RESPONSES
ShebyTheDogDemoness
Toli: (waves hand dismissively) Don't worry about it, Sheby. I figured you'd be okay.
Mena: O.O THE SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE?!?! I DON'T THINK I'M READY! TOLI!! I GOTTA GO PRAY!! (dashes off like a racehorse)
Toli: (stares after her) O.O Um...thanks for reviewing!
dontmesswithYami
Mena: Thanks for the compliment!
Toli: And the luck! Managing four stories (and not forgetting three and a half of them exist) is tough work. But it's easier since there's two of us, and since our little sister Mani comes to us every day and says "Have you updated (fill in the blank) yet? Do you need to? Do you want someone to come and kill us or something?!" She's so sweet sometimes, but sometimes so annoying! Hmm. Like you, Mena.
Mena: Hey!
Masami, Mistress Of Fire
Mena: O.O (gasps dramatically) Damie-chan! (drops to her knees and hugs Damion, sobbing) Are you all right? Did I hurt you? Oh, I'm so sorry, Damie-chan! My kind of love is dangerous!
Toli: O.O No way! She just admitted she loves Damion! (cackles) Too priceless! I'll remember this! Anyway, yo, Masami! Yep, I can bomb your school. I have plenty of missiles lying around the house uselessly (in fact, I gave a few to a friend earlier). My little sister Mani likes to bat at them because they're so shiny. I'll see what I can do. And don't cry, Masami! Things will get better!...And then worse...and then better...and then--AAAH! I gotta stop doing that! Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
kristen89
Mena: (waves) Hey, Kristy!
Toli: You're like our best friend because your reviews are so nice! Writer's Block sucks majorly, doesn't it? Fortunately the block was blasted for this story--finally!--and we can get back to reviewing! Lucky you that we updated Slain, since you like that one too! Don't forget to review that one as well! Hope you enjoy the chappie!
SoulDreamer
Mena: Thanks so much for reviewing! Your support is loved! We hope you enjoy the new chappie!
Kit
Mena: YAY! NICE ATEMU! It's awesome! I mean, who likes a mean Atemu? Come on! We love him being all nice! (receives glomp with huge grin)
Toli: Thanks for telling us about Bakura's name. We appreciate the free info. But we're gonna stick with Bakura, just because of we change his name now, we're gonna mix up everybody, and we'll end up calling Atemu "Ishizu" and Mia "Jou" and you'll say "When did Dartz get here?" But like we said, thanks! And hope you enjoy!
Mena: Ha! My little preview must have done something!
Jesselda: Besides lengthen the chapter?
Mena: (indignant) Hey!
Toli: (interrupts) Glad to see you all!
Mena: Sister, how come you made these chappies so long when you're planning to have, like, 25 chaps in this story?
Toli: Because it makes my fingers hurt?
Jesselda: They don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. (sarcastic) And, of course, neither of them are famous for lying or anything...
FIVE: Acquaintance With A Thief
(three days later)
Things had been pretty uneventful at the palace. Mia and Yugi had assumed their new duties. Mia healed exceptionally well, thanks to Ishizu's medicine and her own healthiness. Even the scars from the whip on her arms were hard to see unless you were standing right behind her and looking for them. Being a naturally attractive woman who happened to like makeup, Mia soon attracted the attention of many of the guys around the palace. Even some of the male officials who came to visit noticed her. She managed to keep her natural rebellion under control, but sometimes she just wanted to pick up something heavy and throw it at the guys who were staring at her almost every second.
Yugi healed quickly as well. He had taken up his new job as Atemu's personal servant, which seemed to irk Seto. Yugi was still painfully shy and nervous around people and liked to hide behind Atemu. If Ishizu was there, he'd hide behind her instead. Once he had fallen asleep at a council meeting he'd had to attend with Atemu, and when Nafato had yelled at him to wake up, he had woken up suddenly and accidentally hit Atemu in the face with his head. Atemu let Ishizu come and get Yugi out of there so he wouldn't have to hear Atemu yell at the old man and use several popular swear words.
