Chapter 13

Snow crunched under his feet and the boy paused slightly. Looking ahead he saw no one. Good, no one had heard. He continued on but even slower, the last thing he wanted was for the snow to give him away. He crept between the trees keeping an eye on the person who was just appearing ahead of him. Getting low he struggled to move through the thick snow, but he had to try. There was no way he would let that person realise that he was there. Closer and closer he crept. Despite his best efforts the snow continued to crunch noisily under his feet. He had to throw himself behind the nearest tree, as the person ahead seemed to catch onto the crunching sound. He pressed himself into the tree hoping that he'd not been spotted. A couple of long moments past before the person ahead seem to dismiss what he'd heard, which meant the other could continue creeping between the trees. Closer and closer he got until he settled himself behind a tree which was as close as he dared. Slowly and as quietly as he could he reached down and scooped up a hand full of snow, scrunching it into a ball. Leaning out from behind the tree he found the person straight ahead of him. Perfect. He moved as silently as he could before lining up his shot. Once in range Yugi threw the snowball as hard as he could. The snowball connected with the back of the former Pharaoh's head in the precise spot he'd wanted it to. As Atem turned round to see where the offending snowball had come from another came flying and he didn't react quick enough. Snow plastered itself all over his face and staggering backwards he attempted to wipe it off but more snow came flying.

"Alright Alright Yugi." He called, spitting snow out of his mouth, "You've made your point."

"Good." Yugi called back emerging from behind a tree, "Have you learnt your lesson?"

Atem gave him a sour look, "Yes Yugi, I surrender to you, Master of Snow."

Approaching him Yugi folded his arms, "Master I am. Let us not have this discussion again."

He shot the Pharaoh a smug look, who responded by simply rolling his eyes and walking away. Throwing him a smirk Yugi hurried to catch up with him, although his efforts were hampered slightly by the snow. They made their way away from the tree line and back into the open field. Ahead of them they could see three people waving in their direction. Stumbling as he went Yugi finally managed to fall into step next to Atem.

"Incredible right?" Yugi asked, glancing around.

Atem made a questioning sound, not quite sure what Yugi meant.

"The snow? I mean you've never seen snow before, what do you think?"

Atem stopped and shrugged at him, "I'll let you know when I actually see it."

Yugi stopped too, looking at him, his eyes clouded in confusion. He studied the serious expression on the former Pharaoh's face.

"But you're here now?"

Atem shook his head, "No I'm not."

"What do you mean? You're here? I don't –"

Atem smiled sadly, "Wake up Yugi."

For a moment he just stared at the former Pharaoh. He didn't understand, what did he mean? Atem was standing right him front of him. Why would he say he wasn't there when he was? He made to say something, but Atem got there first.

"You must wake up Yugi."

"No Pharaoh, what –"

"Wake up Yugi!"

Yugi's eyes flew open. He was slumped over the kitchen table, a map of Domino was underneath him along with a coffee mug which contents had long gone cold. Looking to his right he found Grandpa had been shaking his shoulder in an attempt to rouse him. The morning sun light was sneaking its way into the kitchen from the window and the birds outside seemed to be in a quite jolly mood. As his mind caught up with his surroundings Yugi sighed and placed his head in his hands. He wasn't outside in the snow with his closest friend, that had been a dream. Even the snow was a dream. His reality was sitting at the kitchen table searching the map of Domino City for anything that might tell him where his friend was being held. The former Pharaoh had been missing for three days now. They still had no idea where he could be and the only lead they'd had was that note he'd received on the first night but that didn't give them anything to go on. There was a moment of silence as Yugi continued to stare blankly at the table and his grandfather moved to the window.

"I had such a vivid dream Gramps." Yugi said finally.

Grandpa made a noise of agreement, "You were certainly in a deep sleep."

"I dreamt it was snowing. I was out in the snow with Atem… everything was… normal."

"It will be normal again." Grandpa said, turning to face him, "Once we find him everything will go back to normal."

"It's been three days Grandpa, we still have no idea where he might be or if he's even alright."

Grandpa regarded him for a moment, a sympathetic but also sad smile on his face.

"I hope he's alright as well Yugi but we will find him, it's only a matter of time."

His grandson didn't look so convinced for a moment, but then he looked up and met his gaze. He shared a small smile.

"You know what Atem would say here," Yugi said, he was still smiling, "He'd tell us to have faith."

Grandpa nodded, "That he would, and it is what we shall do. Whoever's holding him will make a mistake, they're using him to get to you so sooner or later they will try to get whatever they want from you. If I had to guess at the moment they are taunting you with this silence and not knowing if Atem is alright."

Yugi nodded slowly, that certainly sounded like a logical thing to do. But that didn't make it any better, Atem was still missing and they'd searched every part of Domino they could think of but still come up with nothing. They didn't even know what the people who took Atem looked like so it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Letting out a sigh he rose from the table, intent on at least having a shower before resuming his search. He gave his grandfather an almost smile before leaving the kitchen and heading to the bathroom. He was halfway up the stairs when he felt his phone in his pocket ring. Thinking it was Joey, ringing for the plan of attack for the day, he answered straight away but was surprised to hear someone else's voice at the end of the phone.

