Alrighty, another chappy… Finally…

Yugi: Yes, finally. Now, when was this posted?

Ari: *blush* Two months ago.

Yugi: *sighs* Ah well. At least it WAS finished…

Ari: Hai…

Yugi: *frowns* You're not very talkative. Why? You were extremely hyperactive a second ago.

Ari: Mom's yelling at me… *cries* It's not fair. I swear, everyone hates me. Why don't they understand what's important to me might not be the same as what's important to them? Sometimes, I wish I could just die…

Yugi: …

Ari: Sorry, I'm being depressing. I guess I should be happy, finally finishing this…

Yugi: Right… I'll talk, then. First of all, Ari does not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters. This story will be YAOI, with the main pairing being Yami x Yugi. And, as before, Ari would like to dedicate it to Radiany.

"…" is normal talking

'…' is Yugi's think-talk

Ari: Is there anything that I'm forgetting…? I'm sorry if I forgot something… *sighs* I really can't think right now. It's not fair… I just want to say, thank you, everyone. If not for you and all my friends, I probably wouldn't want to live…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter Two

         As Feelings Blossom

   The clear aqua water was brushed aside as the sleek shape cut through the crystal wetness for the surface, the land of his unshatterable dream. To him, the cerulean sky was ever so much more blue than the sea, the salty sea-breeze incomparable against the sweet aromas of a myriad of blossoms, the dark twilight depth never holding a torch to the land of bright laughter, of sparkling dreams. He could not wait to feel the teasing breeze on his still-damp skin, but he heeded the sorceress's warning. He would swim closer to the shore before he would gulp the delicious air down.

   As Yugi's initial burst of excitement calmed, he began to see the gravity of the situation. (A/N: Gravity as in seriousness, not as in the force that pulls people down.) He would never return home again, no matter what happened. If Yami loved him, then he would be a human. If Yami rejected him, he would become a part of the sparkling white foam crashing upon the waves… the foam he had so envied for their freedom. But they had no life. They traveled where the sea would take them, never breathing, never thinking, never enjoying their existence, their liberty.

   'He must love me,' Yugi thought desperately. His amethyst-eyes clouded with doubt, their brilliant joy hidden under a gauzy curtain of worry. How could two people fall in love in less than three days? But he had loved the prince from the beginning, had he not? He had loved the beautiful human for his courage and kindness, for his willingness to throw away everything to save his people. The amethyst eyes looked down with shame. To someone so wonderful, what did he have to offer?

   He knew he was nearing the surface as a buttery golden ray of the sun bounced onto his nose. The early morning sunlight flitted through the azure liquid, languishly chasing the flickering shadows, the world of air and sky joining with the world of watery dusk. Yugi put on an extra burst of speed, though hiss over-taxed muscles ached. He had precious little time. His sister would be looking for him now, he knew. She must not find him until it was too late to go back.

   Was that a flash of silver? Yugi swam faster, fearing to see the sheet of shimmering hair, and beryline cat-like eyes. She would not let him go, for something had happened in the past between and human and her.

   The glimmer of pearly sand caught his attention, and amethyst eyes stared at the shore, so close, yet so far. Schools of fish swam past his vision, trying, with their tinkering scales and vibrant colours, to pull him back, as if telling him that his plan would never work. He did not care. He wanted, needed the human prince. Such was the way of mermaids' love…

   'Fate tied us to one another,' Yugi murmured in his mind, his expression wistful. Humans did not feel the tug of destiny, but the creatures of magic did. He knew that he must be with the young, ruby-eyed prince, or he would never be able to survive. 'How ironic, that I must love one that is my enemy, when everyone in the ocean loved me…'

   The sapphire depth could not answer his questions, calm his worries. He could turn only, beseechingly, to the azure sky, filled with snowy-white cottony clouds lined with silver hope.

   With the buttery smooth sand under his feet, the pale-skinned amethyst-eyed beauty stepped out of his ancient home, into the land of his people's nemesis, to offer his heart to the one whose blood he should spill, letting it flow in its scarlet rivulets to pay the long-forgotten debt, to mend the promise broken in the dawn of time. Was it a wise choice? He did not know. It was too late to change his mind now, even if he had ever wished to, for his shimmering, sea-coloured tail split, forming long, smooth-skinned, milky-white legs. Yugi did not notice. His soft, coral lips opened in a silent scream as the pain came.