Besides all that, it had been pretty uneventful. Mia and Yugi had adjusted considerably well to their new lifestyle, especially considering how little time it had been.
But that was before the next day.
Atemu frowned at the piece of papyrus he was reading. It was a challenge to a Shadow Game from an official he really did not like. The last seven challenges Atemu had received were from this same man, who for some reason needed to feel superior to the Pharaoh.
"What's wrong?" Atemu looked up to see Yugi next to him, looking curiously at him. I must look kind of sour, Atemu thought with little amusement.
"It's nothing, Yugi," Atemu said. Nothing I can't handle, anyway. "Ready for bed?"
Yugi nodded.
"All right," Atemu said. "I don't think there's anything left for you to do."
Yugi didn't need any more encouragement. He was tired. He walked over to his bed, which was pushed up against the left wall, parallel to Atemu's giant bed. He climbed in and flopped down on his side.
Atemu smiled as he watched Yugi. Even though there was still such a long way to go, Atemu was happy Yugi had come so far already. There was still hope for him. And, even though he didn't know it, Ishizu was saying the same thing about Atemu: there's still hope for him.
Covering a yawn, Atemu put the challenge down and blew out the candle he was reading by. He changed into clothes for sleeping in and climbed into his own bed. He laid there, on his side, staring at the wall, waiting for sleep. Waiting...and waiting...and waiting some more. Maybe he wasn't as tired as he thought he was.
Then, suddenly, he found himself jerking awake. Had he actually fallen asleep? Apparently, and something had woken him up. Groggily, he sat up and rubbed an eye, looking around to find the one guilty of rousing him. It was dark, though, so he couldn't see anything except whatever lay in the dim rectangle of moonlight shining through the window.
Maybe it's just my own inability to sleep, Atemu decided. He grumbled to himself as he laid back down to try and go back to sleep, if he could.
Then, a sudden whimper made him shoot up in bed again. He looked around, confused. What was that? Nobody else was in here. Nobody...except--
Another whimper from the corner. Atemu rolled out of bed and got to his feet. He walked briskly to the corner, where Yugi's bed was. Tossing and turning in his bed, Yugi was whimpering audibly.
"Yugi?" Atemu sat down on Yugi's bed and tried to stop Yugi from thrashing around so much. But as soon as his hands touched Yugi's shoulders, the boy flinched away and tried to curl up into a ball. "I'm...s-sorry," he whispered. "I'm sorry, master. Please...please don't punish me!"
Oh no, Atemu thought in fear. He's having a nightmare. He tried again to stop Yugi from thrashing around. "Yugi, wake up! It's all right!"
Once again, Yugi pulled away from his hands. Tears streaming down his face sparkled in the moonlight. "I was only gone a minute, master. Please...I'm so sorry...I'll never do it again..."
I have to wake him up, Atemu thought in a panic. He grabbed Yugi's shoulders and turned the boy to face him. Yugi was crying hard, and he tried to pull himself out of Atemu's grip. Instead of relenting, Atemu pulled the younger boy into his lap. "Yugi, wake up. Please wake up."
Yugi placed his hands on Atemu's bare chest and tried to push him away. His eyes were still shut. Atemu refused to release him, feeling that he would never get through to the boy if they got farther away from each other. "Yugi, just open your eyes. It's only a dream. Open your eyes. Please."
Finally, Yugi stopped trying to push Atemu away and simply curled up again. He was shaking all over. His eyes opened suddenly, and they were filled with fear. He looked around wildly, as if expecting to see someone beside the Pharaoh.
"Yugi, it was only a dream," Atemu said. "You're safe here."
Yugi's eyes shifted back to Atemu's face. They were glistening with tears still waiting to fall. "A-Atemu?" he trembled.
Atemu nodded. "It's all right now," he said.
Yugi suddenly latched onto both of Atemu's arms and buried his face in the older boy's chest. "I thought...I thought I was still with my old master," he whimpered. "I had only gone to watch the sunset, and he was angry. He was going to punish me. I was trying to get him to have mercy on me, but...he wouldn't. And then...he grabbed me to try and take me away..." He dissolved into sobs.
