Yugi awoke on his third day at the palace, feeling slightly homesick. He
missed his grandfather, Joey and Serenity more than he thought he would.
Sighing he made his way down to the breakfast room alone, and ate his
steaming porridge alone. He returned to his room feeling forlorn and
abandoned. He pushed open the heavy door and was faced with Seto.
"Yugi, where have you been?" Seto asked worriedly.
"Breakfast." Yugi replied. "Don't worry Seto, I'm sure I can find my way to the dining hall by now."
"That's not the point Yugi. You can't be alone."
"But no one suspects me of not being Yami. I can pretend to be him Seto." Yugi said, slightly hurt that Seto didn't trust him to act like Yami even over breakfast.
"No Yugi. You have to go and see the King immediately. He called for you ages ago, but you weren't here and now he is panicking."
"Why?" Yugi asked as Seto forced him to wash and put his regalia on.
"I shouldn't be the one to tell you this Yugi, but there has been a threat on your life. Or rather on Yami's life." Seto said sadly.
"What?" Yugi asked, shocked.
"A letter arrived this morning. I'm not allowed to tell you any more than that. Yami's father will explain everything." Yugi could see that Seto looked pale and drawn.
"Don't worry Seto. I'll go and see the King now." Yugi reassured him.
"I shall come also. The meeting is for all of the advisers and most official members of the household." Seto said.
Yugi left the room with Seto and eight guards immediately flanked them. Yugi was shocked at this, normally only one or two guards would escort them around the palace after they had eaten and washed.
"New security measures Prince Yami." One of the guards explained. "We have orders to quadruple all guards at every post."
They reached the throne room and once inside Seto led Yugi to the end, where King Raha and Queen Nephertina sat. Nephertina looked as if she had been crying and Raha looked even more serious and solemn than normal.
"Mother, Father, what is going on?" Yugi asked.
"Oh Yami, it's terrible!" Nephertina sighed, tears streaming down her face.
"Now, now Nephertina. We must stay strong. This is just what these crazed bastards want. They want us to crumble under their petty threats." Raha said. "Attention please!" He called to the waiting crowd.
"Today I received a letter from an unknown sender. In it they detailed the fact that there is a plot to kidnap and perhaps murder my son and heir, Yami." There were gasps from the crowd as King Raha continued. "Obviously whilst we don't know whether or not this is a hollow threat, we must take certain precautions. You are my most trusted servants and this is why I shall tell you this. Until we catch whoever has said all this, we shall have to initiated Manoeuvre 172."
"172?" Yugi whispered to Seto. "What's that?" But Seto only silenced him.
"For those of you not familiar with this security measure I shall explain." Raha continued. "A group of you will leave this palace with Prince Yami. You will travel to a secret location, known only to a few advisers. Everyone going there will be blindfolded so none but my most trusted advisers should know the whereabouts of my son. The group shall remain there until the villains are apprehended."
"What?" Yugi gasped. "But how long will I be there?"
"I know that this is hard for you son." Raha said tenderly. "But we must insure your safety."
"How long?" Yugi demanded.
"It could be a few days." Raha said. "But it could be weeks, months, a year even."
"What?" Yugi gasped. "But."
"No heroics or excuses Yami!" Raha said firmly. "I want you to be safe. I have chosen the group to escort you and remain there with you." Raha called out about ten names whilst Yugi stood, dumbfounded, rooted to the spot. "And finally Tea and Seto shall accompany my son." Everyone began preparations to leave that night. Yugi found Seto at his arm, guiding him up to his chambers. Once again guards flanked them. When they reached the rooms Seto locked and bolted the door and spoke with Yugi in hushed tones so that the guards wouldn't hear them.
"You have to go Yugi. It isn't safe for you to stay. If the assassins caught you, they wouldn't listen to any pleas that you are not Yami. Who would believe that?" Seto said, pulling a large chest from under the bed.
"But what if I have to stay for more than a week?" Yugi asked. "The switch. Yami won't be able to switch places again, he will be stuck as me!"
