Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh

Update schedule: None; Story is Complete

Chapter Warnings: Referenced Violence, Referenced Abuse

Sam: Hi again! Every rocky road does tend to have Atem's name on it. It's the burden of being a God Dragon (and a favorite haha). Oh yes! Atem is finally getting to the point of accepting his bond with Yugi as more than just instinctual. Yugi does have so much patience when it comes to Atem; everyone else he's like "nope" haha Thank you! It was actually kind of hard for me to figure out how I wanted to write that scene. Took a LOT of bouncing ideas with another author to get it where I wanted it. I love highlighting his age that way. He's not as old as Atem and he doesn't have as many responsibilities so he's capable of making the shortsighted decisions and arguing for causes he cares about. Atem is always working on maintaining balance and trying to make decisions based on what will bring the MOST success to everyone involved. It's my guilty pleasure to have them argue and not see eye to eye about certain things (i.e. weather, the egg, travel, etc). And Atem is too self-conscious to want to reach out and ask for help with all of his burdens, so it makes him seem short and curt for Yugi sometimes haha

Thank you! I'm glad you're still enjoying it!

Part V: Heat

Atem watched Yugi gorge himself on the mountain goat. The Gandora was ravenous, swallowing bone, meat, fur and grizzle without pause. He coughed once, then burrowed into his meal again. Atem lowered his chin to his paws and kept his eyes on him.

He was alive.

Yugi was alive.

He couldn't help but smile even as he watched him make a mess of himself, belching and looking shocked at the noise or getting bloodied food on his forehead. He looked excited, happy even with their strange situation, and Atem found his chest was warm and his blood felt as if it were on fire in his veins. The God Dragon watched until Yugi fell asleep again, paws crossed and head lowered to lay beside the egg between his limbs. Atem hadn't made any move to separate the two of them, though it had occurred to him more than once he might need to as the egg could overheat. But to remove it and lay with it himself would likely only allow it to freeze. So he had not spoken up. And until he heard the egg either crackle or saw it start oozing flesh, he didn't think he needed to step in. The egg would be fine until then, if it were alive as Yugi so insisted.

Atem got up only to stretch himself out and look his wings over. They'd healed somewhat, scabbing over and no longer as sore or strained as they had been. His legs didn't feel as weak as they had before, nor did he find it so hard to breathe with stress. He didn't have to worry that Yugi was going to die any longer, and his lungs seemed to work so much better now.

He shook himself out, glancing at the egg. He wondered again, stunned and unsure, if it might have somehow saved him. He didn't know how it could have. He didn't understand if it was even possible. And yet some small part of him swore up and down there was no other explanation.

Yugi shouldn't have survived. The moment he came in contact with the snow after they fell, he should have died. He should have frozen to death.

Ice magic was the most dangerous in existence. Ice breath was the most powerful force in the world. Upon contact with a Fire Dragon, their body temperature would plummet immediately. They'd lose every ounce of body heat. They'd suffer frostbite upon touch. Scales rotted. Bones broke. Organs shut down. Atem had watched one dragon's face rot to nothingness when he'd had to use it offensively. Their scales had begun to burn, then sizzle, and the flesh had folded in upon the contours of the bones before the jaw had fallen apart and dropped to the ground at their paws.

The red male had never used the breath offensively since then. The sight had terrified him. He'd panicked and wanted to vomit. But he'd been forced to. The other male had refused to back down, pushing even when Atem had beaten him senseless twice. He didn't know how he'd gotten up and charged him that third time, but Atem had finally used his ice breath, unsure of what else to do. Lightning had not daunted him, wind had made him snicker, fire had only invigorated him, water had simply soaked him. Ice had been the only thing he had left. And he'd turned on him with it, panicked and unable to keep fighting for so long. The other male had worn him down relentlessly, using his heavier set body and sheer mass to keep him unable to truly stop him.

He closed his eyes and exhaled shakily, trying to force the memories away. His eyes flickered open again, focusing on the image before him. Yugi was sleeping peacefully, breathing soft and easy, and the egg looked oddly perfect where it lay against his muzzle.

If the egg was dead, Yugi would be destroyed. Atem wasn't sure how he would feel. It had been a part of him for almost two moons now, resting in their den with them. They'd risked their lives to get it to this point. And if it were not alive, Yugi would likely die with the realization. Atem just did not know how he might feel at the end of it. He had always suspected it was not alive. In finding it dead, should it be, he did not know what he would make of the situation.

