Disclaimer: I don't own Yuugioh.

Under Pressure

The End and the Beginning

Atemu lay on his bed, humming to himself softly, running the sheets and blankets through his thin fingers. The smooth silks and soft cotton felt so comforting, he pressed them to his face, the smell of the lavender soap used to wash them filling his nose. How he had missed feeling the world around him, smelling the scents, tasting the foods. No, when he had been in the Puzzle, he hadn't needed to eat, nor did he have the ability to touch or smell unless he controlled Yuugi's body, which he didn't do unless he was needed. But now he was in his own body. And how wonderful it felt! Atemu turned onto his side, his bare shoulder touching the cool sheets, having neglected to put on a shirt after he had taken a shower and relaxed in his bedchamber. His baggy gray pajama bottoms shined, their beautiful silk reflecting the sunlight dully.

A cool breeze from his open window brushed his cheeks, the smells of food wafting in from outside. As Typhoon had ordered a huge festival was being set up at the foot of the palace, the villagers all pitching in to make food and put together games. Everyone was outside decorating so the palace was empty except for the kitchens that were bustling with action as the royal cooks and several local tavern cooks were trying to put together enough food for the whole village. Atemu's bedchamber was one of the highest rooms in the palace so the extravagant noise from the palace was muffled greatly. He sighed thankfully. He hated noise. Not to mention large crowds. But he knew he couldn't sit here by himself all day. He knew sooner or later Mahaado, Yuugi, or Joey would come running up to see why he hadn't joined the party yet.

He wondered vaguely why he preferred to be alone instead of outside in the crowd, but he didn't have to think hard. He wasn't a people person; it was as simple as that. Not to mention his Shadow powers made him a bit more irritable than usual. Atemu sat up and crossed his legs on his large, soft bed, and put his elbows on his knees. Across the room was a large mirror that reflected a thin, dark-skinned man with large eyes. Atemu noticed that was the most noticeable quality about his face. He examined himself and couldn't help feeling a hint of vanity creep into his head as he ran a finger along his muscles. Suddenly feeling stupid, Atemu frowned at himself. He ran a hand through his soft but unmanageable hair and thought that maybe he had better start getting ready.

Sliding off the bed, Atemu felt the icy cold marble against his bare feet. He slowly stepped over to his oak wardrobe and opened it, seeing his official Shadow Guardian garb. Everything was black, gray, a combination of black and gray, or a combination of black and white. Pulling out each hanger with a different outfit on it, Atemu wondered exactly how proper he was supposed to dress to the festival. Sighing slightly, he moved to the window and rested his head on the table beside it, looking out to see the celebration below. Easily he could spot Typhoon, in her best robes donning the royal colors, black and blue, arm in arm with Aura, who was wearing a delicate, frilly blue dress, in one arm and Dimys, who seemed to like her buckled, chained, and ripped black dress with her black boots, in the other. Mahaado and Mana could be seen chatting merrily in their best armor and robes; Proteus, Neptune, Triton, Calypso, and Leucothea walked around in their armor for the warriors and robes for Leucothea, joking and laughing loudly. Atemu decided that formal dress was expected of him.

But as he was deciding between which robes would draw the least attention to him, there was a soft tap at Atemu's door. He sighed, being able to spot Yuugi and Mahaado and concluded it was indeed Joey who had come to get him.

"Coming," said Atemu, searching for his undershirt and throwing it on quickly. But once he opened the door, there was not a loud explosion of "Hey, Atem!" he had come to expect. Slightly taken aback Atemu saw Mokuba standing in his doorway, beaming at him.

"Hi Mister Atemu," said Mokuba politely. "Are you going to come down to the party? Yuugi and Joey were looking for you." Mokuba looked up at Atemu and frowned, noticing his clothes. "You're not dressed…. You're not going?" Atemu shook his head sharply, suddenly feeling guilty at Mokuba's sadness, and patted the boy's head gently.