"That doesn't matter right now. Yami is safe, but you are not!" Seto said, throwing some of Yugi's clothes into the chest.
"How do we know that Yami is safe?" Yugi asked. "What if these assassins have found out about the switch? That letter could have been a hint that they know who Yami really is and are going to kill him."
"That would be an unfortunate, but unlikely situation. As far as I know, only four people know about the switch, and those people wouldn't tell anyone." Seto threw some belongings into the trunk. "What we need to worry about is getting you to safety."
"No one knows where Seto. If I can't trade places with Yami goodness knows what will happen. We need to find someway to switch back when the week is up." Yugi pleaded.
"Don't worry Yugi. A few more days won't hurt. This has happened before, and the assassins were caught two days later. I'm sure it will be the same this time. We shouldn't trouble Yami by telling him. It's best that he stays out of trouble."
"But just in case Seto. If they do know then the real Prince is in danger. We have to warn Yami." Yugi pleaded again.
"Why are you so concerned?" Seto asked. "Yami wouldn't do the same for you!"
"I know. But these people sound desperate, and they might hurt my Grandpa, or Joey, or Serenity!" Yugi continued. "Seto, we have to tell someone about the threat on my.Yami's life. Even if we just tell Joey!"
"Even if we tell him, what difference will it make?" Seto asked.
"He will find a way to keep Yami safe." Yugi said. "He will make certain that Yami is watched. Please Seto, it is only a precaution."
"Very well." Seto sighed. "You finish packing in here. I will try to find Joey and tell him. I won't find or tell Yami though, in case he goes looking for trouble. If Joey is as streetwise as I think he is, he should be able to find a way to protect Yami."
Seto left Yugi to pack his bags. Yugi was not permitted to leave his room that day. But he was granted with a guest at lunchtime.
"Tea!" He said, in shock as she entered the room carrying a tray of fruit and biscuits.
"Hey Yami." She said, sitting on the bed next to him and handing him some food. "Are you all packed?"
"Sure am!" Yugi said, devouring some grapes eagerly.
"I must say, you are taking this pretty well. I thought that you would be angry at your father for being so overprotective." Tea said, nibbling at a banana.
"I told you, I'm turning over a new leaf." Yugi said.
"I know, and I quite like the new you."
"You do?" Yugi asked, his voice quite high pitched as Tea moved closer to him.
"Sure I do. You used to be so brash and rude. You never used to respect me. Now you are so much nicer. I like you this way!" Tea said, smiling at Yugi. Yugi felt his heart pounding inside her chest as he gazed into her beautiful blue eyes.
"Tea. I really like you too." He confessed. He was just about to continue when a knock came at the door.
"Lady Tea." One of the guards said. "The King requests that you finish packing so that your things can be loaded. You leave at sunset tonight."
"I have to go." Tea said. "I'll see you tonight."
Yugi watched her leave. He couldn't take his eyes off of her lovely body and delicate face. He felt guilty inside. He really, really liked Serenity and wanted to remain true to her. But deep down he could feel himself falling in love with Tea. But Yami and Tea were an item, and Tea only thought that Yugi was Yami. Yugi thought that Tea would never love him back, because she thought that he was Yami. Although Yugi had been acting more like himself recently. Could Tea really prefer Yugi to Yami?
That evening, as dusk fell Yugi was escorted out to a waiting carriage. It was small and dirty. He sat inside next to Tea, who was crying because she was so scared. Yugi took her hand in his and squeezed it to comfort her as the carriage began to pull away. As it moved Seto jumped into the carriage.
"Found him." He whispered to Yugi. "And he knows!" Yugi just nodded, understanding what Seto meant. He had warned Joey of their plight, and now Yugi could do no more.
Yugi stared out of the window. Behind them followed two more carriages carrying other servants, and roughly ten advisers escorted them on horseback. Once the palace was out of sight everyone except the advisers was blindfolded, and for hours they travelled, not knowing where they were or how late it was. Eventually Yugi drifted off to sleep, the motion of the carriage and the never-ending darkness given by his blindfold lulled the young boy into a dreamless doze.