   The sorceress had, of course, warned him about the pain, but he had dismissed it, the promise of being with Yami so much sweeter. Now, however, tasting the bitter agony first-hand, Yugi's will was almost ready to falter. But only almost. He held, still, to the beautiful, shining promise, an anchor that bound him to life, to hope.

   "What is it, boy?" a deep, rich voice asked in concern. "You look as if you are in pain. Is there anything I can do to help?" The voice was beautifully familiar, jolting the young mer-boy back into consciousness.

   He knew who it was even before his amethyst eyes proved by sight. Before lifting his weary head, he knew what he would see: silky, tanned skin covering a lithe, lightly-muscled body; a mane of wild ebony hair rimmed in violet-crimson struck with gold, matching sun-kissed bangs; and, most of all, the piercing ruby eyes that could be colder than ice, more passionate than blazing flames, as violent and gentle as the sea and the wind. His mouth opened to call out in joy, but he had no voice. 'Yami-Chan…'

   The prince gasped as tearful amethyst eyes met his, the sadness shining out from behind a veil of pure innocence. The familiar pleading stare struck his heart, and a memory surfaced – a treasured memory from only a few hours ago, but seeming like a million years – the memory of a violet-eyed mermaid saving him from the blood-thirsty clutches of the roaring sea. Could this boy be…? But Yami shook his head wistfully. The boy was a human. He had no tail, but beautiful, long, slim legs.

   Yami finally realized that he was staring, and at a certain part that he should not stare at, and blushed. However, the boy did not seem to mind. In fact, he did not even notice as he curled up into a little ball, large eyes shut tight against the pain. The prince's heart went out to him immediately.

   The first thing Yugi felt was a pleasing sensation radiating from a warm hand on his bare arm, succeeding in distracting him from the ever-present pain. He shivered as a biting blade of the wind slashed at his petal-soft skin, for once experiencing the not-so-gentle aspects of the world, but looked up as a thick piece of cloth covered him. He peered at the rough material, figuring it to be Yami's cloak. The prince himself felt cold, but he shrugged it off. He, at least, was wearing some clothes. The mysterious boy was not.

   "What's your name?" Yami murmured softly as he reached down to scoop the boy into his arms. He was not entirely sure why he was doing this. Perhaps he was curious as to why this child looked so much like him, why he was a splitting image of the mer-boy that saved him.

   The young boy opened his soft mouth, large amethyst eyes trusting. Tears sprang to those eyes, which had held joy only moments before, but now showed nothing but anguish. Small hands with long, pale fingers touched the slim, milky-white throat, the boy staring up helplessly. Yami understood. He could not speak.

   "You look so much like him," the prince murmured, his voice holding more than a trace of wistfulness. His blood-red eyes stared at the ocean waves, blue water topped by white foam. "You look so much like the mermaid-child that saved me… His eyes were like yours, large and innocent, shining amethyst with hope. I could almost say that you were – but no, you can't be. You're human… Yet…" Yami realized that he was speaking to himself, though the boy hung onto his every word. He smiled down reassuringly. "Perhaps, I could pretend… And yet…" He shook his head. No amount of pretense could bring him the mer-boy. "Would you like his name? Would you like to be called Yugi?"

   'You are smitten,' the boy thought, even as he nodded his tri-coloured head. 'Have I made a mistake in becoming a human? What if you don't recognize me? What if… what if…' Three days. He had three days to make Yami see who he was.

   "I apologize for my rudeness," the older teen said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I am Yami, the prince of this kingdom." He hesitated. His mind kept telling him that this boy was merely a stranger, but his heart argued otherwise. It twisted horribly to think of letting him go. He made a quick decision. "Would you like to come to the castle? You do not look as if you have a home…"

   Yugi responded by snuggling closer. How he loved being next to the young prince! Something nagged him at the back of his mind, but he pushed it away again and again, telling himself that there was still time. It came again, haunting him, and in his memory, he saw the moon, scarlet like Yami's ruby eyes. He heard, once again, the prophetic incantations, whispered by his sister many years ago, echoed by himself the night before. A child of royalty shall meet his doom. When the moon's heart flows with blood, and the stars weep their lights away, three days and three nights he has left, after the cock's crow.

