DECLARAION: - This story has been written and produced by Cathrath (FanFiction. net ID: 609465). Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Cathrath. If you should see this story posted anywhere other than FanFiction .net or under any other name it has been stolen so please notify the author. I do not own Yu-gi-oh.

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Chapter 4 – A Friend in Need

The news that Yugi had saved the Pharaoh's life spread through the palace like wild fire and everywhere Yugi went he was greeted with kindness and gratitude. In some ways it was getting embarrassing. Yugi didn't want the attention. As far as he was concerned he had just done what any friend would have. It didn't help with Yami wanting to shower him with gifts. He refused every single one and said we was perfectly happy as he was. Yami was at a loss as to what he could do for Yugi but he was soon presented with an opportunity.

Yami opened the doors to his chambers and walked in. He removed his crown and placed it on a table before slumped wearily into a chair.

'What a day, if I see one more foreign visitor from another realm or country I'm going to scream,' he thought.

"Yugi", he called out.

No reply came.

'Where could he be?'

His eyes scoured the vast room until he caught sight of the small boy standing on the balcony looking out over the city.

"Yugi?" he said again as he approached.

Yugi turned around.

"Oh, hi Yami".

"What were you thinking about? You were so deep in thought you didn't hear me calling."

Yugi sighed.

"I was thinking of Jou".

"Your friend from your grandfather's house?"

"Yes, I haven't seen him since I left and I was wondering what he was doing".

Yami's eyes lit up.

"Why don't we go and find out".

"What do you mean?"

"Well it's still early and we could both do with the fresh air. Why don't we go out into the city to look for your friend".

"That's a great idea", exclaimed Yugi his face lighting up.

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A short while later both boys were on horseback and exiting through the palace gates. It was hot day and a gentle desert breeze blew in across the city.

'It's nice to be out of the palace for a while,' thought Yugi.

His thoughts turned back to the task at hand. His plan was to try and find Jou. It had been so long since he had seen him. He knew the best place to start was his grandfather's house but needless to say he was very apprehensive of going back. Yami turned to look at the face of his young friend seeing the worry and instinctively knowing its cause.

"Nervous about going home?" he asked.

Yugi gave him a small worried smiled.

"Just a little".

"It will be alright, I promise, no harm will come to you while you're with me, no one would dare".

"I know. It's just...." He stopped.

There in the crowd had he just seen Jou's face. He looked again yes there it was again.

"JOU," he called out.

Jou's face vanished back into the crowd.

"May I be excused Yami?"

Realising Yugi had seen his friend he smiled.

"Of course, I will meet you back here when the sun begins to set, I have some things I want to take care of in the city. Do you need any help?" indicating for one of this bodyguards to follow Yugi.

"No it's ok".

"Very well, I shall see you later," and with that he carried on up the street.

Slowly the crowd followed and Yugi was left alone in the bustling street looking for Jou.

'Where is he? I'm sure I saw him,' Yugi thought.

He looked up the street, taking in the people and stalls. Then he saw him, glancing out from an alley a short way up the street. Yugi made his way over. As Yugi approached Jou pulled further back into the alley, as though fearful of him.

'What is going on?' thought Yugi as he reached the entrance to the alley.

"Jou," he called.

"Jou, it's me Yugi!"

"Yugi?" came a small voice from a closed door way.

"Jou, are you all right?"

Yugi approached the figure and pulled back with a gasp as he caught a glimpse of Jou cowering in the doorway. His arms were covered in cuts and bruises and his clothes were ripped and hanging off his body. He looked like he hadn't eaten in days.

"Jou what happened? Did my grandfather do this to you?"

Jou shook his head.

"Was it Danota?"

At the sound of Danota's name Jou shuddered.

"What happened?" Yugi asked concerned.

And with that Jou relayed the story of how, after Yugi had left with the Pharaoh his grandfather had gone insane with rage, angry that his favourite whipping post had been taken away from him. He described how he had become more than usually cruel to his servants, even hitting Tea who normally pleased him. Danota had also taken his anger out on the servants, especially Jou, as he had been Yugi's friend. He described how it had reached a point when he couldn't take anymore and he had run away. Now he was living on the streets and had been for a few weeks. Jou wiped his eyes, he had been crying whilst he had relayed his story to his friend.

"Wow, look at you Yug," Jou said eyeing Yugi's clothes.

"Much better than the old rags you used to wear," he joked wanting to change the subject and lighten the mood.

Yugi hadn't said a word whilst Jou told his story and he now stood up and walked a little way out into the alley his head bowed. Jou followed him and knelt in front of Yugi, whose shoulders were shaking as he tried to suppress his sobs.

"It's alright Yug" Jou said in an understanding voice.

"I'm fine now, as long as I don't get caught and sent back I'll be ok".

Yugi raised his tear-stained face and whispered softly.

"It's all my fault."

"What. No way Yug, it wasn't your fault, you weren't even there".

"No, and that's why it's my fault".

"Your talking rubbish!" countered Jou.

"No, if I hadn't left with Yami no one would have been beaten and you wouldn't have been hurt. I should never have agreed to go".

He lowered his eyes to the ground, fresh tears falling.

"I wish I had died in that fire with my parents. Then at least my grandfather would never have had to take me in and no one would have got hurt".

Jou's heart felt like it would break at Yugi's humble words.

'He cares nothing for himself, only for others. How can one so kind and unselfish have been treated so badly?' Jou thought.