AN - Oh, the plot thickens! What will happen? Read on to find out! Read and Review please, do you like the added tension?
"Yugi, where have you been?" Seto asked worriedly.
"Breakfast." Yugi replied. "Don't worry Seto, I'm sure I can find my way to the dining hall by now."
"That's not the point Yugi. You can't be alone."
"But no one suspects me of not being Yami. I can pretend to be him Seto." Yugi said, slightly hurt that Seto didn't trust him to act like Yami even over breakfast.
"No Yugi. You have to go and see the King immediately. He called for you ages ago, but you weren't here and now he is panicking."
"Why?" Yugi asked as Seto forced him to wash and put his regalia on.
"I shouldn't be the one to tell you this Yugi, but there has been a threat on your life. Or rather on Yami's life." Seto said sadly.
"What?" Yugi asked, shocked.
"A letter arrived this morning. I'm not allowed to tell you any more than that. Yami's father will explain everything." Yugi could see that Seto looked pale and drawn.
"Don't worry Seto. I'll go and see the King now." Yugi reassured him.
"I shall come also. The meeting is for all of the advisers and most official members of the household." Seto said.
Yugi left the room with Seto and eight guards immediately flanked them. Yugi was shocked at this, normally only one or two guards would escort them around the palace after they had eaten and washed.
"New security measures Prince Yami." One of the guards explained. "We have orders to quadruple all guards at every post."
They reached the throne room and once inside Seto led Yugi to the end, where King Raha and Queen Nephertina sat. Nephertina looked as if she had been crying and Raha looked even more serious and solemn than normal.
"Mother, Father, what is going on?" Yugi asked.
"Oh Yami, it's terrible!" Nephertina sighed, tears streaming down her face.
"Now, now Nephertina. We must stay strong. This is just what these crazed bastards want. They want us to crumble under their petty threats." Raha said. "Attention please!" He called to the waiting crowd.
"Today I received a letter from an unknown sender. In it they detailed the fact that there is a plot to kidnap and perhaps murder my son and heir, Yami." There were gasps from the crowd as King Raha continued. "Obviously whilst we don't know whether or not this is a hollow threat, we must take certain precautions. You are my most trusted servants and this is why I shall tell you this. Until we catch whoever has said all this, we shall have to initiated Manoeuvre 172."
"172?" Yugi whispered to Seto. "What's that?" But Seto only silenced him.
"For those of you not familiar with this security measure I shall explain." Raha continued. "A group of you will leave this palace with Prince Yami. You will travel to a secret location, known only to a few advisers. Everyone going there will be blindfolded so none but my most trusted advisers should know the whereabouts of my son. The group shall remain there until the villains are apprehended."
"What?" Yugi gasped. "But how long will I be there?"
"I know that this is hard for you son." Raha said tenderly. "But we must insure your safety."
"How long?" Yugi demanded.
"It could be a few days." Raha said. "But it could be weeks, months, a year even."
"What?" Yugi gasped. "But."
"No heroics or excuses Yami!" Raha said firmly. "I want you to be safe. I have chosen the group to escort you and remain there with you." Raha called out about ten names whilst Yugi stood, dumbfounded, rooted to the spot. "And finally Tea and Seto shall accompany my son." Everyone began preparations to leave that night. Yugi found Seto at his arm, guiding him up to his chambers. Once again guards flanked them. When they reached the rooms Seto locked and bolted the door and spoke with Yugi in hushed tones so that the guards wouldn't hear them.
"You have to go Yugi. It isn't safe for you to stay. If the assassins caught you, they wouldn't listen to any pleas that you are not Yami. Who would believe that?" Seto said, pulling a large chest from under the bed.
"But what if I have to stay for more than a week?" Yugi asked. "The switch. Yami won't be able to switch places again, he will be stuck as me!"
"That doesn't matter right now. Yami is safe, but you are not!" Seto said, throwing some of Yugi's clothes into the chest.