"No… no… I'm coming, I just…" Atemu's sentence trailed off, not knowing how to voice, "I just didn't want to go" gently to a child. Mokuba seemed to be pleased with Atemu's answer, whether it was finished or not, and smiled at Atemu pleasantly. Loud booming music started to float through the window and there was roar of cheer from the crowd. Mokuba laughed and went to the open window to watch the party below. After watching the boy for a few seconds, Atemu remembered why Mokuba had come to fetch him and quickly grabbed his gray and black robes and went in his bathroom to change.

Shutting the large door muffled the sounds of the celebration to a low hum and Atemu sighed in relief. He pulled off his casual clothes and slowly put on his robes. The light and smooth but durable fabric felt cool and clean against his skin. He paused and looked around the bathroom. Mostly marble, as most of the rest of the palace, it was clean and tidy, just the way he liked things. Three mirrors were attached to the wall in front of the sink, studded with diamonds. Atemu ran a slim finger along the silver tap of the sink and turned it on, a jet of pure, icy water spewing out. Reaching under and collecting a small portion of water, Atemu splashed himself in the face, hoping possibly this would help him wake up a bit more for the party. Looking up at himself in the mirror, he noticed his dripping face staring back at him. His face was sharp and severe, and, when Atemu looked hard enough, he could spot stress lines etched prematurely into his face.

Frowning, he lifted his hand and pinched the most noticeable line coming from the corner of his mouth and down to the side of his face. A frown line. Atemu dried his face and looked back at himself. Was it just him or did he look much older then he really was? Still frowning, still severe, Atemu shook his head and closed his fingers around the doorknob, feeling the cool metal against his palm.

Atemu opened the door to see Mokuba bobbing his head to a bouncing tune echoing throughout the palace. Hearing the door open, Mokuba snapped his head up and stood up. "Those are cool robes, Mister Atemu!" he said enthusiastically.

"Thank you Mokuba," said Atemu, his voice soft and smooth. Mokuba quickly opened the door to the hall and looked back at Atemu, grinning broadly as Atemu followed him down the hall. After a servant saw them exiting Atemu's chamber and sprinted down the stair to inform Typhoon, Mokuba began to chat into Atemu's ear enthusiastically. They moved down the stairs slowly, Mokuba filling Atemu in on everything that was happening at the celebration.

"They've got ice cream and cookies and shrimp cocktail!"

Atemu wrinkle his nose. "What a combination."

"And they got Joey in a dunking booth and they're throwing balls at the little button and trying to knock him in the water."

"That sounds entertaining."

"But not everybody is throwing the balls; they just run up and push the button and then run away. Mahaado said when you get down to the party, he and Tristan are going to put green dye in the water and then dunk him in the water and watch him turn green!"

"Sounds like Tristan and Mahaado."

"And Mana, Leucothea, Calypso, and Dimys are setting up a dance contest! They're even using some of the bands from our realm because Tea had some CDs in her purse to give to Yuugi to burn when we got pulled here!"

"Really? Any bands that you like?"

"I only know two of the bands that she has but I like them."

When the two reached the first floor, the tumultuous noise almost drove Atemu back up the stairs. People sprinting back and forth throughout the enormous hall, their voices and footsteps echoing loudly, with the music that Atemu recognized as once as one of the bands Yuugi and Tea listened to that he actually liked. Typhoon, Dimys, and Aura were waiting for him at the front doors.

"Lord Guardian Atemu, please, the ceremony is about to start," she said kindly, gesturing to Mana and Mahaado who were already outside walking onto a raised platform, waving to the crowd that was screaming and throwing flowers at their feet. Not used to too much attention, Mahaado clasped Mana's hand and let her walk in front of him. Mana lapped up the applause and praise, laughing openly as she frequently stopped to sign autographs.

"I don't suppose I have much of a choice?" asked Atemu unenthusiastically.