"My brother needs to see you." It was Mokuba, "He asks that you come to KaibaCorp right now."

Yugi continued up the stairs, holding the phone to his ear, "Mokuba I can't at the moment."

"Yugi, you signed up to take part in the tournament but also to be in the promotional content. The semi-finals are only a couple of days away and you've missed two events you were due to be at as King of Games."

Yugi pinched the bridge of his nose, "Look I understand Mokuba but right now the tournament is the last thing on my mind."

He heard Mokuba sigh at the other end of the phone, "This isn't a request Yugi. My brother is expecting you, you're in breach of the contract you made with him. Please just come to KaibaCorp and sort this out."

Yugi let out a groan of frustration, "Fine, I'll come but I don't have long."

Mokuba agreed before the line disconnected. Returning his phone to his pocket he rubbed his face before resuming his journey to the shower. As the water warmed up he braced himself against the sink. Of course Kaiba would be all over him for missing tournament duties, this tournament was the biggest event of this years calendar and he wouldn't like something as trivial as Atem's disappearance getting in the way of that. But then in fairness Kaiba didn't know what had happened, and once he did know maybe he would be more willing to forgive Yugi for missing events. Reaching into the shower he found the water had warmed up nicely. He took what was probably the quickest shower he'd ever had before getting into fresh, warm clothes and heading back downstairs. He found his grandfather was still in the kitchen. He was looking over the map of Domino. Yugi was quick to tell him where he was going before heading out but as he crossed back into the living room his eyes fell upon the note he'd received. It was lying on the table where he'd put it the night it had arrived. No one had moved it. Yugi considered it for a moment before picking it up and putting it in his pocket. Jumping down the stairs into the Game Shop he left, he didn't want to waste any more time then was necessary, the sooner that Kaiba was dealt with the sooner he could get back to finding Atem. As he walked people called to him, he tried his best to smile at them, but he kept walking, there was no time. Just as KaibaCorp came into view a voice called to him, turning he saw a boy a few years younger than him running over to him.

"Yugi! Yugi! I have something for you."

He tried his best to give this boy a welcoming smile but he was not sure it worked. The boy smiled broadly up at him, holding out an envelope.

"I was told to give this to you but on the condition I get your autograph!"

Yugi's heart skipped a beat, what did that mean?

"Who told you?" Yugi asked, maybe the boy knew something.

"I don't know," The boy replied, still holding out the envelope, "I didn't see his face, not that I could but he said that you'd know who he was and that you can only have it if you gave me your autograph! I'm a really big fan!"

Cold flooded through Yugi. Did this new envelope have anything to do with the other one? Pushing down the horrid feeling of dread he felt, he put a warm smile on his face and accepted the envelope.

"You're right, I do know." He said, brightly, "Now what would you like me to sign?"

The boy squealed in delight and held out a Duel Monster Card. It was another magician, similar to his Dark Magician but also not.

"This is my favourite card." The boy said, "One day I hope to win many battles with him, just like you do with your Dark Magician."

Yugi smiled, flipping the card over to sign, "I'm sure you will. I have no doubt your magician will serve you well just as my Dark Magician has and continues to."

Handing the card back Yugi smiled again as the boy thanked him profusely and ran off calling to his friends. He watched him go for a moment before continuing to KaibaCorp, staring down at the new envelope. It was as though he was holding something evil, his hand shook as he held it. What would this tell him? Maybe it was the location of where to find Atem or something which would at least help him. Stopping at the steps to KaibaCorp he opened the envelope. A note was inside. He pulled it out, his hands were still shaking.

'Tick Tock, King of Games.'

He stared at those words. He could guess what that meant, time was running out but just what would happen when time did run out, he did not know. His eyes fell on the top corner of the note where there was something stained onto the paper. His stomach dropped. Blood. Blood was staining the paper. Yugi hands shook even worse than they had done before, Atem wasn't ok. There was no way this could be anyone else's blood but his. Why would it be? The people holding him were trying to get to him and what better way then to taunt him now by showing him that his closest friend was not alright. Maybe this is what they meant. They were warning him that unless he did whatever it was they wanted that Atem would… well, something even worse would happen to him.

Approaching footsteps made him tear his eyes away from the note. Mokuba was heading down the steps towards him.

"Hi Yugi," Mokuba said, "Come on you better come with me."

Yugi nodded, stuffing the note into his pocket. It occurred to him that Mokuba was speaking very calmly to him, as if he did not want to startle him. As he began to follow the smaller boy his suspicions were confirmed.

"Are you alright Yugi? You look kind of pale."

