Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the characters (unless otherwise stated) Kazuki Takahashi does, nor do I make any money from these stories.

02

In the morning Atemu led Yugi down to breakfast, there they found the pharaoh waiting for them. When they arrived he dismissed everyone and bade the two boys to sit down and eat with him, he had decided to give Yugi one more test.

"Now then Yugi, I know you have told me that you do not want your home back, and I do agree somewhat with your reasoning's but, that does not mean you cannot be compensated."

Yugi looked at the pharaoh "My pharaoh really, thank you for your kindness but there is no way I could fight the high priest on my own."

"You do not have too I will do it with you." he looked at Atemu "Along with my son."

Yugi lifted teary eyes to the older man, his king "My pharaoh I don't know what…"

Atemu chuckled "Then don't Yugi but believe us we'll not let him get away with this."

Yugi flinched at the anger in Atemu's voice "You won't hurt them will you?"

Atemu's tone softened "No Yugi, no more than my father's laws will allow."

No more was said as they ate in silence each with their own thoughts on what surprises the day would bring.

Atemu dragged Yugi back to his room and found some of the clothes he'd grown out of and gave them to Yugi to wear.

"I can't wear these clothes!" Yugi protested

"Why not Yugi? They don't fit me anymore."

Yugi sighed "That's just it, they were yours."

"I don't understand, they are just simple clothes."

"That's just it." Yugi turned away from Atemu "To you they are simple clothes, but to me…" he turned back to the young prince "Just one of those things would take me a lifetime of saving to be able to afford, yet you just…"

"Yugi…" Atemu walked over to him and put his arms around him

"This is not about the cost, what is it that really bothers you?"

"As I said to your father earlier everything I have been given I have had to work for and sometimes the work was hard, for you to just give me them does not seem right."

It was Atemu's turn to sigh "If that's how you feel how about choosing just one for now, think of it as a replacement for what was destroyed."

Yugi giggled, "You're stubborn do you know that?"

Atemu chuckled "My father tells me that all the time."

Relenting Yugi chose one of the tunics and went into the bathing chamber to change. He'd never felt so awkward; he'd never worn anything so fine before. Coming back into the bedroom he looked at Atemu who was just standing there staring at him, "What is it? What's wrong?"

Atemu shook his head "I was just thinking."

"About what?"

Atemu smiled "About how beautiful you are" he smiled at the blush that graced Yugi's cheeks.

"Come on we have to meet my father at the stables."

The two walked together talking as old friends would both ignoring the stares they were receiving at the apparent softening of the prince's attitude, rumoured to be caused by the one he was currently walking with. As they walked Atemu was trying to explain to Yugi that because he was a guest in the palace and not a slave he did not have to walk one pace behind him.

They reached the stable and found the pharaoh waiting for them "What kept you?"

Atemu chuckled "I had to argue Yugi into his clothes, he would not wear them at first."

"Why not?"

"He says he's never worn anything so fine before."

The Pharaoh smiled in understanding "Don't worry young one you'll get used to it."

Yugi looked at the large horse in trepidation "What's wrong Yugi?"

"Um I've never ridden a horse before."

''In that case you can ride with me."

Again Yugi sat in front of the prince "Atemu?"

"Yes?"

''Why don't I ride behind you?"

Atemu smirked and leaned in to whisper in Yugi's ear "I can't hold you if you sit behind Me." his smirk grew as he felt Yugi shiver when his breath ghosted over his ear.

As they rode Aknamkanon stole several glances at his son and the young man riding with him, he wasn't stupid he'd noticed the change in Atemu, no doubt caused by the young one and it warmed him. He knew his son had been lonely, it wasn't easy to find genuine friends when you were the son of the pharaoh and that was one of the reason's they had chosen a wife for him, to try to end his loneliness, but now it didn't seem to be needed, Atemu looked relaxed and content, so much so that Aknamkanon made up his mind to ask Yugi if he would stay at the palace as a companion for the prince.

Yugi was surprised when they stopped at his old home "Atemu?"

"Watch Yugi but say nothing."

The pharaoh dismounted and a guard knocked on the door, Yugi was aware that the whole street was watching, but he wasn't surprised after all it wasn't every day that the pharaoh rode into town and stopped at a humble house.

Someone called out "Yugi!"

Yugi looked round and saw his grandpa's old friend "Have you come to reclaim your home?"

"No I can't live here anymore, not since they destroyed everything." The old man tried to walk up to Yugi but the guards barred his way

"Let him through!" Atemu ordered.

Grateful the old man bowed "Thank you my prince." he turned to Yugi "Yugi I think you should have this."

"What is it?"

"It seems the gods wanted you to have it after all, it blew from the flames and landed by my door."

With a trembling hand Yugi took it and gasped, it was the portrait he thought had been destroyed, the old man patted Yugi's arm "Good luck to you Yugi."

"Thank you." Yugi hugged the old man before he walked away.

As Yugi felt the tears fall he felt Atemu wrap his arm round him "Are you okay?"

Yugi nodded "Yes this is the portrait of my family I thought I'd lost."

Atemu looked at it and couldn't believe his eyes he was looking at a carbon copy of his father's advisor Shimon. Atemu pointed to the old man "Is that your grandfather Yugi?"

Yugi nodded "Yeah, I really do miss him." Yugi looked up as the door to his old home opened...