It was not as if he would turn around and say "Well, didn't I say I thought it was dead?"

He would never hurt Yugi like that. And he didn't want to consider the little hatchling they would lose if it never hatched—if there had ever been a hatchling inside it to begin with. He didn't know. He had no idea.

Atem closed his eyes and shook his head slightly. He didn't know what they would do. He didn't know what would happen. Worrying would not help him, either. Atem exhaled roughly, almost shakily, and curled up as tightly as he could. The wind was gusting outside, howling like starving dogs. It was the usual wind to accompany the middle of winter; it would dissipate soon enough, but for the moment it would continue.

Atem woke later to the sound of Yugi snoring. The Gandora twitched in his sleep, tail thumping and almost seemingly wagging. The red male watched him for a moment, chuckling and easing from his tense state. He blinked and lowered his head again.

Yugi wriggled in his sleep, then abruptly snorted and startled awake. He yawned, opening and closing his mouth with a soft smacking noise. And then he looked over at him. For a moment he seemed embarrassed and then he grinned, eyes soft and warm with something Atem could only equate to satisfaction. The Gandora got to his paws, shaking himself out, and hurried over. He plopped down at his side and leaned over immediately to groom his face.

"I was dreaming about you as a hatchling," he announced, grinning and pressing into his side. "I had this cute, tiny little red God Dragon running around and doing laps in front of me."

Atem blinked. "Oh?" he asked, startled by the vigorous licking. "You got so excited because of that?"

"Of course I did!" Yugi snorted, as if it was the most logical thing in the world. He groomed his wings and pressed firmly into his side, laying down and rolling onto his flank. "I love you, dog-brain! I dreamed about you. I love dreaming about you, Atem. You're my heart."

Atem blinked and looked at him in surprise, searching his face. He loved him so much? Atem had never truly felt such attachment to someone as to dream of them and be so ecstatic just to see their face after. He'd never felt that way about anyone. Maybe it was just something Yugi felt. Perhaps Yugi just…loved him enough that such simple things could make him so happy. He claimed he loved him more than anything. And if he loved him so much something so simple as dreaming about him could make him so happy, Atem wondered how much it would devastate him if the egg didn't hatch.

What kind of mate would he have wound up with had he not lost to Yugi?

He couldn't understand how Yugi could love him so much like this. And Atem couldn't imagine any other dragon would ever care for him as much. If he'd died in the snow, Atem would have surely rotted to death with him. He would have lay there with him until he'd starved to death.

The regret would have destroyed him.

Because he should have known better.

He should have done better.

He shouldn't have let this happen.

He should never have even given him a chance to get hurt like this.

Atem watched him for a long moment, then closed his eyes tightly. "I'm glad you're okay," he said softly, because he couldn't find more words. The God Dragon looked away when Yugi tipped his head up to consider him. Atem flexed his claws and looked over at the bloody stump on his right paw. "I'm…I'm really glad you're okay."

Yugi looked as if he wanted to say something, but he merely licked his cheek, rolled over to get up, and then came to his other side. "How did you do that to your paw?" he asked instead, searching his face and blinking. "Oh gods, did that happen when we fell?"

Atem looked it over for a moment, then shifted his paw to fold it toward his chest. "It was an accident," he answered quietly. "I shouldn't have tried to stop us when I knew our combined weight was too much."

Yugi shook his head. "You can't blame yourself for that. It was an accident. I… I couldn't even feel my paws when I was running. That's why I couldn't stop myself when I should have. I didn't mean to…" Yugi sighed softly and nuzzled him again. "I wish I could have helped you."

"It wasn't as if you willingly chose not to. I'm not upset."

The Gandora shook his head. "No, but I just… I feel bad. I wish I could have helped more."

"You carried the egg. If it… You did that."

Yugi peered at him for a moment. "You mean when. And, yeah, I guess I did."

Atem snorted when he saw the obvious effort Yugi was putting into not puffing his chest and raising his head proudly. The red male smiled and turned away. The Gandora took the spot next to him and looked his paw over.

"Does it still hurt?"

"Not really. I think I'm used to it so it doesn't really bother me anymore."