Atemu tightened his hold on Yugi. "It's all right. He's gone, and he'll never be able to hurt you again," he swore.
Yugi was still shaking and crying. His grip on Atemu's arms tightened to the point where they might cut off the blood flow. "I'm scared," he whispered. "What of he isn't dead and he comes...to get me? He'll punish me because I left."
"He's gone forever, Yugi," Atemu said. "And even if he did come back, which he can't, he'd never be able to hurt you. He'd have to get through me."
They stayed there for a while. Finally, Yugi's sobs quieted and he stopped shaking. Atemu waited patiently until he heard the deep, even breaths that meant Yugi had fallen asleep again. Carefully, he laid Yugi back down and covered him up. One of Yugi's hands was still clutching Atemu's arm, and he carefully removed it and placed it down beside its owner. Yugi shifted and furrowed his eyebrows in his sleep. Atemu watched him until he turned on his side and continued sleeping.
Ishizu looked at the Pharaoh in amusement. He had his head down, hidden in his folded arms which were resting on the table. It was obvious he was asleep. Yugi was standing next to Atemu, staring off into space. He heard the door come open and turned abruptly, and then relaxed when he saw who it was.
"Miss Ishizu," he whispered, walking over to her. "I wasn't sure if I should wake him up." He looked down nervously. "I didn't want him to be angry..."
Ishizu felt a little bit of disappointment. He was still afraid of making people angry... "It is all right," she said. She extended her hand. "Come. You can watch me wake him up."
Yugi took her offered hand with little hesitation. They walked together over to the sleeping Pharaoh's side.
"Atemu," Ishizu said, shaking the young ruler's shoulder. "Atemu!" She raised her voice only slightly.
Atemu grunted. "I told you, Seto, I'm in charge," he grumbled.
Yugi watched Atemu in humorous confusion. Ishizu came close to rolling her eyes and shook his shoulder harder. "Atemu, wake up now. Wake up."
Atemu's head rose. "What time is it?" he grumbled, still half-asleep.
"It's still afternoon," Ishizu said. "You do not want to miss your council meeting, do you?" She wasn't smiling, but her eyes were sparkling with amusement.
Atemu groaned. "Oh, right, of course," he said sarcastically. His gaze fell on Yugi, who looked worried. "Is something the matter, Yugi?"
Yugi blinked and looked down at the floor for a second. "Oh, um...no, I don't think so, Atemu." He looked back up. "You looked angry, that's all."
"Don't worry," Atemu said. "I'm not. I can't get but so angry at Ishizu."
Yugi nodded, although he didn't look like he really believed the Pharaoh.
"Now, you had best be on your way, Atemu," Ishizu said.
"Oh. Right." Atemu stood up and stretched. "Ready to go, Yugi?"
Yugi nodded and followed him out the door. Ishizu watched them go, her face expressionless, but her eyes flashing with worry. I have a feeling that many unfortunate events may occur before the two of them can fully understand one another.
And, like always, she was right.
Tea was minding her own business when she slammed into someone. She caught herself before falling to the ground and reached out to help whoever she had run into.
It was Shizuka. Fortunately, she hadn't been carrying anything. "Oh, I'm sorry, Shizuka," Tea said, feeling even clumsier than usual. "Are you hurt?"
Shizuka refused to look up. "No, I'm okay," she said, keeping her head down and going past Tea.
"Wait!" Tea called. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yes, fine," Shizuka answered before running for the safety of the next corner. She leaned against the wall and breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Tea walk away. She was always nervous around people. She, like Yugi, had had a bad master before she was sold to the Pharaoh a year ago. To her delight, she discovered her brother Jou was here also, and he became her only friend. She was too scared of everyone else to let them near her.
Except for Yugi. He seemed to have been in the same predicament she had been in, except for he'd had his protector with him. She was curious about him and found herself wanting to see him again. He seemed like a safe enough person. But besides him and Jou, she was afraid of everyone. She always had her hair hidden under something because she had learned a long time ago that her unusual hair color made men stare at her all the time, and she didn't like being stared at. It made her fidget and stammer.