"Oh, Lord Atemu, I promise, you won't hate it as much as you think you will," said Typhoon, smiling as Aura looped her arm into Atemu's and Dimys grabbed his other one. Typhoon motioned behind for soldiers to clear a path through the people to the platform, but there was no need. As soon as Atemu passed through the doors, the crowd parted for Typhoon, Atemu, Aura, and Dimys. The villagers began to cheer wildly for Typhoon and Atemu, throwing confetti into the air, letting balloons loose, and tossing rose, tulip, and lily pedals in the path. Typhoon waved regally to her subjects as they passed the rowdy crowd. Mahaado watched from the stage as his best friend, squashed awkwardly between three females still managed to keep his dignity.

Typhoon steered the group up the stairs to the platform, where the rumbling crowd roar with joy. The Empress raised her arms widely, as if embracing her people, and smiled. "Dear citizens! We have gathered to celebrate the victory of our kingdom's greatest heroes!" She boomed over the noise of the crowd. She clicked her fingers and a small, nervous looking servant bustled on the stage, holding a large, and velvet bag. Typhoon grabbed the bag and shooed the boy off the stage, which he did gratefully.

"First, Dark Magician Mahaado, master of the magical arts!" She gestured toward Mahaado, who turned a delicate shade of pink but stepped forward. Smiling broadly, Typhoon pulled a dagger with a steel blade and an ivory hilt from the bag and handed it to Mahaado. He took it and examined it proudly before turning back to Atemu and Mana, who were grinning proudly at him. He showed them the dagger and they saw that the words Dark Magician were engraved into the ivory.

"Next, Dark Magician Girl Mana, swiftest of sorceresses!" Typhoon roared. She didn't have to wait for Mana to stride up the stage proudly and bow before the applauding crowd. Typhoon laughed and handed Mana a dagger as well, only this one had a crystal blade and a pink and blue hilt, much like the magician's staff when she had fought Aura. Amazed by the weapon's beauty, Mana ran her finger along the crystal, sighing proudly. She turned to Mahaado and Atemu, who both had a cheerful smile to greet her, and held it out for them to see. Mahaado pointed out the words Lady Dark Magician. Atemu smiled, knowing that this was the first time she had been called "Lady" and not "Girl" in her title. Mana swelled with pride.

"And finally!" Typhoon boomed, causing the crowd to fall silent, even from the applause and whoops that had filled the air for Mahaado and Mana. Typhoon winked at Atemu before calling, "The Shadow Guardian, Lord Atemu, purifier of darkness!" Dimys and Aura were the first to start the crowd in clapping and shouting. Atemu walked forward to receive his dagger, a pure black blade with a delicately crafted black steel hilt. Typhoon bowed at he neared and handed him the weapon. Atemu smiled kindly to the crowd as he took it and bowed deeply to them as Mana had. He turned sharply to Mana and Mahaado and showed them his dagger. They all found Shadow Guardian in the hilt and held up their trophies to the roaring crowd.

"Did any of you want to say something to the crowd?" asked Typhoon quietly. Mana, Atemu, and Mana looked at each other for a split second.

"No."

"No."

"No."

Typhoon laughed and ushered everyone off the stage. Yuugi, Mister Mutou, Tea, Joey, Tristan, and Mokuba were waiting for Atemu as he climbed down. Typhoon, Dimys, and Aura waved to everyone and then ran straight to Calypso who was organizing their dance contest. Dragging Mahaado and Tristan behind her, Mana sprinted off toward the face paint booth, where there just so happened to be a bottle of green dye. Solomon decided he was going to spend the rest of the day lounging at the buffet. Joey waved at Atemu proudly before returning to his dunking booth. Not to Atemu's surprise, Yuugi and Tea were holding hands. Yuugi patted Atemu's shoulder and Tea hugged Atemu before the two went off to the dance floor that Typhoon had set up, no doubt to see if Tea could win the contest. Mokuba decided that he was going to stay with Atemu for a little bit.

It didn't take long for Atemu and Mokuba to be separated but quite frequently run into someone he knew. He walked with Holly the Sprite for a while but she got distracted by silver haired Proteus and grew very red. Even little Imo came and wrapped herself around Atemu and thanked him before running off to the dance floor with Calypso and Dimys. And while he didn't like being touched, Atemu enjoyed the hugs from little children, elderly people, and mothers and pats on the back from men. He found himself being followed by young girls and turned a delicate shade of pink before turning to look for anyone he knew.