Yugi nodded, he didn't feel like talking about what he'd just received. Not yet at least. He didn't speak as Mokuba led him into KaibaCorp and into a waiting lift which zoomed upwards. Mokuba thought about trying to speak a few times but it appeared Yugi was just not in the mood. There was a small ding as the lift reached the top floor of KaibaCorp and Yugi followed the younger Kaiba out and towards the office. Stopping outside a great oak door Mokuba turned to Yugi.

"Seto is waiting for you in there."

Mokuba moved away but Yugi looked after him.

"You're not coming in as well?" He asked, he'd been hoping that Kaiba wouldn't get as mad if his younger brother was in the room.

Mokuba shook his head, "I've heard the lecture he's about to give you too many times, you're on your own."

Without waiting for a response he walked away leaving Yugi to steel himself. Raising a hand he knocked, there was a bark from the inside which Yugi took to mean enter. Pushing the door open he stepped inside. Kaiba's office was always intimidating. Perhaps that was because of the dark oak wood he liked to use for his furnishing or how the shelfs seemed to tower over everyone. Or maybe it was the way he sat behind his desk and glared at people as they entered. That was certainly what he was doing as Yugi entered. His fingers were interlocked as he watched the King of Games enter his office.

"Well well well, here he is. The King of Games. I must say I would have thought you'd be more responsible with the role." Kaiba said, his eyes fixed on Yugi, "It seems since there's just been you filling this roll you've got lazy on keeping your commitments Yugi. When you and the Pharaoh were…. well however that worked, you were at least on time to commitments."

"Kaiba –"

"Save it. I don't want to hear it. You've made a mess of my tournament by not showing up. The semi-finals can't even be announced because I can't get you or Wheeler to show up."

"Kaiba listen –"

"I said save it." Kaiba was almost shouting, "What possible excuse could there be for you skipping out on your commitments to the tournament? What could possibly be more important than my tournament? If this was something you truly were committed to, you'd never waste my time or anyone's. How stupid does it make me look, not only a competitor in the tournament but as its organiser? I should strip you of that title right here and now then you'd –"

"Kaiba! Atem is missing!" Yugi roared.

There was silence for a moment. Both rivals looking at each other. Yugi was glaring at Kaiba and Kaiba was glaring right back. But as the silence stretched Kaiba's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean he's missing? Where did he go?"

"Do you think I'd say he's missing if I knew that?" Yugi retorted.

Silence fell again as both duellists tried to calm themselves down. Yugi pinched his nose, getting angry wouldn't help anything. He just needed Kaiba to understand.

"He went missing during Joey's last duel, he went off somewhere and never came back. Then I receive a note telling me to choose between him and being King of Games." He explained, walking past Kaiba to the window overlooking Domino, "We've been looking for him day and night for the last three days but can't find anything. Then on my way here I receive another note telling me time is running out."

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the blood-stained note and held it out to Kaiba, who took it.

"Now do you understand. I can't just leave Atem in the hands of people who are trying to get to me. You know how this feels, this has happened to you and Mokuba."

He looked round at Kaiba to see a vein pop in his temple, that had hit a sore spot but surely it would help him to understand. Kaiba gazed at the note for a moment before handing it back to Yugi. He was still visibly angry.

"Did you not read the contract you signed with me?"

Yugi let out an exasperated breath, "Is that all you care about? Your tournament? I'm sorry I ruined your precious plans, but this is more important. I will not leave my friend in the hands of these people because of a tournament."

"Did you not read the contract?" Kaiba asked again, he was still angry his voice shook slightly.

"I read it but there were parts I didn't understand." Yugi replied, "In case you haven't noticed I'm not a lawyer I couldn't understand the legal speak."

"So, you didn't read the part where, by signing the contract with me, my company took responsibility of not only your protection but your family's."

Yugi just stared at Kaiba, not knowing what he was talking about. His mind travelled back to that night where he'd been reading the contract, he'd got annoyed at the legal speak and Atem had warned him that if he didn't read it all he could miss something. Well, here it was. He looked at Kaiba, who had taken a breath to calm himself.

"I knew, when organising this tournament that there were people out there who didn't like you." Kaiba said, slowly, "I picked up on chatter about taking that title of yours away, not by playing fair but by force. I fully understood what that could mean. As you said this happened with Mokuba, that's why I put it in that contract that my company would become responsible for you and your family's protection during tournament. Had you read it you would have known that, then when that first note arrived you could have told me, and it wouldn't have gone this far. My people would have found the Pharaoh that night."

Yugi just stared at Kaiba not knowing what to say. This was all his fault, Atem had been right, he should have read the contract fully. Kaiba glared at him for a moment before shaking his head and turning back to his computer.

"What's done is done." He said, "Let's waste no more time. Show me the notes and we'll find him."

Indicating to Yugi to sit on the chair in front of the desk he got to work, this was going to take some time to work out.

To my friend, I am sorry to hear you've not been well. I hope this chapter brings you some distraction and when you're up for it I'll continue to deny you story spoilers!