Suddenly, she heard steps coming towards her and she tensed. She kept her back against the wall as if she could sink into it and not be seen. She held her breath as the footsteps stopped right next to her.
"This is the Pharaoh's meeting room, is it not?" an unfamiliar voice asked her.
Shizuka was afraid of new people. She forced herself to look at the ground. "Y-Yes, sir, it is," she said bravely.
"Huh," the voice said. "I need to have a word with the Pharaoh."
"He's in a meeting. No one is allowed--to interrupt it," Shizuka said, stilltrying to be brave.
"Well, I can. You can watch me bust right through these doors."
"No!" Shizuka burst out without meaning to. Her head came up, and she saw the unfamiliar man. He had white hair and menacing brown eyes. He looked--and smelled--like he had just been outside. "You'll regret it," she said, surprised at herself for such daring. "Let me--let me just tell them you're coming," she added as she backed towards the double doors.
The man gave her an evil-looking smile. "You do that then, dear," he said. "All the better."
Yugi wished that he could go back to Atemu's room and go to sleep. This old man was boring him to death. He didn't dare ask Atemu for permission to leave, though; he wasn't sure if that was the best idea. So he simply suffered through it.
The ten heads of the people in the room--the nine falling asleep and the one putting them all to sleep--turned to the door in surprise when it opened. Shizuka's head peeked around it, and she looked positively terrified.
"I sincerely apologize for interrupting the meeting, Your Highness," she said, making what looked like a bow, "but there's someone out here who wishes to speak with you." Then she was gone so fast it was like she had disappeared.
Above Yugi, in his chair, Atemu grumbled as he sat up a little more. "Who the hell decided to get a prison sentence and wants to talk?" he said. He just wanted the meeting to be over with, no interruptions making it longer. His eyes widened when he saw who came sauntering through the door like he was the Pharaoh.
"Good afternoon, Pharaoh," the intruder said with a mock bow. "I trust you're still ruining people's lives as usual?"
Atemu stood up. "Bakura," he snarled. "How dare you show your face in my palace after what you've done?"
Seto stood up as well. Yugi was well hidden behind the both of their capes. He was a little afraid of the newcomer, but something seemed familiar about him. He watched from behind Atemu's and Seto's capes.
"Sorry if I interrupted anything," Bakura said, gesturing towards the stunned council members. "I just felt like coming to see you."
"You want something, thief. What is it?" Atemu snarled. Yugi shuddered at his venomous tone. If I ever made him angry, he would probably speak like that to me... he thought fearfully. It was bad enough having to hear him like that, but if that tone was ever directed at him...Yugi shivered at the thought.
Bakura sneered at the Pharaoh. "I can't pay you a visit anymore? Surely my appearance doesn't automatically mean there's something I desire."
"Don't play games with me," Atemu snapped. "You stole everything out of my father's tomb except for his body. I'm not in the mood to humor your sarcasm."
The jesting look slid off of Bakura's face. "You know me well, Pharaoh. It's all that I'm usually after--gold, jewels, valuable items. I am planning to raid the palace and thought you would appreciate a forewarning."
"Don't lie," Atemu said, glaring daggers at the white-haired thief. "You just want to try and pull it off, even with me knowing beforehand, and gloat about it afterwards. Well, let me assure you: you won't succeed."
"Pompous Pharaoh," Bakura sneered. "I knew you'd say something like that. It will delight me enormously to think of what your face looks like tomorrow morning." He turned towards the door. "And by the way, don't bother sending guards after me. I'll find my own way out." He left.
Atemu's clenched fist hit the table in front of him. "That thief is a damn pest," he growled. He half-glared at his council members, who shrank back in unison. "This meeting is over. Send orders that guards are to be posted at every entrance to the palace tonight. Let's go Seto, Yugi." He turned. "Yugi?"
Seto turned as well. "Wonder wherethe hell he ran off to," he said casually.