At some point he ran into Mahaado and Tristan with a jug of suspicious emerald liquid behind both of their backs. They greeted Atemu happily before running toward where Atemu had seen Joey's dunking booth. Trailing behind them was Mana, attempting to pull a camera out of her hat. Atemu moved through the crowd, the hems of his robes skimming the muddy grass silently. He sat on a bench away from the party, watching everyone have fun.

"Couldn't take it either, huh?" Atemu looked around to spot Kaiba with a bottle of iced tea in his hand, watching the villagers with a disgusted look in his eyes. Mokuba had told Atemu that Typhoon said that there was to be no alcohol at a party were there would be a large amount of young children. Atemu smiled wryly, noticing the ice tea in Kaiba's hand.

"Look at them," spat Kaiba. "Wasting their time acting like fools. They should be working not dancing around like idiots."

"Not everybody's world revolves around making money, Kaiba," said Atemu coolly. "They are happy and right now that's enough."

"Yeah, right now. But what about when bills roll around? Can they pay their bills on happiness?"

"No, I supposed not," said Atemu not looking at Kaiba. "But they manage don't they?"

"Probably from mooching off each other."

"I doubt they 'mooch' off each other Kaiba," said Atemu, fiddling with the chain of the Millennium Puzzle around his neck distractedly. "They work here too. I've seen it happen. But sometimes everyone needs to let their hair down."

"Well, whether they mooch off each other is beside the point. The problem is that they need to depend on someone else to pay their bills," snapped Kaiba, draining the last of his tea out of the plastic bottle and tossing it to the side. It landed in a patch of grass.

"Is that so wrong?" Atemu stood and walked past Kaiba and stooped, picking up the bottle and dropping it in a wastebasket. It made a clacking sound as it hit the already overflowing garbage. He turned and returned to the bench, ignoring Kaiba's irritated look.

"Neurotic," Kaiba muttered glaring at Atemu. "Anyway, you're not about to start preaching about the Heart of the Cards or about how friendship conquers all, are you?"

"No, I daresay you've heard those lengthy speeches enough. From me… from Tea… I'm surprised you didn't claw our eyes out. But perhaps you might need to depend on someone, just once," said Atemu, noticing Kaiba's repetitive glances at Leucothea from across the crowd. Her long frizzy hair was pulled into a poorly constructed bun that wiggled as she did, and she pushed her thick square glasses up her nose often.

"Don't be stupid," said Kaiba, turning back to Atemu. "I don't need anyone."

"So I've heard," commented Atemu dryly. He brushed nonexistent dirt off of his arm and stood abruptly. Without looking at Kaiba, he straightened his robes and said, "Talking to you is like pulling teeth. Painful but necessary."

"Don't get full of yourself. After we get back to our realm there'll be no more reasons for us to ever see each other ever again," said Kaiba, glaring at Atemu with contempt practically radiating off of him.

"Sounds like a plan," said Atemu coldly. "It's not as if I'll have time to try and talk to you when we get back. I'll have to put together a life there. One that doesn't include sharing a body with Yuugi. Well… it was lovely talking with you but... I think I'll just try and find someone a little less angry." Atemu turned to walk back into the crowd. Kaiba struggled with himself for a minute and then stood up.

"Hey Atem." Atemu turned around slowly as if wondering what to expect. "I could break into the system and add you in when we got back."

"What?" asked Atemu, raising an eyebrow.

"When we back, I can make a birth certificate, health records, report cards for school, a fake family, you know, really important factors in gaining a life," said Kaiba quickly, trying to get it out fast before he changed his mind.

"Why? What do you want?" said Atemu suspiciously.

"Nothing!" snapped Kaiba indignantly. "I just wanted to pay you back for saving Mokuba from the Sprites when we first got here."

"Yes, yes," said Atemu, waving his hand impatiently, "but what's in it for you?"

"Do you want my help or not?"

