Linkshipping (Yugi Mutou x Priest Set)
Yugi hadn't been thinking clearly when he ran to try and help that girl being stoned. It occurred to him too late that he wouldn't be seen and would not be able to help. It occurred to him with a sinking feeling that this was the unaltered past, and if this girl was supposed to die here, he could do nothing to change it.
But as soon as the helplessness had begun to sink in, he appeared.
Yugi gaped. He couldn't help it. Here, standing in front of him, was that tall, sharp-featured figure that he knew all too well, dressed in Egyptian clothing and with bronzed skin, but it was Seto Kaiba nonetheless. Those same harsh blue eyes, that same rigid stance, that all too familiar haughtiness to his expression as his eyes snapped around the crowd.
"Who would like to explain to me what is going on?" the Egyptian Seto asked, his voice with the same cold, commanding presence.
"Whoa!" Jonouchi said. "It's Kaiba!"
Yugi could barely speak. His head spun. It was true. It was true that Seto had been in ancient Egypt, he had been here with Yugi's other self, and it was probably true that they were going to fight each other here. He couldn't get his mind around it.
It's real, he realized. This is all real. And Seto was here.
"She's a demon!" somebody shouted about the girl.
"Oh, really? And how can you tell?" Seto asked with a biting sarcasm. "Is it because she smells better than you? Or perhaps you have an irrational fear of blue?"
Yugi snorted. Typical Seto. Some things didn't change.
Yugi watched, invisible, as the Egyptian Seto took complete control of the situation with ease, not only dispersing the murderous crowd, but rescuing the girl and taking her with him to be treated.
He's...nicer, Yugi thought. They're the same personality, but this Seto...he's kinder somehow. Even just a little.
He watched Seto disappear with the other priest and the girl, watched until the silhouette of his long blue robes was out of sight.
Who were you to him? he wondered.
He had failed. Somehow Bakura had managed to undo the strength that Yugi had given to his other self, and now he was running, running as fast as he could to get there again and do it again.
He already knew it would be too late this time.
Yugi streaked ahead of his friends to reach the battle scene first. He let out a cry as he saw Bakura laughing, saw his other self clinging to the edge of the cliff, his grip slipping bit by bit.
But even as his eyes were focused on his other self, even as his heart was thumping and his head was spinning, he found himself looking at the ancient Seto. He saw the rage in Seto's stance as he leapt off his horse and ran on foot towards the cliff, as though he could make it in time.
He heard the angry, wordless cry that ripped from his lips when the pharaoh's hand slipped and disappeared.
But I thought you were going to fight with him, Yugi thought.
What is he to you?
It was over. The sky was clear again, and the darkness had dissipated. The last adventure had come to a close. Yugi felt his heart burst with happiness as Atem - Atem, he had a name now - turned towards him with a smile on his face. They had won. With a laugh, Yugi gave his other self a huge hug, one that his other friends joined in on.
But over Atem's shoulder, Yugi saw the Egyptian Seto one last time.
For a moment, Yugi knew that Set could see him too. Knew that there was a question in the man's eyes, this man who had lost the one he loved, had lost friends and family and was about to lose Atem one last time. That question was, what is he to you?
Set's lips twitched slightly into half a smile, although the sadness never left his eyes. Yugi returned the expression. Because he knew that Set wasn't the only one about to lose Atem. What is he to you? Yugi had an answer, then. For both of them.
He's a friend. My best friend. Someone so close to me that I will never feel that closeness with anyone ever again.
As the memory world faded, Yugi imagined that Set lingered a little longer, just to watch the world stop and Atem disappear.
Because Atem was their link, and it was not one that Yugi would forget quickly.
A/N: I have a very exciting announcement to make. *takes a deep breath* THIS IS THE OFFICIAL HALFWAY POINT OF THE YGO SHIPPING CHALLENGE. Yes, you heard right, this is the halfway point. It's a downhill jog from here. I can't believe I made it this far, and I promise you now that I'm going to go all the way. Thank you so much to everyone that has followed, reviewed, and enjoyed this series. I never would have made it this far without you, so this achievement of making it halfway through the YGO Shipping List is just as much yours as it is mine. Thank you, and here's to more oneshots to come!
The next chapter will be Lingershipping (Atem x Priestess Isis).
