Strong tan hands ran over creamy-pale skin. Yami pulled Yugi into a kiss as he gently began pulling off Yugi's remaining clothes. Yugi whimpered softly, but pulled himself closer to Yami.

Seto cleared his throat. "Um...Yami..."

Yami glanced up at Seto. "Yes?"

"You asked to speak to me," he said softly.

Yami rolled onto his back, pulling Yugi on top of him. "I did, didn't I?" he said distractedly playing with Yugi's blond bangs.

"Should I come back later?" he asked even softer.

Yami's eyes jumped up to look at Seto, surprised. His normally apathetic eyes seemed so full of emotion now. He even seemed to be fighting back tears.

Yami slide out from under Yugi. "No, no...lets go to the meeting room..."

Seto nodded, turned abruptly, and began to walk quickly ahead of Yami. Yami hurried after Seto but it wasn't until they had reached the room he stopped. Forgetting completely what he had wanted to talk about, he placed his hand on Seto's arm and leaned in close to Seto. "Are you okay?" he whispered into Seto's ear.

Seto tensed, but didn't move. "F-fine..."

He turned to look Yami n the eyes. A single tear fell down his cheek, but Seto hastily whipped it away. "Have...have you chose a wife yet?"

Yami watched Seto closely. "No...I'm sorry..." He brushed a lock of Seto's hair off his face. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Seto nodded. "I'm fine, Yami. Have...have you something you want to discuss?"

"Seto, come here." He pulled Seto closer to him. "Please, Seto, as my friend. Tell me what's wrong?"

Seto shook his head and turned from him. "It's nothing," he said tightly. "What do you want to talk about?"

"There's been some grave robberies. Make sure Bakura isn't up to anything," he said shortly. He pushed past Seto, angrily.

Seto caught his hand, pulling him back. "You want to know what's bothering me? You really do?" He closed the door and pushed Yami down in a chair. "You're a jerk! You think everything has changed. You're a pharaoh now. You're so much better than EVERYONE." Yami opened his mouth to speak, but Seto stopped him. "No! Shut up! I don't care if you kill me for this! Someone has to set you in your place. You're still Yami! You are NOT Ra's son. He may be your ancestor but He certainly isn't your father! You may be Egyptian. You may be from the Royal family. But you're NOT divine. You're not a demigod and certainly not a god. You're Yami. You and I used to play together. Than you seduced me and basically told me I have to. You were the prince and so I had to. But secretly I had always wanted to. And even if you didn't...love me...at least you liked me and let me lie with you. It's all I ever wanted. I'm so sorry I told you I love you. You wouldn't have left me. I'd still be able to pretend. But seeing you with him...with that boy...I know you love him. And it hurts...it kills me. It makes me wonder what in this existence makes him better than me. So tell me...why?"

"He...Seto..." Yami looked down at his hands in his lap. "I was only fascinated with him at first. But then...I knew he was going to leave me. He was the King of the Celts...he was going to leave...and so I chained him. I had to keep him...I had to have control... He...I needed him, though." Yami clutched at the arms of the chair. "I don't know why." He looked up at Seto. "He's just a boy. Just a child.. But I need him. I need him to feel complete...I adore him...the closest I've ever come to loving someone is you...but I can't..." Fingers weaved in with his hair as he held his head in his hands. "You said by the time I died, you'd be gone already. And that... Knowing I'd be alone... I'd rather live alone than get hurt like that."

"So you're going to make me..." Seto shook his head, disgusted. "Goodbye then. And choose a wife." He left, slamming the door.

~~~

Yami slowly made his way back to his room. He walked behind Yugi and gently ran his fingers through Yugi's soft hair. Distractedly, he began pulling dye through Yugi's pale blond hair.

"What are you doing?" Yugi whined and turned to look at him.

"I'm dying your hair to look like mine," he said, jerking Yugi's head back.

~~~

Yami sighed. Again, his guards had brought in Shadi. Angrily, he said, "Give Seto the ankh. There, no more harassment. Go away." He stood up angrily and left.

Seto looked at where Yami had left in amazement. He motioned for Bakura to take the God Key. "Take it to the temple," he said distractedly, then ran after Yami. "Yami!" he called.

Yami whirled around. "What?! Go away!"

Seto grabbed Yami. "What in Ra's Kingdom is the matter?!"

Yami pushed Seto. "I don't want to be pharaoh!" he screamed. "I don't want this responsibility, I don't want you to hate me, I don't want to hurt people!" He left Seto standing there, shocked.

~~~

Yami stripped off his robes and climbed into bed next to his sleepy prodigy. Not caring if he woke him, he pulled the small body close to him, burying his face into Yugi's soft hair. He began to sob loudly, finally waking Yugi.

He moved a bit and yawned. "`ou ` kay?" he mumbled.

Yami's arms tightened around him. "Please...don't ever leave me."

Yugi rolled over to face him. "`ami? `ou ` kay?" He snuggled in close to Yami, liking the sound of his heartbeat.

Yami began touching Yugi's delicate features. "No," he whispered. His arms folded around Yugi, pulling him against his body. He began petted Yugi's head, tears running down his cheeks. "I need you so much," he choked out.

Seto opened the door and walked in. "Yami?"

"Go away," Yami said miserably.

Seto walked over to them. "Yami...I wanted to make sure you were feeling okay."

Yami reached out and pushed Seto, knocking him off balance. "Go away," he said with more force.

Seto's teeth clenched and bowed in. "Yes my pharaoh," he said a bit sarcastically.

~~~