"I must admit, I could get Rebecca Hawkins to do the same thing without worrying about her trying to expose me if she got mad at me," said Atemu plainly, picking at a loose string on his robes, and examining Kaiba suspiciously. What was Kaiba up to? He had never volunteered to do anything this kind for him. Not even for Yuugi, and they were almost friends. But Atemu and Seto Kaiba had never seen eye to eye. So why was Kaiba trying to be so nice?

"That little brat?" said Kaiba, looking extremely annoyed. "And, let's face it, who would believe me if I said I knew a three thousand-year-old spirit that got his own body and joined society as a normal person? Maybe the National Inquirer, but that's it."

"I don't know, but I'd like to make sure I'm well hidden just in case there's any enemy-" Atemu paused thinking back to all the ridiculous reasons he had been persecuted for "-whose… mother I offended by taking a breath out and now they want to kill me. I think that's a reasonable desire, don't you?"

"No," said Kaiba rudely. "So not only are you neurotic, but you're paranoid too? What a winning combination." Kaiba sighed deeply, as if trying to gain patience. This was not something he was used to. When he said something was going to happen, it happened, no matter what it took. But now, standing in front of him, was the most unlikely roadblock he had ever encountered. Atemu did not trust Kaiba, which Kaiba could only associate with his being an important businessman, and Atemu was obviously the type to avoid businessmen and politicians. Atemu was more hardheaded, more stubborn, and obviously had a more deathly vicious temper he could let loose at any time. And it was only too obvious that Atemu did not like Kaiba. So, for the first time in years, Kaiba was not in control of the world around him.

"I assure you I could do it without leaving any trace I was there. I'd be in and out in a couple minutes, more than enough time to make you a tragic orphan whose parent died in the Peace Corps and who has health issues but makes perfect grades because you just want to proudly carry on your parents names." Kaiba added his own touch of fake sympathy on to the last words, and smiled coldly at the look on Atemu's face.

"Nice," commented Atemu sarcastically, staring up into the oddly colored sky, the light winds shuffling his robes to one side. What choice did he have? He couldn't very well start school, get work, get a house unless he had a history. "Just don't make my parents… mass murderers or something like that."

"Does that mean you're going to let me help you?" asked Kaiba, not being to help but put a touch of smugness in his voice.

"Yes," said Atemu stiffly, sounding very put out. "But I warn you: Anything goes wrong and I will make your life a living Hell."

"I don't doubt that at all that you are capable of that, Mister Mutou," said Kaiba carelessly, looking at his scuffed, dirty Armani shoes with annoyance. He'd have to get another pair when he got back home. He waited for Atemu to say something sarcastic, dry, or harsh. But there was nothing except the noise from the partygoers. When he glanced up to see if Atemu was still there, Kaiba saw Atemu staring at him unbelievingly.

"You're making my surname 'Mutou'?" said Atemu, his voice so low that Kaiba had to strain to hear it over the roaring noise from the celebration.

"Yes, I was going to make you Yuugi's… cousin or something like that. Why?"

Atemu shook his head sharply and closed his mouth. He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Kaiba, confused, wondering what he could have possibly said this time. As Atemu fought through the crowd for a second time, he thought. He was going to be Atemu… Mutou? Personally, he liked the way that sounded, but…. He was borrowing Yuugi's name again. Only this time it would be for the rest of both of their lives. But being part of Yuugi's family sounded very comforting to Atemu, who had grown up without his mother, and then had to watch his father waste away. Did he want to borrow Yuugi's name and have a family, or have his own name and be alone?

"Atem! Atem!"

Atemu peered over his shoulder to see Yuugi bounding toward him, the boy's arms loaded with sweets and desserts. On his way over to Atemu's side, Yuugi fell over twice, slipping in the mud, each time losing a bit more of his haul. Atemu shook his head slowly as Yuugi reached him, dripping with mud but smiling happily.

"You're really hopeless, you know that?" said Atemu, grinning slightly to show he was joking. Yuugi nodded as Atemu turned, gesturing for the boy to follow and started to walk through the crowd. "I thought you were going to watch Tea win the dance contest."