"How do we know that Yami is safe?" Yugi asked. "What if these assassins have found out about the switch? That letter could have been a hint that they know who Yami really is and are going to kill him."
"That would be an unfortunate, but unlikely situation. As far as I know, only four people know about the switch, and those people wouldn't tell anyone." Seto threw some belongings into the trunk. "What we need to worry about is getting you to safety."
"No one knows where Seto. If I can't trade places with Yami goodness knows what will happen. We need to find someway to switch back when the week is up." Yugi pleaded.
"Don't worry Yugi. A few more days won't hurt. This has happened before, and the assassins were caught two days later. I'm sure it will be the same this time. We shouldn't trouble Yami by telling him. It's best that he stays out of trouble."
"But just in case Seto. If they do know then the real Prince is in danger. We have to warn Yami." Yugi pleaded again.
"Why are you so concerned?" Seto asked. "Yami wouldn't do the same for you!"
"I know. But these people sound desperate, and they might hurt my Grandpa, or Joey, or Serenity!" Yugi continued. "Seto, we have to tell someone about the threat on my.Yami's life. Even if we just tell Joey!"
"Even if we tell him, what difference will it make?" Seto asked.
"He will find a way to keep Yami safe." Yugi said. "He will make certain that Yami is watched. Please Seto, it is only a precaution."
"Very well." Seto sighed. "You finish packing in here. I will try to find Joey and tell him. I won't find or tell Yami though, in case he goes looking for trouble. If Joey is as streetwise as I think he is, he should be able to find a way to protect Yami."
Seto left Yugi to pack his bags. Yugi was not permitted to leave his room that day. But he was granted with a guest at lunchtime.
"Tea!" He said, in shock as she entered the room carrying a tray of fruit and biscuits.
"Hey Yami." She said, sitting on the bed next to him and handing him some food. "Are you all packed?"
"Sure am!" Yugi said, devouring some grapes eagerly.
"I must say, you are taking this pretty well. I thought that you would be angry at your father for being so overprotective." Tea said, nibbling at a banana.
"I told you, I'm turning over a new leaf." Yugi said.
"I know, and I quite like the new you."
"You do?" Yugi asked, his voice quite high pitched as Tea moved closer to him.
"Sure I do. You used to be so brash and rude. You never used to respect me. Now you are so much nicer. I like you this way!" Tea said, smiling at Yugi. Yugi felt his heart pounding inside her chest as he gazed into her beautiful blue eyes.
"Tea. I really like you too." He confessed. He was just about to continue when a knock came at the door.
"Lady Tea." One of the guards said. "The King requests that you finish packing so that your things can be loaded. You leave at sunset tonight."
"I have to go." Tea said. "I'll see you tonight."
Yugi watched her leave. He couldn't take his eyes off of her lovely body and delicate face. He felt guilty inside. He really, really liked Serenity and wanted to remain true to her. But deep down he could feel himself falling in love with Tea. But Yami and Tea were an item, and Tea only thought that Yugi was Yami. Yugi thought that Tea would never love him back, because she thought that he was Yami. Although Yugi had been acting more like himself recently. Could Tea really prefer Yugi to Yami?
That evening, as dusk fell Yugi was escorted out to a waiting carriage. It was small and dirty. He sat inside next to Tea, who was crying because she was so scared. Yugi took her hand in his and squeezed it to comfort her as the carriage began to pull away. As it moved Seto jumped into the carriage.
"Found him." He whispered to Yugi. "And he knows!" Yugi just nodded, understanding what Seto meant. He had warned Joey of their plight, and now Yugi could do no more.
Yugi stared out of the window. Behind them followed two more carriages carrying other servants, and roughly ten advisers escorted them on horseback. Once the palace was out of sight everyone except the advisers was blindfolded, and for hours they travelled, not knowing where they were or how late it was. Eventually Yugi drifted off to sleep, the motion of the carriage and the never-ending darkness given by his blindfold lulled the young boy into a dreamless doze.
AN - Oh, the plot thickens! What will happen? Read on to find out! Read and Review please, do you like the added tension?
