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.

"..." Conversation

'...' Thought

.+...+.+ Yami to Yugi mind link

...+ Yugi to Yami mind link

Chapter 2 – Gift

They rode at a leisurely pace through the morning sun as they made their way through the streets of the city, enjoying the feeling of freedom. There were many beautiful and peaceful gardens within the palace walls but nothing was quite like escaping the palace completely. They continued to ride through the city stopping occasionally to talk to people and point at the interesting stalls and shows which filled the busy market streets. As they made their way down the main street running through the centre of the city Yugi turned to Jou and pointed to an alleyway off to the right. Jou turned to look at where Yugi was pointing and shivered as he too recognised the alley. He turned back to Yugi.

"Still looks the same doesn't it" he said a slight hint of emotion in his voice. Yugi nodded and turned back to Yami.

"That was the alley where I met Jou after he escaped from my grandfather."

Yami nodded.

"This is going to sound terrible Yugi but in some ways we have a lot to thank your grandfather for."

"How do you mean?" Yugi asked confused.

"I was looking for slaves that day two years ago. If he had taken you into his home, as he should have done I would never have met you and you would have been in even greater danger then you already were. Seto would have found you eventually and there would have been no one to stop him. He could well have succeeded with his plan and destroyed the world."

Yugi shuddered but nodded.

"I know you're right but I'm not sure I can ever forgive my grandfather for what he did to me," he said sadly.

Yami bent down closer to him and whispered in his ear.

"I know something that will cheer you up."

Yugi looked up expectantly. Yami smiled and turned his horse down a street to their left and stopped before a large shop. The sign outside identified it as a jewellers. Yugi knew this was the royal jewellers and rolled his eyes. Not more jewellery Yami was obsessed with the stuff. Yami dismounted and entered the shop beckoning for Yugi to follow him. The shop was dimly lit but even in the poor light Yugi could see the flash of the gold and jewels on the shelves. Yami approached the counter and a short, skinny man appeared. The shopkeeper bowed to the Pharaoh and then the two of them began to talk in hushed tones. Yugi leant a little bit closer trying to hear what they were saying but before he could get close enough the shopkeeper left through a curtain in the back of the shop. Yami waited. Soon the man was back but this time he was carrying a polished wooden box with the eye of Horus embossed in gold on the lid. Yami took the box and thanked the shopkeeper. He turned to Yugi. Yugi was about to ask what it was when Yami closed his eyes and placed a hand on top of the box. The millennium eye began to glow on his forehead. Yugi started to back away slowly, the eye normally only glowed when Yami was calling forth his shadow powers. Something that usually only happened when he was angry. Yugi was about to reach for the door handle and flee when the eye faded and Yami opened his eyes. He approached Yugi and held out the box to him. Yugi gave him a questioning look.

"What is it?" he asked.

"A gift."

Yugi gingerly took the box from Yami's hands. It was heavy and Yugi gave an inward groan. If this was jewellery for him to wear it was going to weigh a ton.

"Open it."

Yugi followed Yami's instruction and opened the lid of the box. He gasped. Inside the box was a perfect replica of the millennium puzzle that Yami wore around his neck.

"Its beautiful," Yugi exclaimed.

Yami took the box from his hands and lifted out the replica puzzle.

"Want to put it on now?" he asked.

Still concerned about the weight but not wanting to offend Yami, Yugi nodded. Yami placed the gold chain around Yugi's neck and fastened the clasp. As Yami let go Yugi braced himself for the weight. But none came. The puzzle was as light as a feather. He couldn't have hidden his shock particularly well because Yami chuckled. What came next was even more of a surprise.

.+.+ Not as heavy as you thought +.+

Yugi yelped and looked up at Yami. Had Yami just spoken in his head? Yami continued to chuckle at Yugi's surprise.

.+.+ It's my gift to you.+.+

Yugi jumped again.

"What...how...how are you doing that,"

"I used the power of the shadow realm to transfer some of the puzzles power into your copy. We can talk to each other using our minds now," Yami explained.

"You mean I can talk to you and you to me without actually speaking out loud," Yugi asked still in shock.

.+.+ Yes.+.+

Yugi was silent for a moment as he stared down at the puzzle in his hands. Yami was a little hurt at the boy's silence. Maybe he had been wrong and Yugi didn't like the gift. Yami made to turn towards the door but Yugi grabbed his arm.

.+ Thank you, I love it + Yugi answered using the puzzle.

Yami sighed in contentment as Yugi smiled up at him.