"You're talking crazy Yug, even if you had never come to live with us our treatment wouldn't have been any better. You can't change the character of a man".

Yugi averted his eyes from Jou's but Jou grabbed Yugi's chin and forced him to look back again.

"Listen, everyone was so happy when the Pharaoh decided to take you as his slave. Do you know why Yugi? It's because you were finally safe. No one liked the way your grandfather treated you and after the last time when he nearly whipped you to death, that feeling grew. It didn't matter what either Danota or he did to us, as long as you were free and safe. That was all that mattered".

Yugi looked at him stunned.

"Really?"

"Yes, Yug really."

Yugi wiped his tears away with the back of sleeve and gave Jou a warm smile.

"What about you?" he asked suddenly.

"What are you going to do?"

Jou looked back down the alley.

"I don't know I might be able to find a new, kinder master, providing I don't get caught first".

Yugi nodded. Escaped slaves were often severely punished and even in some cases put to death if their crimes were very bad. Knowing his grandfather and Danota he was suddenly very fearful for his friend. If he was caught he was sure they would make up some story and apply the maximum penalty.

'I have to help him, but how?'

Suddenly it came to him.

'Yami would help,' he thought hopefully.

Then he realised that even Yami would have to uphold the law and besides he had done so much for Yugi already how could he ask for anything more. No, he would have to think of something else. He looked at the ground deep in thought. Suddenly he snapped his fingers and looked quickly at Jou.

"I've got it, you can hide in the palace, at least until the commotion has died down and they stop looking for you. Then you can go about looking for a new master without fear of being caught".

"Really, where would I hide?"

"There are loads of old disused tunnels and passageways under the palace. I discovered some of them when I was exploring soon after I entered service at the palace. No one would ever think of looking for you there and I could supply you with food and clothing".

"Are you sure Yug, I don't want to get you into trouble".

"No it will be ok. You spent all those years looking after me now its time for me to repay the favour. This is what we will do. Make your way round to the rear wall of the palace just after dark. I know of a way over the wall where the guards don't patrol very often. I can then show you the tunnels".

"Ok Yug. Sounds like a plan," a smile spreading across Jou's face.

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Yugi waited in the square thinking over his plans for the evening. He knew what he had to do.

"Did you find your friend?" Yugi started at Yami's voice.

Yami gave a soft chuckle at having made Yugi jump.

"Yes, thank you".

"Good. Is he well?"

"He's had some tough times but he's going to be fine now," he replied.

Well at least he wasn't lying. He didn't want to have to lie to Yami.

"That is good to hear. Are you ready to return to the palace?"

"Yes".

Yugi made a jump for the stirrup as he tried to mount his horse. He really was too small to be riding a horse. Yami smiled as he observed Yugi's technique.

They talked about the day's activities as they made their way back to the palace and once back in the Pharaoh's chambers Yugi set about preparing Yami's dinner. Yami settled in for the night and once Yugi was sure Yami was asleep he left the chambers quietly and made his way down to the courtyard. In another few hours it would be fully dark.

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Darkness descended and Yugi, making sure the coast was clear, set off across the courtyard to a small, secluded, group of trees. He disappeared though the trees and made for the far wall of the palace grounds. The wall was heavily overgrown and unless you knew they were there you could not see the small stepping-stones inserted in the wall. It had obviously been used as an escape route for someone in the past and Yugi had discovered it by accident one day whilst exploring. He climbed the wall and looked out over the top. The guards very rarely came this way as it was so overgrown and a grown adult could not have squeezed through the small gap in the undergrowth. However, it was no problem for a small fifteen-year-old boy. He called out.

"Jou...Jou are you there?"

Yugi held his breath while he waited for a reply.

"Yug, is that you?"

"Yes, where are you?"

Jou quickly moved from his hiding place and ran towards the wall.

"How do I get up?" he asked.

"If you squeeze though that gap in the bush you can see steps going up the wall. Climb up and I'll show you the entrance to the tunnels".

Jou climbed the wall quickly and dropped down beside Yugi. Yugi then proceeded to lead Jou through the trees to a small mound of overgrown stone. He reached down and grabbed a handle and lifted a trap door.

"This is the entrance to the tunnels. When I found them the first time I came up this way."

They both climbed down and shut the trap door behind them. Yugi lit the torch he was carrying and led Jou down the tunnels to a small room.

"I'm not sure what this used to be but it looks like nobody has used it for a while so it should be safe for you to hide in".

"This is great Yug".

"I've left some food and clothes here and there are more torches and flint if you need them. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to come to see you, probably only at night, but I'll try to come as much as possible and I'll bring you food".

"Thanks Yug, I don't know how to thank you," Jou said gratefully.

"It's me who should be thanking you Jou, for all those times you helped and looked after me. I'm just glad I'm finally able to help".

"You had better be getting back Yug. Someone might miss you".

"Yes, you're right, sleep well Jou".

Yugi left Jou and made his way down the tunnel. He knew how to get out but the difficult bit was making sure nobody saw him. He reached the end of the tunnel and pushed a rock to open a small concealed door in the wall. He slipped through and pushed the door shut behind him. He remembered how he had found the entrance to the tunnels in the first place. He had tripped and fallen against, or rather through the wall. He knew now that pushing a small carving operated the door but it had been startling at the time. He moved quickly up the corridor and through the servant's entrance to Yami's chambers. He made it to his bed and lay down with a sigh of relief. It didn't look like anyone had missed him. He drifted off into a contented sleep unaware that a tall figure had been watching his every move from the shadows.