   'It won't work,' a part of his mind wailed desperately. 'It won't work, and I'll die!' But another voice answered calmly, 'Better I die than he does. No matter what, I want him to live, and to be happy…'

   Yami studied the tiny figure in his arms. He was so warm and soft, almost reminding the prince of the stuffed animals he had as a child. A faint sea-scent drifted from his messy hair, still damp, and Yami wondered what he had been up to. Why was he by the cold ocean just past sunrise? Why was he wearing nothing? Who was he, that Yami did not remember seeing him? Surely, someone so incredibly beautiful would have caught his attention. Most of all, however, was the question of what to do with him. He obviously had no home, and the prince longed to keep him close. But would his father allow him to keep a stranger at the castle for charity? The old king was not generous.

   "Do you have a place to stay?" the older teen asked gently, not wanting to disturb this moment.

   Yugi looked up sleepily, violet eyes hazy. It took a while for him to comprehend the question, then he shook his head.

   "Would you like to stay with me?" Yami asked hopefully. What was this effect that the boy had on him? He was easily the most beautiful person he had ever seen, but when did he dwell on outward appearances? It was not that. The boy had an aura of innocence and fragileness that he felt he needed to protect.

   Yugi nodded, his arms extending to wrap tightly around the older teen's muscled torso.

   Yami hesitated. "You would have to be a servant, though. But I will make sure you stay by my side…"

   The small boy responded by tightening his hold. Yami's body was warm against his bare skin, and he closed his eyes, rubbing his cheek against the prince's chest. Perhaps he was being too forward. He did not care. He had only three days to live, and each second away from yami hurt something inside his heart.

   The two continued like this, neither wanting to let go. The tranquility swirled around them, curtaining them from the rest of the world. For this short walk back to the castle, Yami finally felt peace.

   When they arrived at the large, gilded oak doors of the castle entrance, Yugi was safely asleep in the older teen's arms, his head resting on Yami's shoulder, his cheek against the side of Yami's neck. Though hating himself for doing it, the prince gently shook him awake.

   'Wha?' Yugi opened his mouth to speak, before realizing that he could not. Instead, he just stared up with his sleep-hazed amethyst eyes, so warm and soft, like an infant's.

   The young prince smiled at him tenderly. "We're here. This is the castle." He hesitated. "You need clothes. I will give you the ones I have outgrown, and send someone to inform my father that you are to be my personal attendant. Meanwhile, wait for me in the hall, outside of my room. You may look around, but don't go too far."

   The amethyst-eyed boy nodded, eyes shining with excitement, as they went from one area to another, traveling in a labyrinth of dazzling corridors. He gaped at the splendor of human buildings, the like of which were unimaginable under the roiling water of the sea. Satiny marble stood as walls and pillars, their surfaces etched with elegant carvings, where dull sand had sufficed in his home. Windows were created with glass, some stained, reflecting light in all its glory, so unlike the dim, filtered light of his underwater kingdom. Such riches were here – gold, silver, gems…

   Finally, they came to the door of Yami's room. The older teen hugged the younger. "Wait here. If anyone bothers you, call me." He was gone before Yugi could remind him that he had no voice.

   'So pretty…' the boy thought to himself, not caring if he was openly staring. Two tall columns supported a glass sunroof, with the sweet light brushing a petaled rose. Footsteps sounded behind him, but he did not turn, assuming that it was Yami.

   "Well, well, a new servant," a sadistically confident voice commented. "You might make an interesting new toy…"

   Yugi spun around, mentally cursing himself. Yami did not have such heavy steps; he was as silent as a cat. Nor did he smell like sweat and alcohol; his scent was refreshing, almost like a spicy desert flower.

   The man smirked at his startlement, pushing a bandana higher on his dirty blonde hair, his sky-blue eyes filled with cruelty. "Listen, newbie, I am Keith. Remember that name. I am the ruler of the rest of you miserable slaves, you hear? Now, be a good kid. Bow down and say 'Yes, Master Keith'."

   Amethyst eyes were filled with fear. Even if Yugi had his voice, he would have been too paralyzed to speak.