.+.+ Your welcome Yugi.+.+

Yugi showed Jou the puzzle as they left the shop. Jou was utterly amazed at the gift. For some reason Yugi did not tell Jou about the puzzle's special ability. Yami was about to ask Yugi again if he really did like the gift but Yugi answered for him.

.+ I just want to keep this a secret between you and me for the time being. Besides I'm looking forward to winding up Jou. Want to play. +

.+.+ I see. A game. I'm good at those, Yami smirked understanding Yugi's plan. +.+

They started out with an innocent conversation about the weather. The fun thing was that by using the power of the puzzles they kept finishing each other's sentences. Jou looked from one to the other in utter amazement and confusion as the conversation progressed.

"Of course it's been like..."

"...this for weeks. Hasn't..."

"...rained in ages. Might do..."

"...next week..."

"...though".

Jou finally couldn't take it anymore.

"HOW IN RA ARE YOU TWO DOING THAT?" he finally yelled.

The Royal pair turned in the saddle to give him an innocent look.

"Doing...

"...what." they said together.

"That, finishing each others sentences."

They turned back to look at each other keeping their innocent expressions.

"Can't think..."

"...what he's..."

"...talking about..."

"...can you."

Realising they weren't going to tell him Jou groaned and buried his face in the mane of his horse. Honda rode up beside him and patted his back in a comforting, understanding fashion.

At the arrival of the Pharaoh chaos broke out in the slave market. People tried desperately to put their best stock to the front for him look at. Yami just waited for the chaos to die down before he approached the lines of slaves. Yugi followed. Yami stopped and waved his arm to the rows of slaves.

"Off you go then and remember if you don't pick wisely this time I'll pick for you."

Yugi nodded quickly and dismounted. He started to walk up and down the rows of slaves. He may be being forced into it but at least he would make a good choice if he could. He continued to walk past the older slaves knowing that Yami would never let him pick one and approached a line of younger slaves that looked around his age. He began to look at each one carefully. His eyes swept past a young girl with blue eyes and short brown hair. He was about to move past when he stopped and quickly looked back at the girl.

"Tea," he said surprised.

The girl's eyes widened as he address her.

"Y...Yes Y...Your H...Highness," she stuttered shocked at being recognised and addressed directly.

"Tea? How did you get to be here?" Yugi said again as he moved towards her.

Suddenly he stopped as his eyes settled on another figure in the row behind. This figure was that of an older man and like Tea Yugi knew him.

"Danota," he whispered in fear.

From back where he was standing holding the reins of Yugi's horse Jou couldn't see much. He watched for a short while as Yugi wandered up and down the lines of slaves before his attention began to wander.

"I wonder who Prince Yugi is talking to."

Honda said beside him. Jou's attention refocused and his eyes travelled to where Yugi was standing in front of a line of younger slaves.

"Don't know. Maybe he's chosen a new servant. Let's hope Yami approves this time, if..."

He stopped. Yugi was beginning to back away from the line. Concerned Jou began to run across the yard towards his friend. Honda followed.

Jou skidded to a halt beside Yugi. Yugi's face was pale and he was noticeably shaking as he stood looking transfixed into the crowd.

"What's the matter Yug? You look like you've see a ghost," Jou called out as he reached his friend.

Getting no response from Yugi Jou looked to see what had scared him so much. His eyes fell onto the familiar face of Danota and he drew his sword.

"DANOTA," he snarled as he descended on the man that had caused Yugi, himself and many others unbearable pain over the years.

The other slaves backed away quickly from the sword bearing man. Danota gave a small pitiful cry as Jou advanced and dropped cowering to the floor. Jou was shaking with un-containable rage and his blood boiled with hatred as he towered over the defenceless figure before him. He raised the sword to strike down his torturer.

"JOU, NO."

Jou's arm froze as he heard Yugi scream out his name. Jou whirled around to his friend, sword still in hand.

"What's the matter Yug? This animal deserves to be punished for what he did to us."

Not waiting for a response Jou turned back to the man on the floor and raised his sword again. This time he felt Yugi grab hold of his arm.

"JOU, I SAID NO."

Jou looked at Yugi confused.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want my best friend to become a cold blooded killer."

Yugi was sobbing now but he still kept a tight hold on Jou's arm. Jou began to lower his sword at seeing his friend's distress. He hung his head in shame as he began to realise what he had almost done. He had nearly killed an unarmed and defenceless man in cold blood.

"I...I'm sorry Yug, really I am. I didn't think. It...it's just seeing that piece of filth after all this time I lost it."

