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 10 – Broken Promises

Yami's head was reeling as they ran down the corridor. What had he done, he had been tricked into accusing Yugi of attempting to kill him. He realised now that the attack had been nothing more than an attempt to get rid of them both.

'Why?' he thought.

'Me I can understand but why Yugi?"

He slowed to a halt before the door to the dungeons. He had never been down there before. It was not normally a place for a Pharaoh but nothing was going to stop him now. He wrenched the door open and quickly descended the stairs, Jou close behind him. There was very little light in the corridor but enough to see by. Together they hurried down the small dank corridor looking urgently into each of the cells. Yugi was nowhere to be found. Yami felt panic wash over him. Where was he? They couldn't be too late...could they? They had been slowly making their way further and further down the corridor and the torches were becoming few and far between. Yami had no idea what was at the end of the tunnel, this was a part of palace life he was not involved in, except when he was required to pass judgment on a particular case, like with Yugi. His fear was mounting. Where was he? He stopped to lean against a wall, worry etched on his face. He slowly became aware of a slow shuffling sound coming from direction of the darkened tunnel. He stood and cautiously walked forward. Someone was coming towards them. The figure seemed to be holding onto the wall for support.

"Who's there?" Yami called out.

The figure stopped and lifted his head.

"Honda...is that you?" Yami said in recognition.

Yami caught the look of distress on his bodyguards face...had he been crying?

"Honda....what is it?" Yami asked slowly.

"My...my Pharaoh, what are you doing down here?" Honda replied.

"I'm looking for Yugi, do you know where he is?" A look of distress and grief crossed Honda's face. He was silent.

Slowly Yami realised the cause of Honda's distress and he felt his legs give way as an unbearable grief washed over him. He was vaguely aware that Jou had caught hold of him, stopping him from crashing to the floor.

"No...." he whispered.

"I've failed him."

He could hear Jou sobbing loudly beside him as he too realised the reason for Honda's distress.

Yami slowly reached out a hand to the wall to steady himself. He felt numb, as though someone had plunged a knife into his heart and his lifeblood was slowly slipping away. It was a while before he could speak.

"When...?" he asked quietly.

"Only a few moments ago," Honda replied in a sad voice.

"Where?" Yami asked in an anguished voice.

Honda pointed back down the dark tunnel to where he had come from.

"Take me there".

"Your...Your Highness are you sure?" Honda stammered in a shocked voice.

"Yes, please show me Honda".

As Honda led them down the corridor Jou remained by Yami's side in case he collapsed again. Yami couldn't think why.

'Surely he wants to kill me for what I've done to his friend?' Yami thought dully.

Honda stopped before a large heavy door and turned around. Yami nodded and Honda pushed the door open. The chamber beyond was empty and dimly lit. With all his remaining strength Yami walked forward into the room. He looked around taking in the racks of weapons and instruments. He had no idea such a terrible place existed within his own palace. He walked to the centre of the room. The floor was blood stained and to Yami's horror he saw that some of the blood was fresh. He fell to the floor his grief overwhelming him. His wailing sobs of anguish echoed around the chamber.

It was a long time before the Pharaoh fell silent.

Jou and Honda made a move to approach when suddenly Yami stood and walked with purpose over to one of the racks that lined the walls. He reached out a hand and grabbed hold of one of the swords. Then with a look of grim determination on his face, turned and walked straight for Jou. Jou started to back away. Had the Pharaoh gone mad with his grief? Was he going to kill him? Yami stopped in front of him and taking the blade in his hands held the sword, hilt first, out to Jou.

"Take it", he commanded.

Jou stood fixed to the spot.

"TAKE IT", he commanded again.

Jou, not sure what else to do, took the hilt of the sword in his hands. Yami let go of the blade and lifted his head to look Jou in the face with fierce eyes.

"Now take this sword and strike down the murderer of your friend. I give you my life in exchange. Do with it as you please," and with that he bowed his head and sank to his knees before Jou.

Jou looked in shock at the Pharaoh and then at the sword in his hand.

'It is true,' he thought.

'The Pharaoh is the cause of Yugi's death'.

He felt his anger grow and his hand tightened on the hilt of the blade as he thought of his friend. It would be so simple just to raise his arm and strike the Pharaoh down, make him pay for what he had done. His eyes flashed with hate as he looked down at the Pharaoh kneeling before him. He raised the sword, ready to strike.

Just as Jou was about to deliver the fatal blow he saw Yugi's face flash before him. He stopped.

'No I can't, Yugi wouldn't want me to hurt Yami. Yami was tricked it wasn't his fault'.

He let the sword fall to the floor with a loud clatter, ashamed at what he had nearly done.

"No, I can't," he said out loud.

Yami lifted his head. Tears were streaming down his face.

"You must," he said in a small voice.

"It's all I have to give you. Justice must be done".

Jou bent down to the Pharaoh and held out his hand.

"Yes, justice must be done but not like this. Yugi would not want a life to be given in place of his own, especially not yours. Yugi knew how much you cared for him and I know how much he cared for you. He would have realised you were tricked into thinking he was your attacker. He wouldn't have blamed you".

Honda now approached from where he had been standing in the doorway.

"He was very brave my Pharaoh, even though he was scared. He didn't struggle. It was quick. He wouldn't have suffered".

Yami looked back up at Jou as Honda described how Yugi had gone to his death.

"I promised him nothing would every hurt him again".

"I know," Jou said softly offering his hand once again to the stricken Pharaoh.

"But sometimes promises can't be kept".

Yami nodded sadly and took the offered hand.

"I want to get out of here".

Understanding, Jou slipped Yami's arm around his shoulders and helped the Pharaoh walk out of the chamber and back to the light of the palace.