   "Bow and say it!" Keith demanded again. When Yugi failed to move, he reached over and grabbed the collar of the cloak, intending to lift the boy up. "What's your name?! How dare y— Woah…"

   The violet eyes held pure panic now, as Yugi tried to clutch the cloak closer. As Keith tore it off, he tried to slip out of his grasp, to hide from the lust-filled eyes roaming over his body. This was what his sister had tried to warn him of… 'Yami!' his mind called desperately. 'YAMI!!'

   "Get back here!" the man hissed, anger replacing a part of the lust. "I'll teach you a lesson, you little whore!" It took no more than the blink of an eye for him to grab the young boy's arm in an iron grip, his fingers bruising soft skin. Already, one hand reached to run sharp nails along the taught stomach. Yugi's muscles tensed at the contact, bile threatening to spill from his tiny mouth. He tried to curl up, to hide, but Keith had lifted him up.

   "No protests?" Keith wondered idly. "Maybe you are a whore. I would enjoy…"

   Yugi's eyes widened and he struggled harder, shaking his head frantically, hoping that Yami would come out soon. Yami… What if Yami did not want him anymore, because someone else touched him? He wouldn't do that… would he?

   "Ah…" the man nodded in comprehension. "A mute. Such a shame, I won't be able to hear your screams, but this certainly make matters much easier." He smirked suggestively. "Shall we begin?"

   The boy's head darted from side to side, eyes wide with the desperate fear of a hunted animal. There! A delicate porcelain vase filled with sweet-smelling water was behind Keith. As he released one hand to untie his pants, Yugi swung around, biting his lip as his wrist was twisted, to aim a kick at the vase.

   Yugi collapsed as pain shot through him, one from the contact of his feet, one from a slap that Keith gave him. He almost missed the loud clatter as the vase shattered, spilling relieving water over his tiny form.

   Keith was livid with anger. "How dare you, you little whore! I'll punish you right now! I'll hurt you so bad that you won't be able to walk for weeks!"

   'I won't live that long,' Yugi wanted to reply, a grim, ironic voice cutting though his head. Now that he caused such havoc in the castle, why would the prince want anything to do with him? He wondered vaguely why he broke the vase to get Yami's attention. Why did I fall in love with a human anyway? They are fickle, materialistic, unfaithful, lustful… Yet, another part of his mind reprimanded him. Yami isn't like that! Yami's kind, gentle… He's perfect, he… Yugi sobbed. He'll never love me!

   "What is going on here?!" a voice demanded in alarm, and the boy gasped upon recognizing it. Yami…

   "Ah, this servant was here, dressed like that – or undressed, I should say – and broke that priceless vase," Keith explained, bowing. "I was just about to teach him a… lesson."

   The prince raised an eyebrow. "Indeed? Is a piece of clay really worth a child's innocence? Answer me… servant."

   The man flushed. "Your Highness, I have no idea what you are talking about."

   Snorting, the youth looked pointedly to his unbuckled belt and half-open pants, then to the young boy sprawled on the ground, sobbing. He allowed no emotion to show on his face, but inside, his heart was torn. There was Yugi, his little Yugi, hurt. If Keith touched him that way, I swear…!!

   "I do not remember summoning you here to punish people for breaking pots," Yami commented coldly. "Servant Keith, I was planning to have you inform my father that I would like this boy as my servant. But…" He waved his hand idly. "I do not think that is such a good idea anymore."

   Tear-clouded amethyst eyes looked up in horror as the taller man advanced. 'Yami-Chan, how could you? You said…'

   "Hold on!" Yami commanded. "I never gave you permission to touch him. You are dismissed, Keith. From this castle. I said that it was not a good idea to send you, not that I do not want him as my servant. I think I will see to this personally."

   Yugi felt a torrent of tears wash over him as Yami knelt down and tenderly caressed his cheek, making sure that he was not injured. He leaned into the prince's hand, nuzzling the soft, tanned skin. Relief coursed through him, carrying away the earlier burst of adrenaline, and he suddenly felt very weak.

   "Are you alright?" the young prince asked anxiously, gently running his hands over the boy's body. "Did he…?"

   The boy shook his head and launched himself towards Yami, hugging him tightly. Warmth flooded through him as two strong arms encircled him, pressing him against a firm chest.