"I was, but then Aura and Calypso tried to get me to dance too, Tea gave me official permission to hightail it out of there," said Yuugi cheerfully. "What were you talking with Kaiba about?" asked Yuugi, trying to brush the mud off of him but only smearing it around. Atemu watched him for a little bit before sighing sympathetically then waving his hand around and conjuring a few Shadows and sending them toward Yuugi, watching them pick the dirt of off Yuugi and then vanishing again. "That was cool," said Yuugi, "you can used those Shadows for daily stuff?"

"Yes, but I won't," said Atemu, watching Yuugi's face fall. Obviously the violet-eyed boy was hoping to see more Shadow magic. Atemu sighed, "Well… maybe, if I'm tired." Yuugi smiled at Atemu, knowing the crimson-eyed man was only humoring him, but at least there was a chance he would get to see more Shadow magic. Atemu continued. "And Kaiba was simply volunteering to add my name back into the world. You know, a birth certificate, that sort of thing."

"Oh really?" asked Yuugi, sounding very excited. "Do you think Kaiba could make us relatives or something? Because that would be awesome, don't you think?"

"I suppose so," said Atemu, quite taken aback. He had expected Yuugi to want Atemu as far as possible after all of the trouble he had brought but no. Yuugi actually want him to be part of the Mutou family. They continued ahead, moving out of the way as Mahaado and Tristan sprinted through the crowd, laughing heartily as Joey chased them angrily, looking like some sort of demented Water Sprite. His hair, skin and bathing suit were bright green as he shouted angrily at Tristan and Mahaado, Mana right behind him, clicking her camera giggling wildly. He stopped in front of Yuugi and Atemu, positively fuming.

"Atemu, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to kill Mahaado!"

"I find that very unlikely Joseph, but in the case that the murder does occur, hide the body well. If you don't you know what will happen. There'll be police, gift cards… a huge ordeal and you don't need that," said Atemu, his face straight and blank as Yuugi chuckled up at his side. Joey narrowed his eyes at Atemu, but Atemu only smiled and pointed toward Mahaado and Tristan, who had been held up when Tristan had fallen head first into a puddle of mud. "They're getting away, Joseph. You'd better hurry."

"Why do you call me Joseph?"

"Because that is the name that your mother bestowed upon you, obviously wanting people to call you by that name," said Atemu. "That… and it annoys you."

"Atemu, you are completely crazy," said Joey. He smirked and then said, "Kettle, this pot just called you black." Atemu smiled.

"You know, Joseph, I really don't encourage you to ask Typhoon to borrow a water hose, and I don't encourage you to ask her for some blue dye, and I don't encourage you to come back to me so I can accidentally spray them with water that has blue dye in it and accidentally turn them blue," said Atemu, as Yuugi laughed again. Joey nodded.

"And I won't go do that right now," said Joey, laughing heartily. Yuugi and Atemu watched him turn and disappear into the crowd.

Yuugi turned to Atemu, who was staring up into the sky with a vacant look in his eyes. He was thinking. Yuugi knew he was thinking about what life would be like now that he had his own body. Atemu was so different now. So different from when Yuugi first solved the Millennium Puzzle. Yuugi actually remembered a time when he was afraid of Atemu. That seemed like such a long time ago. Now Atemu was Yuugi's brother, always looking out for Yuugi. They always there for each other. But in all of his life, Yuugi had never seen someone look as alone as Atemu did right now. And Yuugi completely understood. Yuugi had his mother and father to go home to. What did Atemu have to go home to? Nothing.

"Atem?"

"Hmm?" came the distracted reply.

"Do you want to be part of my family when we get back?" Yuugi watched as Atemu blinked twice and looked at Yuugi.

"What?"

"When we get back home and Kaiba makes you a life, do you want to ask him if you can be part of my family? Like my brother or something? We can ask Mom when we get home. I'm sure she won't have a problem with letting you move in with us after all the times you saved my life. Including the seven million times you save my life here." Atemu blinked at Yuugi and then looked at the ground.

