Millennium Vessels by dragonwrangler

Warnings- Warnings: WIP, M/M, Yaoi, Shonen ai, Anal, Oral. Rape in a later chapter

Chapter Five: Revelations

Ryou stepped through the doorway that led into Atemu's soul room and was once again amazed at the changes that had happened since he had played against the spirit in the Ceremonial Duel. Though he had not been able to beat Atemu, the duel had been enough to loosen the block that kept the spirit of the Puzzle from remembering his ancient past.

From what Ryou could see, the sight of the Millennium Ring had jarred that block a little more going by the now orderly arrangement of doors near the entrance into the Puzzle. In the past, Ryou would constantly lose his way in the jumbled mess that had existed within the Puzzle before the Duel, but thankfully Atemu always found him before he had gone too far.

This time Ryou had no difficulty finding Atemu. Standing in the plaza that seemed to serve as the center of the Puzzle, Atemu was looking up at the remaining maze that swirled up into the heights. The spirit was dressed in the tight black t-shirt and pants Ryou was used to seeing him in, the golden collar that covered his throat gleaming in the subdues light that was present throughout the Puzzle. For a moment Ryou was silent as he gazed on his companion but, having been drawn here by Atemu's need to talk, cleared his throat to let the spirit know he had arrived.

Atemu turned, blond bangs momentarily obscuring crimson eyes until Atemu tossed his head slightly to shift them back away from his sight. Ryou smiled at the movement, getting an amused glare from the spirit in return.

"You're one to talk, Ryou." Atemu said.

Walking a little past Atemu to sit on a set of stairs that- at the moment- led nowhere, Ryou answered, "I'm not cutting my hair Atemu. I don't care how much it bothers you when you're in control."

Sitting down beside Ryou, Atemu replied, "There's no reason for you to hide your face like that Ryou." Atemu gave him a critical look. "I know that's why you keep it so long."

Ryou found himself doing just that as he felt a blush heat his cheek. Needing a distraction from Atemu's scrutiny he asked hurriedly, "You said there was something you wanted to tell me?"

Atemu leaned forward resting his chin on his entwined fingers as he braced his elbows on his knees. The spirit's expression grew serious as he began to speak, "Yes. Many things. And I'm not sure where to start." Looking across the plaza, Atemu continued in a low voice, "I'm not sure what you are going to think."

Ryou bit his lower lip before saying, "Atemu, don't worry. Whatever it is happened a long time ago."

Atemu sighed, "Not to me."

Silence stretched out between them. When Atemu seemed unwilling to continue, Ryou said quietly, "Is this about the one yesterday who looks like your High Priest?"

Atemu straightened in surprise. "How do you know about Seth?"

Shrugging, Ryou replied, "I mentioned the name Kaiba to Malik, that's the name of the one who stopped the guy with the Ring. He said the Tomb keepers believed Kaiba has the Millennium Rod, though they have no proof." Dropping his gaze away from Atemu he added, "And he sent me a photo of the memorial tablet."

"Memorial tablet?" Atemu asked curiously.

"Yes, the one…" Wincing, Ryou bit his lip again as he realized Atemu would not have know about it since it had been made after his soul was sealed into the Puzzle. Giving Atemu an apologetic look he said, "It's a stone slab depicting a duel between you and him. Malik said the tablet was commissioned by the High Priest to honor your sacrifice so you would not be forgotten, even if your name was gone forever from history. Malik added that, according to the ancient texts, the High Priest disappeared soon after it was finished."

Atemu sighed and rubbed his forehead, his expression pained. Ryou could just hear him mutter, "Damn you, Seth. What have you done?"

"Atemu?"

"He sealed his soul in the Rod, I'm sure of that."

"He was important to you, wasn't he?"

"He was my High Priest, my advisor, and my lover." Atemu said flatly.

"And that was what you were afraid to tell me?" Ryou asked, trying to keep his voice light. "You've been in my head long enough to know that wouldn't bother me."

Atemu abruptly stood and stepped before Ryou, who was startled as he watched Atemu kneel down before him. Atemu looked into Ryou's eyes to said softy, "I also know how you feel about me, Ryou." Ryou could feel the blush burning his face again but was unable to turn away as Atemu continued. "Seth was my whole world but I used that love against him to force him to seal my soul in the Puzzle. I betrayed his trust in me to accomplish what I believed needed to be done." For just a moment Ryou saw fear deep within Atemu's crimson eyes. "I want to protect you from that side of myself, keep you from experiencing that kind of pain, that kind of betrayal."