   Cold ruby eyes softened, and a smile graced the prince's lips. He had never before met someone who needed to be comforted, whose very soul seemed to reach out for him with open arms. No, that was not entirely true. There was one other like him – the mer-boy.

   Someone cleared his throat. "My Prince, you asked for these clothes?"

   Only now, broken out of his revelry, did Yami realize where his hands rested. One was at the small of Yugi's back, slightly to the side and curving around the boy's slim waist. The other, however, was a bit lower, resting on something warm and soft. (A/N: His, uh… bottom. ^^)

   "Ack!" Yami had never been so flustered before. "I didn't, I'm not, er, it's not what you think!"

   The newcomer's ice-blue eyes glittered with amusement as he pushed dark violet hair out of his face. His dark, velvety robes glimmered violet where strong light danced upon the fabric, and slightly tanned skin had a soft sheen of sweat in the ever-present heat of summer. In the crock of one arm, half-covered by a voluptuous sleeve, was a white, silky bundle. He placed it down on a nearby, intricately-carved table, and chuckled at the prince's startlement and Yugi's deep blush.

   "My Prince, the white clothes…" He smiled at the younger boy. "Welcome, Yugi. My name is Mahado, but you may call me 'Dark'." (A/N: *smirks* Guess who.)

   As Dark left, Yami held out the clothes, suddenly feeling very awkward. "Ummm… Would you like to put these on?"

   The boy nodded, but hesitated. He had never worn human garments before.

   Yami saw the confusion on his face. "Here, let me help you."

   For a few minutes, the prince taught his young charge about the different types of clothes, helping him get them on. Both blushed whenever skin touched skin, heat flowing through like lightning at these split-second meetings. Eventually, Yugi was dressed in a soft white tunic, tight pants that hugged every curve of his slim legs, snowy leather boots, and a long, feathery cloak that flowed behind like a pair of wings. Though he did not say so, to Yami, Yugi looked like an angel.

   "You're beautiful…" the young prince murmured in awe. Now that he was not so anxious to keep the boy safe, now that he had time to look at him. He sighed, finding it hard to breathe. "You're the most gorgeous person in the world!"

   'Would my beauty be enough to win you over?' Yugi thought sadly. He knew the answer already. Yami was not so superficial.

   The prince hesitated. When he spoke again, it was slowly, thoughtfully. "I don't think others should see you. If they were to act the way that Keith did… I may not be able to keep you safe. Maybe… maybe not even I should see you, lest I…" He left the rest unsaid. Lest I force you into my bed. He had already wanted to, when he first saw and touched the tiny body. He should not, could not. If he did, then he would be no different from the men he despised. He could not hurt such an innocent child.

   Yugi shook his head, hanging onto the prince's arm like if he was his only lifeline. Yami did not know it, but he was. The contact sent fire through his veins, and he found that he could not pull away.

   "Dark!" the ruby-eyed teen called, and the young man appeared as if by magic. "Please inform my father that I have found myself a 'cute little servant' like he commanded, and that we are going to the market. We will return late at night."

   Yugi smiled up brightly. 'Market? Filled with human-made objects…'

   The white-gold noon sun blazed in a cerulean sky, the gauzy wisps of clouds not hiding its almost-overwhelming heat. In this heat strode two white-clad figures, shrouded from head to toe. Rather, one person walked, and the other was carried most of the way. The tiny figure was curled up happily in the taller one's arms, eyes peering sleepily at the strange sights around him; all the different shapes curtained in bright colours selling everything from food to jewelry, weapons to musical instruments.

   'Eh?' Yugi frowned. An ivory-white instrument caught his eyes. Though still sleepy from the warm sun, he scrambled down from Yami's hold and tugged him towards the display.

   "Go ahead." The prince smiled indulgently. "I need to see something at another stand. Here's some money. Buy yourself something nice and wait for me. I should be done in a moment."

   The boy nodded, eyes big and bright, bounding over to the musical instruments. Yami chuckled and turned to a jewelry stand.