Yugi growled low in his throat, huffing a breath, and then sighed and shook his head. Atem was just relieved not to have to explain why he was so used to his claws being ripped out like that. Although he supposed he did have to thank his brothers for the fact that the few times he'd lost one in a fight he'd honestly almost never felt it. "Do you mind if I groom it?"

Atem frowned; he'd honestly never bothered. They grew back rather quickly so he'd never even considered the task of cleaning and maintaining it. "Shouldn't you lay with the egg?"

"I get the feeling I'm smothering it. It's got to be hot." Yugi looked at him for a moment, then smiled. "Besides, you should lay with it, too."

The red male grunted, feeling slightly chastised before lowering his eyes. He shifted his paw closer to Yugi and put his head down. Yugi immediately leaned over to groom him, licking eagerly at the dried blood and nipping gently at the back of one of his claws. Atem ignored him as he did so, eyes locked on the egg across the cavern.

It looked…smaller somehow.

The God Dragon felt as if he had lost his mind. The thought made no sense. And, yet, he remembered it being slightly bigger. He remembered it being wide enough that Yugi had initially struggled to get it in his mouth properly. Now it looked almost a quarter smaller than it had formerly. His eyes stretched wide at the thought, but it made no sense. Eggs didn't change size. There was no way it could have.

Not…unless the dragonet at the core of it had rotted away. Without substance on its insides, an egg did sometimes deflate. He remembered hearing that before.

But the egg didn't look as if it had suffered overheating or freezing. It had no outward harm. And he couldn't see any signs of rotting. It didn't smell any different than it always had; it had no scent whatsoever, as it was meant to. Dragon eggs and hatchlings had no scents until they were at least a year or two old. Some of them, Ice Dragons mostly, didn't have a smell until they hit their juvenile stage. Sky Dragons usually took four to five years, but Fire and Wind and Lightning all grew fast enough that it only took a year to three at the very most.

Critias and his siblings were only two years old. If Atem remembered right, Critias was only now developing a scent. He didn't remember smelling anything from him but for his parents' scents. He didn't even recall if it was altered when he'd come to see them with Timaeus. In truth, Atem had never truly paid much attention when it came to dragonets like that.

Maybe he should have paid better attention now that he'd have his own to deal with if it hatched.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Atem mumbled after a moment. "I'd rather you lay with it. I don't have the body heat to keep it warm and this cave is not the warmest to begin with. It's not as cold as I would have expected, but it is not the right temperature for me to rest with it. And there are far too many drafts of air that come in. It'd likely freeze with me beside it."

Yugi paused mid-lick to give him a somewhat startled and perhaps mildly flustered look. His eyes narrowed slightly before he shook his head minutely. "You're not allowed to ignore it just because you think it's dead."

He flinched, turning his head to stare at him in surprise. "I'm not," he answered, bristling faintly when he saw the accusatory glint in Yugi's eye. "I'm not."

His mate eyed him skeptically a moment, then sighed softly and went back to licking his paw. "You understand why I said that, though, yes?"

"Because it would certainly seem that way from your perspective."

The Gandora nodded slightly, leaning forward to nudge his shoulder before turning back to his task of grooming. "I just… I understand that you're scared it's dead, but acting that way if it's—it's not, you might as well be killing it yourself, Atem."

The Sky Dragon bristled, furious for a single moment, and then narrowed his eyes. Yugi was right. If he did not put the care in as necessary for its survival, he might as well kill it himself. Neglect would rot it, and he'd have done it by his own paws if he ignored it. Atem looked toward the egg, studying the glossy black shell and wondering at the slight red veins that still seemed visible there. If not for the fact he'd been the one to lay it, Atem would almost assume it to be a perfectly normal Fire Dragon egg.

Maybe that was part of why he didn't feel as much attachment to it as he should have. Other species rarely cared for nests of potential enemies. It was when the hatchling was alive that they were given attention and favor by others. It was usually only because they were hatched that a grown dragon might care for a random dragonet. It was likely the only reason Timaeus had even given him a second thought. No dragon rested with another species' eggs, for the sake of accidentally killing or harming them somehow. It also came down to whether the eggs would survive and many times if the parents were not there with them, the nest was more or less doomed.