Yugi let go of Jou's arm and wiped his tears away. Jou moved back to stand beside Honda, shaking violently with shock. Yugi turned back to where Danota was still cowering on the floor in fear. He was vaguely aware that Yami had approached the scene.

Yugi looked down at the man cowering before him as he struggled with the turmoil of emotions flowing through him. He thought back to the life of pain and fear he had lived with his grandfather and the way Danota had treated not only himself and Jou but others as well. Just like Jou hatred boiled through Yugi's veins but as he looked down at the man before him his heart began to soften. Instead of the towering and powerful being he had once been, all Yugi saw was a frightened cowering shell of a man. He remembered a time when Danota had been the most feared slave master in the district. His punishments had always been harsh and both Yugi and Jou bore the scars as proof. Yugi had hated this man with every fibre of his being but he had almost forgotten that Danota, although his grandfathers slave master, had always been a slave himself. Seeing him here now, in the slave market, living the life he had forced upon others, was punishment enough. In that moment Yugi forgave Danota for the past.

"Get up," he said to Danota.

Danota didn't move. Yugi bent down and held out his hand.

"I said, get up."

Danota opened his eyes and saw the hand held out to him. Yugi helped him to his feet and stood back. He looked hard at the broken man before him. He turned to Tea who was standing transfixed with fear.

"Tea, come here," he said gently.

Tea made a small hesitant step forward.

"Please, I won't hurt you."

She took another hesitant step forward and dropped to her knees at the feet of the Prince.

"There's no need for that Tea," Yugi said as bent down lift her back to her feet.

"Now tell me how you got to be here. Did my grandfather sell you?"

Tea raised her head to look at Yugi.

"N...No he died, about two months ago."

Yugi closed his eyes at the sudden news of his grandfather's death. An unbelievable feeling of relief flooded through him. He was finally free. His grandfather could never hurt him again.

.+.+ Are you all right Yugi+.+ Yami asked in concern through their mind link.

.+ Yes.+ Yugi responded with a mental sigh.

.+ I'm finally free.+ He felt Yami's understanding flow through their link.

Yugi looked back up to Tea and then over to the slave pen master who had been hovering in the background.

"I will take this one," he said pointing to Tea.

The slave master nodded and Tea gave a gasp in surprise. She fell back to her knees and kissed the bottom of his robe. Slightly embarrassed Yugi pulled her back to her feet. Honda stepped forwards and placed a comforting and protective arm around her shoulders gently manoeuvring her towards the horses. Yugi turned back to Danota.

"Life has not treated you well lately Danota," he said.

His voice was firm but there was no malice there anymore. Danota fell to his knees before the boy he had treated and punished like a slave for so many years. He was trembling in anticipation, sure that his life was about to end. Yugi took a step closer to him.

"P...Please Your Highness, let me say a few words before you decide my fate."

Yugi nodded, he already knew what his decision would be. Danota continued.

"I know that you can never forgive me for what I did to you. I was only following the orders of the master but I admit that I was harsh and cruel. I deserve nothing less than the final sentence and I accept your judgement but I am truly sorry for my actions."

Yugi straightened to his full height, which wasn't much.

"Do you fully repent?"

"Yes," Danota responded in a tired voice. He knew the end was coming.

.+ Yami, could we use another stable hand at the palace. + Yugi asked through the mind link.

Seeing where Yugi was going with this Yami played along.

.+.+ Yes, we could use another hand if you're sure this is what you want. +.+

.+ It is. +

"Are you any good with horses?" Yugi asked Danota.

Danota's head shot up.

"Y...Your Highness?" he responded in an obviously shocked voice.

"Are you any good with horses? We could do with more help in the palace stables," Yugi repeated.

Danota had been expecting to be sentenced to death and executed on the spot or at the least thrown in the dungeon, not to be offered a job at the palace.

"Well? Better answer quickly or I might change my mind," Yugi said as he smiled kindly down at him.

"I...I... yes I can work with horses."

"Good."

Yugi beckoned over to the slave master who drew out a bunch of keys and unlocked the shackles from Danota's ankles. Yugi turned around to the shocked audience behind him.

"Are you sure about this Yug?" Jou asked.

Yugi nodded and Jou shrugged his shoulders in acceptance.

"Your Highness," Yugi turned back to Danota.

"Thank you, for showing me mercy when I deserved none."

Yugi nodded.

"Just don't make me regret it."

Danota smiled, a genuine smile. Something Yugi realised he had never seen him do before.

"No Your Highness I promise you, you won't."

.+.+ Yugi, are you really sure this is what you want+.+ Yami asked again.

.+ Yes, I think it's finally time to lay the old ghosts to rest. +