   The instrument was calling out to him. He realized it as soon as he saw it. There was a haunting aura throbbing in the air, pulsing like heartbeats. Somehow, it reminded him of the sea. It sang to him of the ocean's beauty, its glory, its power, trying to lure him back. Tears stun the boy's eyes. Why had he never before seen the wonders of his own home? But his will was firm. He would give up the sea a hundred, thousand times over to spend even a few mere seconds with Yami.

   "You like this thing…?"

   A woman with long, black hair and soft, sapphire eyes smiled at him. He could almost sense sadness radiating out of her tanned face. A strange, golden necklace encircled her slim neck, an eye-like charm at its center. (A/N: Isis, of course. No, she's not important. I just felt like using the Yu-Gi-Oh characters. ^^)

   Yugi nodded. 'It calls to me, telling me to return to the sea. It warns me that human love never lasts…'

   "Then it is true," the woman murmured. "You are the child of the sea king. The instrument is a harp, made from the bones of the fish washed upon the shores. The strings, however, are strands of mermaid's hair."

   Silver hair… The amethyst eyes widened in recognition. 'Who was it?! Who was it that cut my sister's hair?'

   "He is head," she answered. "Yes, I can see your thoughts. He is head. He was your sister's lover, but he had betrayed her. She killed him to return to the sea."

   'She wouldn't!' Yugi exclaimed. 'She's not like that. She would not kill someone else to live.'

   "But she did." The tone left no question as to its truth. "I was there. They both came, and they both killed to live…"

   'They? Who is the other?'

   "The young apprentice sorceress."

   Yugi understood. He could return. If Yami did not love him, then he could return, at the cost of the other's life. But… could he? Could he forget all his feelings and kill the one he loved? He did not want to think about this.

   Even without realizing it, the boy placed his hands upon the harp. He reeled back in shock, and would have cried out had he had his voice, as a torrent of thought, none his own, flooded into his mind.

   "I love you…"

   "No, why…?"

   "Please… Just us…"

   "Ahhhhhh! What is this feeling?"

   Good emotions… but now… Anger, pain, sadness…

   "Who is she?! Why are you…"

   "No! Why? I love you… She doesn't care! I love you…"

   Then, coldness…

   "If that is how it must be, then I will…"

   'NO!' Yugi pushed away the thoughts, suddenly nauseous. Dizziness swept over him, and he reached out a hand to steady himself. The young woman reached out to support him, but he pulled away. No one must touch him. Even Yami thought it was not safe for him to see the boy. He found himself on the ground and lurched to his feet. He must go somewhere. He could not remain.

   'Ne, what's this?' His curiosity sparked, the boy's fear soon dissipated, leaving only a shadow of memory. He ignored it, finding the object before him more interesting. It sparkled in the sun, white and black, violet and crimson.

   "Do you like this ring, lad?" a kindly old man asked.

   Yugi nodded. He did like it a lot. Now, he could decipher what the gems made – a kingly figure with ruby eyes and an angelic one with amethyst eyes, holding onto each other as if the world was going to end. And perhaps it was, he realized. Perhaps this was their last moment together…

   "Keep it."

   The boy blinked. 'Eh? He wants me to keep it?'

   "It has chosen you, I think," the man said. "Take it. It belongs to you."

   Bowing a thanks, the amethyst-eyed boy turned… and realized that he had no idea where he was. 'Y-yami-Chan?'

   While the boy listened to his sister's hidden memories, the prince went to a jewelry stand, though not the same as the one that Yugi ran to. This stand was run by someone he knew, someone he could trust.

   "Master Shadi," Yami greeted, reaching into a fold of his sleeve to take out a golden, pyramid-shaped object dangling on a silver chain. A strange eye symbol decorated one of its triangular faces. "I want a replica of this…" (A/N: Millennium Puzzle, if you haven't guessed.)

   The man's warm blue eyes widened. "My prince, this? But why would you need something like that?"

   "A boy that cannot speak," Yami murmured. "I wish to see his mind… or at least his heart…"

   "Oh?" Shadi raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?" A smile tugged at the corners of his lips at the prince's blush. "You are attracted to this boy, perhaps?" A soft chuckle escaped as Yami's blush deepened.

   The young prince mumbled something under his breath, and looked up beseechingly. "Can you do it, Master Shadi? Can you replicate the shape in pure gold? And most of all… can you replicate the magic that I have woven, that took me so many years?"