The red male moved his left paw to tuck toward his chest, glancing at Yugi sideways. The Gandora looked half-asleep, eyes closed partially and tongue braced against his toe. He seemed almost as if he might pass out in front of him at any moment. And then he blinked, eyes flickering to Atem's face. He grinned sheepishly and got to his paws to shake himself out. "I'm exhausted," he admitted, laughing and tilting his head. "The cold just makes me want to sleep."

Atem snorted and leaned forward to lick his beak. He got to his paws a moment later as well, shaking himself out and stretching. "If you'd like to go lay down, you can. I'll go hunting if you're hungry."

Yugi blinked and yawned again, shaking his head. "No," he mumbled, tilting his head. "But if you're hungry, you should get something to eat. I think I need to just lay down again. I'm going to fall asleep on my paws soon."

"Go lay with the egg then," Atem answered quietly, studying him. "I'll find something for us to eat."

The Gandora watched him for a long moment before slowly turning away to head towards the opposite side of the cavern. He dropped down next to the egg, shuffling a little away from it, and lay his chin on his paws. Atem watched him for the longest time, then exhaled softly and turned to leave.

"The snow will stop in a day," Atem announced as he took a seat beside him. Yugi shifted his weight, sluggish from the cold and the food he'd eaten mere minutes before. He yawned and flicked his tongue over his beak to clean away some dried blood. Atem watched his face, scooting slightly closer. "When it stops, it'll be easier for us to make it down to the valley."

Yugi stretched his forelimbs and raised his head, blinking until he seemed able to focus on him again. "Do you think we should still move down there? Or would it be safer for us here?"

"It's getting harder to find food in this area. The mountain is too steep and I've had to go down further than usual to get to any deer or elk." Atem shook his head and folded his paws towards his chest, shifting his weight just enough that his flank touched the egg. It seemed warm, almost as if it were radiating its own heat, and he stiffened as he considered it. When he glanced in his peripheral, Yugi was beaming at him. "Yugi…"

He grinned. "I know!" he burst out, almost rumbling with satisfaction. "It's maintaining its own heat! It's going to hatch soon!"

Atem gaped at him, bristling faintly, and wondered abruptly how long it had been doing so. When had Yugi noticed? And when had it become so apparent that Yugi felt it safe enough for Atem to lay with it again? He had never argued he shouldn't, but he'd become increasingly insistent as of late. It'd been almost a moon since he'd summoned the snow and Yugi had been growing more and more insistent he lay with the egg, arguing constantly it would hatch. He'd said it would be soon, but Atem had thought he was merely hopeful.

Now he understood just why Yugi had gotten so much firmer in his belief.

He looked the egg over, studying. It still looked small, somehow, but if it was producing heat of its own, it did mean it would hatch soon. Eggs usually required incubation until the moment they produced heat. And then it was a mere matter of days before they hatched.

Atem frowned slightly. Why had it not hatched yet? It should have hatched by now. Yugi had been insistent he spend time with it for a while now. He wondered now if perhaps the egg was overheated but not to the point of rotting. Perhaps it was not producing heat itself, but expelling it instead. His hearts hurt at the thought, but he wasn't so enthusiastic he didn't understand the possibility.

He wondered if Yugi knew it was possible or if he'd forgotten in his excitement.

He was still so young and the world was so full of wonders for him.

He wasn't so jaded as Atem, seeing the world in a manner painted in blood and violence and threats. He saw everything in a much brighter aspect, though he acknowledged the worst parts of it as well. He knew what Atem had gone through to get to this point of distrust and suspicion and he had never faulted him for being that way.

Now if only it would make noise. If it made noise, no matter how slight, it would mean it was alive. Noise was only ever produced when an egg would hatch. The dragonet usually chirped or whimpered or let out some kind of noise.

Atem had yet to hear it and he knew Yugi would have alerted him to it had he heard anything himself.

It meant the egg was still silent.

Atem looked over at Yugi. The Gandora had taken to grooming his wing, movements somewhat more energized than they had been the day before. He watched him for a long time, seeing him peel the smallest layers of shed scales from his oncoming molt. And then the blue-violet-eyed male looked over, a small clump of skin hanging from his mouth. He blinked, at first puzzled, and then stiffened with obvious embarrassment. He ducked his head, dropping the shed aside, and shifted his wing to hide it from Atem. The God Dragon laughed softly at the action and Yugi grinned at him playfully, though it was clear he was still sheepish.