"Actually Yuugi," began Atemu, still looking at the hem of his own robes, "I think that possibly it would be better for everyone if I were a little more distant on your family tree."

"But you do want to be part of my family," said Yuugi slowly.

"Yes," said Atemu, the rush of realization of he would have a family cascading around him. "But I think… maybe a cousin. That way I can-"

"You can take care of yourself without worrying about mooching off my mom?" finished Yuugi. Of course Atemu would want to take care of himself, have his own home; it would rive him batty if he thought he was putting out Mrs. Mutou even in the slightest bit.

"Precisely," said Atemu smiling gently. Yuugi grinned at him.

"Cool! So you're my cousin?"

"Something like that."

"Atem!" Yuugi and Atemu turned behind them to see Joey, in all of his green glory, sprinting toward them with a hose wrapped around one arm and a jug of blue liquid in his hand. Yuugi started laughing uncontrollably.

"So Joseph… you ready to make two large men cry?" asked Atemu.

Joey wrapped his arm around Atemu's shoulder. "I love this guy. I think this is going to be a good day."

-

- - -

-

Atemu slumped into his new couch, looking around his living room with pride. The past month had been more tiring then all of his two and a half weeks in Typhoon's realm.

Atemu, Yuugi, Solomon, Mahaado, Mana, Kaiba, Mokuba, Joey, Tristan, and Tea (after Mahaado, Tristan, and Joey had scrubbed all of the dye out of their skin) had left Typhoon's realm the night of the celebration, everyone feeling tired and beat. They spent two hours saying goodbye to Proteus, Triton, Neptune, Leucothea, Calypso, Aura, Dimys, and Typhoon before Typhoon opened the portal to their realm. Once everyone gathered the gifts they had received and made sure everyone was present, they began to prepare to leave for their realm. Atemu held onto Diana, knowing it was going to be difficult to take care of her, but determined to keep his word to Nyx. Kaiba had almost gotten a foot in the portal when a large snow leopard bounded in the chamber and clambered on Atemu, licking his face. Atemu pet Ebony for another thirty minutes (much to Kaiba's annoyance) and then gave Ebony to Triton to take care of. Once everyone (except Kaiba) had hugged Ebony and given him a pat on the head they returned home.

To their immense surprise, not much seemed to have change in their absence. When they returned to Yuugi's home, Mrs. Mutou wasn't worried about them in the least. They saw that it was only twenty minutes after they'd been taken to Typhoon's realm. The shop was still wet and soggy from Mister Mutou's trip to Typhoon's realm. This surprised everyone until they decided that time must go a lot faster in the other realm.

Once Yuugi had explained everything to his mother, he introduced her to Atemu. She welcomed him warmly into her home, especially hearing about Yuugi's "other self" had save him more times than she could count. Atemu thanked her and promised he would only stay until he could take care of himself. That evening, they all cleaned up the game shop and had a little party to welcome everyone home. The next day they all went to school as though nothing had happened.

True to his word, Kaiba made Atemu a birth certificate and everything else one needed to live. Atemu was now Yuugi Mutou's orphan cousin on Yuugi's mother's side. He had made Diana Atemu's little sister so Atemu could take care of her. Kaiba also bumped Atemu's age up to seventeen so Atemu could live by himself and take care of Diana without having to live in a foster home. Atemu was worried that he would have had to suddenly join High School as a Junior, but Kaiba gave Atemu a test to skip High School and go straight to college, which Atemu aced easily. Joey asked if he could take the same test, and Kaiba quickly agreed and then laughed about it when Joey failed with flying colors. Atemu got a job at a small bookstore, but when the elderly manager saw that Atemu took care of everything with a neurotic efficiency, even with Diana in her little play pen in the corner, the old man quit his job, leaving no one except Atemu to be manager. This allowed Atemu to get a small apartment in a nice complex, not far from Domino College where he was now attending.