   "Yes…" Shadi nodded. "I will have it ready at this time tomorrow."

   Yami relaxed and smiled. He had feared that not even Shadi would be able to copy the magic of the Millennium Puzzle. He needed to connect to Yugi somehow, to feel what the boy was feeling. However, he feared the artisan's words, that he might be attracted to the beautiful child, fearing even more because a part of his mind hoped that it was true.

   Speaking of Yugi… The prince frowned. Where is he? The instrument stand was empty. Only the young woman with the azure eyes remained, watching her wares with an alien expression on her face.

   "Yugi?" Yami called anxiously. "Yugi! Yugi, where are you?" This was the closest he had come to panicking. The people should not, could not see the boy. If they touch him that way, if they hurt him… I can't forgive myself!

   "Is he the boy with the amethyst eyes?" The woman came out of the instrument stand. "The one that is dressed as you?" She smiled wryly. "It would do well for you to figure out his secrets." She turned away before Yami could speak and pointed. "He went that way."

   "Many thanks!" the ruby-eyed prince called, speeding off in that direction. Yugi just has to be alright…

   Coming to an intersection, Yami hesitated. Which way did the boy go? But he couldn't have gone far, could he?

   "YUGI!"

   A head lifted at the call, and teary amethyst eyes brightened in recognition. Yugi jumped to his feet at the sight of his prince. Yami had not seen him yet, and he wanted to call out.

   "Hey, watch it!"

   The boy spun towards the sound.

   "You, there! Get outta the road!"

   A cart was rushing at Yami.

   "Are you deaf?! Get outta my way! I have an important delivery!"

   The prince seemed not to hear. He was too busy searching for his young charge.

   'Yami-Chan!' Yugi stood frozen in horror. Yami was not looking his way. The cart was getting closer each second. Soon, it would collide…

   … Yami turned, and finally saw the boy, waving at him frantically. He smiled softly and started towards him.

   'Too slow…' The amethyst-eyed boy tensed. 'It'll hit him! What do I do?' He did the only thing he could do.

   The boy's small shape hurled out, knocking the prince aside as the cart struck. Yugi clenched his teeth against the pain, as tears squeezed out in rivulets from his tightly-shut eyes. His only consolation was that Yami was alright.

   "Yugi…" Warm arms surrounded him and he was lifted, pressed against a firm body. A gentle hand pushed aside his sweat-damped hair and tender lips rained kisses on his forehead. "Oh, Yugi, please be okay… Why? Why did you save me?"

   'Because I love you…' The words were not spoken. He wondered if he would have been brave enough to say them even if he could.

   Yami stood, eyes blazing. The cart had stopped, and its driver came out, cursing angrily. The two faced off.

   "You harmed my servant," Yami remarked coldly. "You will apologize to him right now. If he is injured, I will have your head."

   The man snorted. "I am the one who will have your head – yours and your servant's. For your information, I was brining these to the castle. I expect you to pay full price for my destroyed wares and give a formal apology to His Majesty."

   The ruby-eyed teen glared and pulled Yugi closer to him, gently nuzzling him. "If he is hurt—"

   "Is he your pleasure slave or something?" the man demanded. "And who do you think you are, to speak to me like this?!"

   "I think I am a human," Yami hissed. "But who I actually am is the prince of this kingdom."

   The declaration rang out. All activity stopped. The young prince pushed back his hood to reveal his tell-tale hair and walked away, holding his young look-alike protectively.

   Yugi sighed once they were away from the mass of people and put his arms around the older teen, burying his head in his chest. He loved the feel of Yami's lithe muscles, his spicy scent, his comforting warmth.

   "Are you hurt? I'm sorry. It was my fault."

   The boy shook his head. He was sore all over, but he was not about to make his beloved prince worry.

   Yami hugged the boy close, already reluctant to let him go. What is this that I'm feeling? He is so beautiful, so kind, so sweet… He longed to touch the boy's body, but knew that he should not.

   "Ah… Here we are…"

   (A/N: Alrighty, time to make it shiny again! Shiny shiny SHINY!!! Yugi: -_-; Too much Gravitation… Ari: *smirks* You can never have too much Gravitation. ^^ *sings* Shiny shiny shiny… SHINY!!)