"You don't have to stop," Atem chuckled. "I don't mind. I always knew you molted, remember?"

Yugi shook his head, looking away and offering an awkward smile. "I know. I just… It's still embarrassing."

"It's a sign of good health in your species," the red male returned warmly, moving to stretch himself out on his side. His belly was exposed to the egg and he could have easily reached out and pulled it closer if he only tried. Instead he closed his eyes and yawned softly. "I'd rather you molt and grow than become ill from inability."

Yugi sighed and huffed a breath. "It's still embarrassing," he grumbled. He folded his paws towards his chest and rested his chin on the stone. He peered at him, eyes bright with warmth as they looked at each other. "I was hoping it would be later in the year."

Atem snorted and smiled at him lazily. "Oh? Is it just the timing that's so inconvenient?"

The Gandora flicked his tongue at him playfully. "Of course!" he teased. "It's all about timing! If it was summer time I could pretend it was just the way the sunlight hit my scales! There's no sunlight here so I can't even pretend it's your eyes playing tricks on you."

The God Dragon laughed loudly, craning his neck forward to lick his beak. "You're so cute."

Yugi beamed at him. This time he raised his head and puffed his chest up as Atem laughed at the childish reaction. "I'm cute!" he announced proudly, shuffling closer to lick his forehead and nuzzle his cheek. "He says I'm cute!"

He laughed softly at the words, closing his eyes halfway and smiling warmly. "I do. I think you're adorable." He lowered his head again and blinked groggily. "I think you're the most adorable Gandora in existence."

Yugi trembled with pride, then licked his face vigorously.


"The snow stopped."

Atem didn't raise his head. His eyes were slightly troubled, the gem in his forehead clouded. He frowned when Yugi looked over his shoulder at him from his spot at the entrance of the cavern. The Gandora studied his face, uncertain for a moment, and then want to him. When he took a seat, Atem looked away and stared at the ground.

"It'll be okay, Atem."

The God Dragon flexed his claws and stretched his legs lazily. Yugi could see the smallest nub of white on his toe where his claw had been broken off. It was slight and small, like an egg tooth. He almost smiled at the sight; he was healing already. Hopefully it would grow back quickly.

"Do you not wish to stay longer? It may be easier if we wait a couple more days. The chill won't be as strong and—"

"And you'll continue to wear yourself out by hunting larger prey and dragging it back from the valley for me to eat." Yugi tilted his head. "I don't like to see you so exhausted like that, Atem."

He grimaced and shuffled his paws. "But I don't want to risk another incident. You've done well to recover in here. And it might be a hassle to travel back and forth, but I'd rather that than see you hurt again."

Yugi shook his head, hurrying forward and licking his forehead. "It'll be okay, Atem! I promise."

Arem shot him a furious look. "You know the future?" he demanded harshly. "Unless you know the future where I do not, I refuse to believe in your optimism."

"Call it a…gut feeling," Yugi said gently, smiling. Atem huffed and peeled his lips back more pointedly to show the ridges of his teeth. The Gandora tilted his head, then licked him there as well. Atem startled, eyes widening and lips falling back over the ridges of his teeth with surprise. "But I think it'll be fine. In fact, I know it will."

"Oh? And how is that?"

Yugi searched his face for a moment. Then he sprang forward and wrapped his forelimbs around his shoulders, licking him more vigorously. "Because I trust you."

Atem faltered visibly at the declaration, staring blankly. "I can't guarantee safe travel."

The Gandora smiled. "No, but you've been traversing by paw recently back and forth from the cavern to the den. I know you have. I've seen your prints and I know you wouldn't risk flying in that weather with such heavy prey." He searched his face again, then licked his muzzle as Atem peered at him with a troubled expression once more. "I adore you. I trust you more than anything and anyone. You know your way back and forth and I trust you to lead me there."

"Because it was such a good idea the last time."

"It's different." He tilted his head, then beamed at him. "And, if it weren't for that accident, we might never have noticed the egg was producing its own heat!"

Atem cast an uncertain glance toward it. "You believe that?"

"Firmly."

He shook his head. "Why would you…?"

"Because I know you. You would have picked a den that was warm enough it wouldn't make me sluggish while I was inside. You would have picked a den warm enough the egg and I would barely feel a difference in temperature." He smiled warmly. "I firmly believe I would not have noticed the egg producing its own heat if it wasn't for this…misadventure."

