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 8 – Mistakes

Yami passed a weary hand over his eyes. His body wasn't in pain, Ishizu had made sure of that with her medicines, but his heart ached as if it would break. Silent tears ran down his face. It had been the hardest thing he had ever had to do, putting his seal on the warrant for Yugi's execution. He had refused at first sure that he must have been mistaken of his attackers identity but Seto had convinced him in the end. His hand trembled as he placed it against his forehead and he closed his eyes. If he was so sure he had seen Yugi attack him then why did his head and heart ache so? Was it because Yugi had betrayed him... was that the reason. He shook his head as his thoughts drifted back to the pledge Yugi had made to him the previous day. He had been so sincere with his words and there had been no malice in his eyes. Yugi's heart was pure and innocent, how could he be the one who had tried to kill him? He shook his head and again he asked himself the question. If he was so sure it had been Yugi then why did something feel wrong? He ran the events of the night over in his head for what seemed like the hundredth time. He had recognised Yugi's hair, only one other person had hair like that and there was no way he had attacked himself. The size and shape of his attacker had been the same as Yugi's...so why did he feel like he was missing something. His hand dropped back into his lap. Maybe he was trying to find something that wasn't there, because he wanted Yugi to be innocent. He turned his head at a slight noise from the room behind him. Had he just heard the door to the servant's entrance open?

'Who could that be?' he thought angrily.

He had ordered that no one was to disturb him. Maybe it was another attacker? His hand reached for the sword, which lay on the table beside him. Carrying the sword before him he slowly crept into the main room. He looked around.

'There's no one here. Maybe I imagined it'.

He started to lower the sword when he caught sight of the shadow being cast by the ornate column which stood in the centre of the room. Someone was standing behind it.

"I know your there, show yourself", he commanded.

The shadow moved and the figure of a tall, blonde and obviously frightened boy stepped out. At the sight of the Pharaoh he dropped to his knees and lowered his forehead to the ground.

"P...Please mighty Pharaoh. Please don't hurt me. I bring information...about Yugi," the boy stuttered in a terrified voice.

Yami approached the boy. Had he heard right? Did the boy have information about Yugi?

"Speak, what is this information you say you have".

"Please my Lord you must listen to me, Yugi is innocent. He was not the one who attacked you. I know you think it was him but it couldn't have been because he was with me all night in the tunnels under the palace."

"What do you mean? Who are you?"

"My name is Jou my Lord"

"Jou? Yes, I remember, you are Yugi's friend from his grandfather's house. You were the friend Yugi helped a few weeks ago."

"Yes, my Lord he did help me. You see I ran away from my master and was living on the streets. Yugi helped me by hiding me in the disused tunnels under the palace, bringing me food and clothes. He was with me last night when you were attacked. I know you have no reason to believe a word I'm saying but please, you have to save Yugi. I don't care what happens to me...let me take his place. Please, my Lord, please don't let him die".

The boy lifted his tear stained face to Yami's.

'This boy isn't lying,' Yami realised.

'He is genuinely begging for Yugi's life to be spared, even to the point of offering to take his place, you can see it...in...his...eyes'.

Yami's thoughts trailed off and his eyes widened in horror. That was the missing link. His attackers eyes, ...had...been...blue". Yugi's eyes were deep violet like his own.

"No...what have I done".

Yami dropped to his knees in shock as the full reality of his mistake dawned on him.

"I have made a terrible mistake Jou and I've accused and condemned a dear friend of a crime he did not commit".

He laid a hand on Jou's shoulder.

"I believe you Jou. Thank you, your selfless actions have shown me the errors of my own judgement".

"Please my Lord, spare Yugi's life".

"I will Jou but we must hurry".