Ryou didn't allow himself to think about what he was doing. If he did he knew he would not have the courage to reach out to tenderly touch Atemu's face as he said, "Isn't that my decision to make? You showed me how strong I truly am when you helped me deal with my sister and father's death. And I know you will leave me one day- I haven't given up on my promise to set you free. You won't betray me."

Smiling gently, Ryou added, "Until that time, let me be what you need, Atemu. Whatever that is."

"I don't want to hurt you, Ryou."

Ryou shook his head. "You won't, Atemu."

Atemu closed his eyes with a heavy sigh, resting his head briefly against Ryou's hand, before slipping away from the touch, returning to his spot, though this time he was much closer than before. Leaning forward as he began speaking in a low voice, Atemu said, "I thank you for your trust but you will need to be patient with me. The memory of Seth is still strong and I can still see the look of pain in his eyes when I ordered him to finish the sealing spell." Atemu bowed his head. "And because he was my Priest he had no choice but to do my will though it was shattering his soul."

"And you think that is why he might have sealed himself in the Rod? To follow you?" Ryou managed to ask, a little overwhelmed by the mixture of emotions he could sense from his link with Atemu. Love, guilt, and anger were battling for supremacy within the spirit.

"I can think of no other reason." Atemu shook his head. "And it was for nothing. I am hardly the person he remembers." A scowl crossed his face as he added softy in a rough voice, "The fool."

-------------------------------------------

Mokuba was sure there was an argument going on by the way his brother was smacking the dishes down onto the dinner table but he knew better than to ask what was up. He had become used to the occasional silent fight between his brother and the spirit of the Rod and had learned it was best to just wait until they became aware of his presence again; or he was able to talk to Seth.

Though it was beginning to look as if that might take a while.

As he slowly ate his dinner, he kept a close eye on his brother, who had finally settled into a chair and was now simply pushing food around his plate; a scowl firmly in place. Guessing they were at an impasse for the moment, Mokuba reached over the dishes sitting at the center of the table to grab the pepper grinder next to his brother's plate. Seto suddenly focused on him and said sharply, "You're supposed to ask, Mokuba- not lunge across the table."

"Sorry, Nii-sama." Mokuba nodded at the uneaten food on the plate. "You really should eat something you know."

"Hn." was all he got in response as Seto set his fork down and leaned back in his chair.

Deciding to push things along- and able to tell Seto was not going to be very talkative tonight- Mokuba asked, "Well, can you at least let Seth out for a while? I haven't talked to him in a few days." Mokuba gave his brother a smile as he added, "I'd like to show him the new monsters I got for my Capsule Monster collection- they're really cool!"

Seto rolled his eyes and gave his brother a look. "You are aware that I'm not fooled by any of this Mokuba."

A shameless grin crossed Mokuba's face. "Yes I am and I also know you'll give in as well, Nii-sama."

A smile almost broke the scowl as Mokuba watched the switch happen. Mokuba always knew which personality he was speaking to but still found it a bit unnerving to watch.

When he was sure the switch was complete, Mokuba propped his elbows on the table and asked, "Okay, so what were you two arguing about this time?" He was often able to get the answers he was looking for out of the spirit of the Rod. As much alike as Seto and Seth were, Seth was actually much more open about emotional stuff than his brother ever was.

Seth's first response though was a typical older brother order. "Elbows off the table, Mokuba." he said with a growl.

Mokuba made a face but did what he was told. "Well?" he prodded the spirit again.

For a moment he though Seth was going to ignore him until he muttered, "It was nothing." Seth looked down to focus his attention onto his dinner.

Feeling worried now, Mokuba leaned forward and insisted, "It can't be nothing, Seth. You two have been at it since Nii-sama picked me up this afternoon."

Seth refused to look up as he admitted, "It was a minor indiscretion on my part, nothing more."

"What did you do?"

Seth shook his head. "It happened a long time ago, Mokuba. It is of no concern now."

Mokuba sighed; slightly irritated that he was out of this loop. "You're as bad as Nii-sama sometimes, Seth."

Suddenly amused, Seth looked at Mokuba and answered, "It's a bitch when you can't have things your way, isn't it."

Giving in, knowing that he wasn't going to win this battle, Mokuba laughed. "You really need to stop watching those late night cable shows, Seth. It's really fucking up your language."

Catching the switch, Mokuba jumped out of his chair and took off running, grinning madly as his brother shouted, "Mokuba!"

Mokuba figured it was worth the punishment he was going to get for that comment if it snapped Seto back to normal. Well, as normal as he could be.