. According to Ishizu something's up with … where's Yugi?" He asks us as he looks among us.

"He's not here?" Tristan asks.

"I think I'd know if my grandson came home before all of you -"

Atem races upstairs before he can finish, taking them two at a time and again we're quick to follow. This isn't so good. He better be okay. What if he did drop it though and he's fine just not home yet?

I'd like to believe that, if not for the pain in my stomach. Something is wrong. I don't know how I know it just is.

We reach the living room to find Ishizu and Odion sitting by the Puzzle and Key, both glowing on the coffee table. They look nervous and seeing us doesn't help. It's weird that they are glowing though… what happened?

"Pharaoh. Thank goodness." Ishizu starts, standing to greet us. Or him, rather.

"Is Yugi home?" Atem asks, his voice is weak though, fragile and afraid. I don't blame him … I just got him past blaming himself for his people, now he's got Yugi on his conscience. Yugi was chasing him… if something happened to him Atem will never forgive himself for that.

"No… but my Pharaoh. Something is wrong with the Millenium Items. They sense danger." Ishizu says.

"Screw the items, we gotta find Yugi!" Joey yells angrily.

"Calm down Joseph. Now, what is going on?" Mr. Moto startles us from behind. He spies the items upon the table and I watch as his gaze falls to Atem, who is staring blankly at their glow with Yugi's phone clutched tightly in his hand. I can only imagine the torment he is putting himself through, the scenarios he is imagining and soon Mr. Moto can see it too. He comes up to him, gently he places his hands upon his shoulders and forces him to look at him.

"Find my Grandson. Bring him home."

The slightest tremble threatens to break him, but instead, in spite of himself he takes a deep breath, stands tall and brings out his kingliness to mask the shattered glass his heart has become. In a second the fearful, broken, desperate boy became fierce, dangerous and determined King and I can see now why Bakura fears him. Here is a man worthy of his crown.

"I will not break my promise." He says strongly.