Bakura emerged into the sunlight. There was no one around. He walked over to his horse, which was waiting patiently. His mind was dancing with plans for invading the palace. He hadn't made specifics, but he planned to steal some of the Pharaoh's own jewelry. Not only would it be an exciting challenge, it would feel good. He stood next to his horse, preparing to mount.
"Bakura?"
Bakura felt a flash of irritation. Who dared use his name without his permission? He turned to find a boy who beared a strong resemblance to the Pharaoh, minus all the arrogance and glaring eyes. He was dressed in servant's attire. "What do you want?" he asked.
The boy blinked and then ducked his head, looking shy. "D-Do you remember, when I met you in Tameth's marketplace?" he asked, looking back up.
"What?" Bakura narrowed his eyes, and then a flash of familiarity crossed his mind. "Hmmm. Now that you mention it, I believe I do." A smug smirk crossed his face. "You're that little boy who was so enthralled with my profession, aren't you?"
The boy nodded. Bakura studied him. Now that he remembered, it was strange how much happier the boy had looked back then. "So, you've been drafted into the Pharaoh's service, I see."
The boy nodded again. "I didn't really have a choice," he said. "I was a slave to the leader of a band of raiders. Their caravan was on the way to the palace when it burned down, and Mia and I were the only survivors. We were brought to the palace and enlisted as servants."
"Who's Mia?" Bakura wanted to know.
Yugi looked down. "My friend."
Bakura grunted. "Sounds like your life has taken a down turn since the last time we met. What happened to your family?"
"They--they were killed," the boy said in a voice barely above a whisper. He tried to control his trembling and his tears.
Bakura watched him. Even though he was a refined, merciless thief, he couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for the boy. "Hey," he said in a softer voice, "you shouldn't stay here."
"Where can I go?" the boy said. "I don't even really know where I am now, and besides--" his voice dropped to a whisper "--I don't want to make the Pharaoh angry."
Bakura knelt down so he could look the boy in the eye. "Tell me, what's your name?" he asked.
"Yugi."
"Well, Yugi, I have a proposition for you, and trust me, I don't make many of those. Why don't you come with me?" Yugi's head snapped up to stare at him. "Maybe I am an outlaw, but besides that, my life is fine, and I've never been caught. You ought to consider it."
Yugi looked a little afraid. "Well...I don't know..."
"Yugi!"
Yugi visibly flinched. Bakura stood up and saw the Pharaoh stalking towards them. A sneer appeared. "Come to see me off, Pharaoh?" He swung up on his horse and looked down at Yugi, who was watching him. "My offer still stands," he said before turning and riding off at a rather breakneck speed.
Funny, Bakura thought as he rode off, I've seriously injured I don't know how many people in the span of my career, and their pleas never even fazed me. Why do I even give a damn about that boy? He smiled slightly to himself. Maybe because we first met on such terms. After all, being adored is something everyone wants.
Yugi watched him go and listened to Atemu's footsteps coming up behind him. Slowly, almost dreadfully, he turned.
Atemu was behind him, and Seto and Ishizu were on their way over. Atemu looked angry, and Yugi couldn't help but flinch again.
"Why was he talking to you?" Atemu demanded in a sharp tone.
Yugi looked down. He didn't know what to say. Atemu would probably be even angrier if he knew they were acquaintances.
"What offer did he make to you?" Atemu went on. Yugi was afraid to answer that, too.
"Yugi!" Yugi felt hands seize his shoulders and had the vague impression of being shaken gently. "Answer me!"
Tears filled Yugi's eyes as he started to tremble under Atemu's hands.
"Atemu!" Ishizu barked, her voice cutting through the tension. Yugi looked up and saw her glaring at Atemu. Seto, right behind her, looked sour. On impulse, Yugi freed himself from the Pharaoh's grip and ran to hide behind Ishizu. He buried his face in the side of her skirt.
There was a small silence. Then the Pharaoh spoke. "Ishizu, I--"
"We'll talk about this later, my Pharaoh," Ishizu said in a clipped tone.(NFT: Remember, she only uses his title when she's mad at him) She wrapped an arm around Yugi's shoulders and guided him back to the palace. "Come, Yugi, let's go back to the recovery room."