When Malik, Odion, and Ishizu Ishtar found out that Atemu had his own body, they moved back to Domino city where Ishizu and Odion worked at the museum and Malik got a job at the same bookstore as Atemu. Mahaado and Mana also had to ask Kaiba to add them to the system, which he did just to get them out of his office. They moved into a small home in a quaint neighborhood, not far from Yuugi's game shop. Mahaado and Malik had helped Atemu put together his house as Atemu and Mahaado helped the Ishtars put together their home and Atemu and Malik helped Mahaado and Mana.

And now that Atemu had medical records, Yuugi had dragged him to the doctor, who promptly injected Atemu with many different shots, including the one for chicken pox. The doctor also gave Atemu many different medications as well, for his asthma from his childhood, his depression from the Shadows, and his stomach disorder from the Tainted Shadow virus.

For a very short time, Atemu had attempted to volunteer at the Domino animal shelter, but ended up adopting a puppy Basset Hound and an orange kitten that were about to put to sleep because they were there too long. When he found out that the following day they were going to be killed, he panicked and adopted them both without even thinking. He decided that he should quit going to the animal shelter lest he end up with a home full of animals.

All of this happened between the time span of a month. Atemu folded his arms underneath his head and sighed. He looked at his spotless home and privately admitted that perhaps, maybe he was a little compulsive. His radio was blaring out his favorite band loudly as he tapped his foot to the beat of the music. On his coffee table was his latest book that he had just finished the day before and a cup of steaming tea. His fan was humming slightly as it blew down the cool air that made Atemu's house always cool. A large white and gray rug that matched his gray window curtains covered his living room carpet. His home smelled strongly of incense, which as Atemu discovered helped prevent headaches. And though his home was fairly new, the walls were already littered with pictures of his friends.

His basset hound trotted into the room, tripping over her ears twice and trying to jump onto the couch with Atemu. She tried twice only ending up on her bottom and started whining at Atemu to pick her up. Atemu chuckled kindly and picked her up and put her on his lap. He named her Cheddar because the very first night that he had her, she snuck on the table and started eating his shredded cheddar cheese that he had set out to make himself a baked potato. Cheddar plopped her head down on his arm, looking lovingly up at him. Behind him, Atemu heard a purring sound and then he felt a little bit of weight on his shoulder. His cat brushed his head against Atemu face, only fall over and land on top of Cheddar. Atemu sighed at his cat started hissing at Cheddar as she tried to start licking him. He picked up the orange fur ball and set him on the floor. Atemu had named the cat James but usually caught himself calling the cat Kaiba because even though James was loving and kind to Atemu and Diana, he was mean as heck to Cheddar. Cheddar stood up only to topple over again because she was on her own ear again. Atemu smiled sympathetically, and helped Cheddar to her feet. No matter how much he loved the dog, he knew, deep down in his heart, that she wasn't very smart. She ran off to play.

Atemu stood up. He walked slowly to the back room of his apartment and poked his head in silently. He had spent a lot of money on this room. There were baby toys in two toy boxes, a light pink bookshelf with picture books, a baby walker, a playpen, and in the back, a light pink crib that matched everything else in the room. In the crib was Diana, sleeping silently wrapped in a light pink flannel blanket. Atemu smiled to himself and took his head out and closed the door gently. He walked back to his couch and sat back down.

On his mantle, in a glass box was his dagger that he had received from Typhoon. His looked around his apartment. Everything he had bought with money he had earned. Sure he didn't have a lot and some of it wasn't very good, but it was his. He lay back. James leapt onto the couch and curled into a tiny ball on Atemu's chest. Cheddar crawled onto the coffee table and then jumped onto the couch. She flopped down on Atemu's leg and began to snore shortly afterward.

Atemu's eyes began to feel heavy. He yawned, causing James to follow Atemu's inflating and deflating chest. He looked around his apartment one more time.

"I'm home."

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The end.

We made it! Give yourselves a round of applause. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'd like to thank everyone who added me to his or her favorite list whether it was favorite story or favorite author.

There will be a sequel as many of you may have guessed, but only when I finish writing it.

Once again, thank you all and until next time.