Atem shifted his weight. "I'd rather it didn't happen like this regardless."

Yugi shook his head and licked his cheek. "It's okay. I'm okay."

"It could have been so much worse, Yugi."

"But it wasn't, bright sky. I'm here. I'm okay!"

He grimaced at him. Then he lowered his head and licked awkwardly at his right paw to shield his embarrassment. Yugi smiled, touched by the obvious concern even if Atem did not speak outwardly about his relief he was okay as he had before. Yugi licked his cheek and looked over at the egg.

"Besides, with the egg producing its own heat, that means it'll keep me warm while we're traveling. Even if it's just my mouth, it should help me keep my wits about me instead of being too tired and cold to know where I'm putting my paws."

Atem was silent for a long minute. Then he raised his head to look at him again. "You will tell me should this be too much of a journey for you, yes? I do not want you to pretend you're okay again as you did before. I would rather not sprain my wing or break another claw."

Yugi cringed at the slight reprimand. "Of course," he whispered. "I won't do it again."

But they both knew it hadn't been entirely by choice. Atem had not given him much of a chance to warn him. And he'd been insistent they left then and there. The repercussions were truly his fault rather than Yugi's, though he knew the Gandora would never agree with the statement. He knew better than to even say it.

Yugi would argue and it would be a waste of time. Atem didn't think they had that luxury. The prey was down near the river and the river was too far for them to argue, start their journey late and get to by sunset. And they had to get Yugi back into a den by sunset. There was no question of that. He'd freeze to death if he was left more than an hour in the cold at night.

And Atem did not have the proper night vision required to be able to lead him safely should they linger too long.

"Okay. Then we'll move now. We'll have a few hours before sunset creeps in."

"Not that anyone can tell with the sun blocked by so many clouds," Yugi teased.

Atem snorted and shook his head. "You'll definitely feel it when the temperature drops. Now let's start moving. We'll use the trail I made this morning to get to the river. From there the den shouldn't be too far."

Yugi smiled brilliantly, eyes bright and dancing with affection. "Okay!"

Atem hesitated, watching, then turned away to lead him out. The ice was almost blinding where the sunlight just barely touched its surface through the clouds. He tipped his head up, studying for a single moment, and then followed his trail to the path he'd taken formerly. Yugi was immediately behind him. He could feel his body heat from the proximity.

Atem moved slowly, picking his way desperately to ensure the earth was still firm beneath his paws. He pressed all his weight into his steps, almost panting with the energy it took. A trip that should have taken but an hour now took over four. Yugi trailed diligently, testing the ground as well behind him and trotting closer to him when he seemed to sense the firmness beneath his paws.

Abruptly Atem turned his head to look over his shoulder. Yugi paused mid-step, startled by the expression on his face. He looked almost crestfallen, but partially frustrated as well.

"I wish…" Atem fell quiet for a moment. Then he sighed harshly, shaking his head. "I wish I could trust myself to use my Origin Form to get us down the mountain faster. But I already know I'd kill you if you touched me then. I can't trust myself to even change long enough to carry you down."

Yugi blinked, stunned, then shook his head. "I wouldn't expect you to—"

"If I could do that, this would never have happened. You'd have ridden on my back and my size alone would have ensured a rather smooth trail down the mountain. But I…"

"Atem, I don't blame you for that. I don't blame you for any of it. You didn't ask to be hurt so constantly as a hatchling. Your brothers deserve to be beaten to death and…" He shook his head and hurried to catch up, nudging him gently on the hip. Atem stopped short to stare at him in surprise, then leaned forward to lick his beak. Yugi swelled at the touch, raising his head with satisfaction.

"I just… I care for you," the red male finally mumbled. "I care for you a lot and I wish we could have avoided this trouble."

Yugi swore his hearts threatened to beat out of his chest. He already knew Atem cared; every other action he made told him that. He may not have loved him—yet, because Yugi was sure he could wear him down eventually—but he cared. And for Yugi, that meant almost the same. Atem wasn't used to trusting others. He wouldn't push for Atem to falsely tell him he loved him if he didn't. Caring was a close second, if nothing else.

He would have licked him had he been able to. But the egg prevented him and all Yugi could do was butt him gently in the hip again.