"Hey, ladies," Hiroto said with a suggestive grin.
There were giggles from the small group of female servants passing by him with piles of folded clothes in their arms. "Hi, Hiroto," most of them said back with eye bats or little finger waves.
Jou rolled his eyes. "What is it with you and flirtin', huh?"
"I can't help it," Hiroto said. "The girls adore me. I have to meet their expectations." His grin grew bigger. "Actually, I've had my eye on that new servant girl. She's really good looking, wouldn't you say?"
Jou tried to hide his blush. "Yeah, she's all right," he agreed, looking over at the group of girls. Mia was with them, talking to Tea. She's more than all right. She's really pretty, and she seems so smart and so tough...even though she hit me, that makes her seem even better. That Yugi kid is real lucky, whether he knows it or not.
Hiroto eyed his younger charge. "Jou, you got a thing for Mia?" he asked.
"What?! No!" Jou exclaimed angrily, though his face got redder. " 'Course not! That's ridiculous!"
Hiroto held up his hand. "Hey, just asking," he said with a knowing smile. "No need to get all offensive, man."
"Whatever." Jou stared after the girls. He couldn't help it; Mia was pretty even from the back. He was surprised when she took a look over her shoulder and saw him ogling her. With a sly grin, she flipped her curling blond hair over her shoulder and gave him a wink. She nearly melted him into a puddle. The girls walking with her giggled when they saw her stunt and Jou's reaction.
Hiroto was laughing. "Man, you are so transparent," he said teasingly.
Jou glared at him.
Seto paced. In front of him, Atemu sat on his bed and watched him with an unreadable expression. After a while, Seto sighed and plopped himself on the bed facing his cousin. "Atemu, see, this is why I thought having him around was a bad idea. You've got to talk softly. You can't make sudden movements. You can't touch him. You can't raise your voice. He's too much damn maintenance for a servant!"
"What do you want me to do with him," Atemu asked in a quiet voice. "Sell him to someone so he can be beaten mercilessly again? And so he can be separated from his only friend?"
"Give him a job that keeps him away from you," Seto stated. "This isn't something you need to be dealing with. You're going to have a Shadow Duel in a few days, not to mention the looming threat of that thief Bakura, and you still have our regular duties. The last thing you need to worry about is him."
"Well, it's a little late for that!" Atemu snapped, his eyes flashing. "I've already gotten into this, and I don't plan to back out."
"You aren't ready for this kind of commitment," Seto insisted, "and you probably never will be. Just think about what happened today. It's easy for you to lose your temper like you did. Yugi had information you wanted, and you wanted to hear it. As a result, he got all emotional again. There's no way you can do this. Damn it, Atemu, I'm telling you, just--"
"Don't tell me what to do!!"
Seto blinked. He hadn't been expecting that. Atemu glared at him, breathing hard. "Just," he said, taking a calming breath, "get out. Now."
Seto glared back. "Fine," he spat. He stormed from the room.
Atemu watched him go. He crossed his arms. He was feeling guilty enough for how he had treated Yugi; he didn't need Seto rubbing it in. He glanced over at Yugi's empty bed. Maybe...maybe Seto is right, he thought. Maybe I'm not ready for something like this.
END CHAPTER
Atemu/Yami
Hiroto/Honda/Tristan Taylor
Jou/Jounouchi/Joey Wheeler
Mia/Mai Valentine
Bakura/the yami
Mena: Wow. Writer's Block really has an effect, doesn't it?
Toli: (coughs) I guess so. I'llhave tomake to make next chapter extra-long.
Jesselda: Don't go making those kinds of promises. You don't know if you can keep them.
Toli: (nods) You're right. We'll have to do what we can. Are you going to give another preview, Mena?
Mena: (nods happily) Yup. So, coming up! A shocking discovery is made about Mia...Atemu tries to win Yugi back over...and something awful happens in the palace! You don't wanna miss it, trust me!
Jesselda: Hikari, why are you so cheerful?
Mena: I dunno. I just am! See you next time!