   Yugi did not need to look to know where they were. He could already feel the soft breezes that carried a touch of moisture teasing his hair, reaching for him, trying to take back their treasure. The familiar scents assailed him – the fish and the salt, carried by the refreshing coolness that welcomed him. 'The Sea…"

   "My father rarely allowed me to come here before," the prince murmured softly. "He said that it was too dangerous. He would only let me come on special occasions with my 'servants'. It was mostly because of the war with the mer-people… He expected the mermaids to 'seduce' me. He had instructed me to give one of them as sacrifice." He snorted. "As if I would do that! I don't pick servants lightly. The ones I have are friends that I love beyond life."

   'Am I one?' Yugi asked silently. 'Do you love me, Yami-Chan? I have seen how you were willing to give your life for them. Would you do the same for me? I know I would… for you…'

   "I am glad I was allowed here this morning…" Yami continued. "Or I might never have found you." He smiled softly. "Yes, I consider you to be one of my cherished friends. I hope it means something to you…"

   The boy sighed happily. 'It means the world to me…'

   Carefully, the prince sat down in a cushion of soft, golden sand, setting the amethyst-eyed boy gently on his lap. "You're hurt. I know you are, even if you pretend not to be. I… I had a feeling that you would like the sea… I hope you would feel better here."

   Yugi nodded, smiling brightly. Indeed, the familiar feelings were easing his pain, healing his body and mind. He sighed softly and leaned back into Yami, closing his eye and just resting in a place where he knew he would be safe.

   He did not know how long he slept, basking in soft, buttery-gold sunlight, his head resting on the prince's warm, firm chest. All he knew was that he did not want to move from that position ever again.

   "Sunset…" the older teen whispered. "We can watch it together. Then, we should probably go back and get some food."

   The boy's stomach growled in reply, and he blushed while the prince laughed.

   "It will be time soon," Yami murmured comfortingly. "I would like to share this time with you… To watch the ending of a day…"

   Mixed in the sweet sense of love was the bitter poison of death. One day spent with Yami… One day less to live…

   Still, Yugi could not help but enjoy the beauty of nature, as soft magenta shade was cast over the light blue sky, twirling and melting into a lavender vortex. Slowly, the golden light reddened, as if someone poured droplets of blood into a river of light, darkening and ebbing into night. As the sun struggled to keep its place above the choppy azure horizon of waves, the pale moon slowly rose to take its place, its light soft and ghostly. In the deepest reaches of the eastern sky, stars peeked out of their homes, dotting the velvety dark sky with twinkling diamonds. Two teens watched in silent appreciation.

   "People say that if you find the brightest star and make a wish, it would come true…"

   'Really? Then I wish that you would love me, Yami-Chan…"

   The trek back to the castle seemed all-too-short to Yugi. He wished, more than once, that he could just freeze time and stay in Yami's arms forever. But he could not. Soon, they were back amongst people, and the two reluctantly let go of each other.

   "Bring food for my new servant and myself up to my room," the prince ordered briskly. "We are not to be bothered."

   He heard a snicker, but chose to dismiss it. The rumors would be spreading already about the purposes of his new, extremely beautiful servant. For once, he did not mind. Perhaps if they thought that Yugi was his, they would stop bothering the poor boy. Of course, he did not admit that he might like to be in the implied relationship with Yugi…

   The boy giggled. 'Yami made it sound like if we…'

   (A/N: Gack, I've gotta end this chappy soon…)

   Dinner passed without mishap, with the two staring at each other, and looking away, blushing, as one caught the other's gaze. After the plates were taken by a servant, Yugi promptly yawned, signaling the time for bed.

   "You can, uh, sleep with me if you would like," the prince stammered, blushing. "Not that you have to! Just, well, I… Er, you looked comfortable when we were together on the beach…"

   The boy hugged him tightly in response. 'Mmmmmmmm… nothing better…'

   Yami smiled softly, wistfully. I wouldn't do anything to you, I promise. But how will I be able to keep my hands off of you?

   Yugi pulled away briefly to tug at the many buckles that kept his clothes on. As the prince reached to help him, their hands touched, sending sparks of heat through both boys.

   How indeed… the prince groaned. How can I stay away when even a touch sends fire through my veins?