Atem didn't look back this time. He picked his way along without a second look, following his trail exactly and straying only far enough ahead that Yugi could see his tail tip where it was curled tightly. The Gandora followed quickly, moving almost step for step with him. His entire body still felt warm and soft. Even the snow on his paws failed to dampen his spirit.

Finally they reached what seemed the end of the rocky slopes. A few evergreen trees poked about the ground before them and Yugi shivered as he looked them over. Atem didn't slow; in fact, amazingly, he began to move faster. He ran forward almost like a hatchling might when being led from the den. He bounded a few yards, then looked over his shoulder and paused.

"The ground is firmer down here. There aren't anymore potential slides—no more possibility of avalanches or mud or rock slides beneath our paws. The ground here is smoother because the humans traverse it so often during the summers. You could still slip a little, but you likely won't go tumbling down anymore. It's not so slick."

Yugi smiled at his relieved expression, then hurried after him. They were running like a pair of newly hatched dragonets, he thought with amusement. Atem never moved too far, tempering his speed, and Yugi swore they were almost moving in sync. Had it not been for the egg in his mouth, he would have even said they were breathing in time.

Atem slowed finally a few minutes later, pausing to look around. Yugi got to his hip and waited, watching his face. The God Dragon didn't look troubled, however, and Yugi almost trembled with relief. Atem was merely watching for other dragons in the area, he realized, or for humans that might be straggling about the riverside. When he was satisfied neither were present, he offered Yugi a small grin and turned to lead him along again.

The den, Yugi found, was nestled tightly in the crook of a foothill. The opening was a small crevice in comparison to the immensity of its size. The den was twice the size of them both, and warm with a heat Yugi supposed had to be underground springs. The area was littered with them. He remembered the humans showing him more than once. A few had bathed and mated in them, even attempting to approach him before he'd flee and refuse to join again when someone was in the water. But the den was a solid silver color, like granite, and the sand was scratchy but soft all the same. It lacked river stones or even the faintest hint of Atem's scent, but he could tell it was meant to be a den all the same. And, while they were there, he was sure they could make it better than what it was now.

But, as he stepped toward the entrance, Atem abruptly stopped. His entire body grew still. His head snapped up, eyes widening. Yugi turned as well and his eyes burned from the sheer brilliance of the light the sky cast at him. He almost flinched, blinking against the pain, and slowly lowered his mouth to prevent clenching his jaws.

There was a shadow passing over what Yugi assumed was the sun. But the light was so harsh it was almost blinding.

"What…?"

Atem opened and closed his mouths, gaping. "This isn't… This shouldn't be happening. Why is this…?"

"Atem, what are you—?"

"Get the egg inside. Stay there. I—"

Yugi moved to do so, hurrying to place the egg at the farthest end of the den. But he didn't remain there. He hurtled himself out of the den and to Atem once more, bristling. Atem was still statuesque, frozen and peering at the sky as if he might find an answer.

"Yugi…"

"I don't understand," he whispered, absent-minded as he squinted. Even his inner eyelid and secondary lens were doing nothing to stop the light's intensity. His hearts skipped beats and made his stomach knot. He looked away again, but the ice seemed to be burning with light, like the world was on fire around them. "What is that?"

"It's an eclipse." Atem looked over. "And I don't know how or why."

Yugi faltered and turned to him. The God Dragon looked as if he were a moment away from trembling. "An eclipse? Out of nowhere?"

Atem slowly turned his head. His eyes shot toward the den, sharpening and narrowing. His breath came out in an uneven rasp. And then he looked up again. The sun was completely engulfed. And, just as Atem went to say such, a cracking noise came.

Yugi's head snapped around.

"Atem, the egg! It's hatching!"

Of Land and Sky is being worked on still. I'm about six chapters into it, but it's been slow work due to being unable to properly find time to plot the outline and work on smaller details. Chapter lengths for the story will be around 3k to 6k for the most part, in order to keep the smaller details from being overlooked as the story goes on. That also means the story is going to be a lot longer than originally thought (I estimated 26-36 chapters at most but it's going to surpass it). Shorter chapters also means less time working on edits and page breaks, so I'm hoping this will also help with my busier work schedules, which should also ensure the schedule I want for posting the story (every other day barring problems). I'll try to update my ff profile with news on it as I go along. Thank you for reading and especially for your patience!