Update! :D have you guys been waiting long for this? Sorry. Been busy with school and whatnot since it's the end of the semester, so got a lot of finals coming up! Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter. You may have conflicting feelings about Yami in this chapter and in this story in general to be honest. As I've mentioned before, he's going to be going back and forth between being an asshole and a somewhat decent guy. Atem, well, he'll just be Atem. Lol. Yugi...well, I have a lot of plans for Yugi's character in this, some good and some bad, But you'll see as I update. ;)

Please review and as always, ENJOY!

THANK YOU!

The young prince giggled as a warm hand encased his before pulling him along. A low, baritone chuckle filled the air and violet eyes lifted to meet darker maroon. 'My Pharaoh, where are you taking me?'

'You need not worry, My Love. Just close your eyes and follow my lead.'

The prince obeyed as he followed the Pharaoh blindly. After a few moments of walking and giddy laughter, they finally reached their destination. 'You may open your eyes now, My Prince.'

The Prince did just that, blinking before his vision cleared. A gasp fell from his lips as he was welcomed by the sight of a large, rectangular pool in the middle of a garden filled with exotic plants. Upon the pool's clear, shimmery surface floated numerous white lotuses.

The Prince's lips parted as he gazed wide-eyed at the beauty before him; the water glittering with reflection of the billions of silvery stars in the night sky. 'M-my Pharaoh, what-'

A pair of soft, luscious lips cut off any further words from the Prince as the Pharaoh leaned down to steal a short yet sweet kiss. 'It has been so long since we have had any time alone together. I thought this would be a good opportunity to relax, without the titles. Simply Atem and Heba.'

Heba smiled, 'Thank you, My Ph-Atem. Really, thank you.'

Atem grinned and kneeled down beside the edge of the pool. 'Well, there is one thing I forgot…'

'What is that?'

Atem winked and touched his palm to the surface of the water. Heba blinked as the water soon glowed a faint blue; the lotus lit up with a soft gold, as did the other exotic flowers with their own luminescent glow. 'You never cease to amaze me with that magic of yours. I only aspire to be as skilled with my own.' Heba smiled as Atem slowly lead him into the pool.

'In time, my sweet, in time. You will learn to master your powers as I have soon enough. You do have a fairly talented teacher.'

'Yes, Yami has been a very wonderful teacher. You two are a lot alike, you know that? The only difference is that you're more open and bold. He's so...timid and always hides in the shadows.'

Atem chuckled, 'Yes, Yami is quite peculiar but he is my best friend. I wouldn't be able to do all this without him. Without him, I'd probably have gone insane. He's the only one who understands me, really.'

'Wow, I feel so loved!' Heba scoffed sarcastically and pouted.

'Ah, let me rephrase that then. He was the only one that understood me. And now I have you, too. I'd lose my mind without you two.'

Heba smiled gently and cupped Atem's face in his hands, 'Atem...' He looked away suddenly, his cheeks aflame.

'What is it, Heba?' Atem raised his hands to cradle Heba's against his cheeks, 'Why do you shy away from me now?'

'I-I love you.'

Amethyst eyes snapped open before squinting closed again for a moment. Yugi rubbed his eyes and blinked, trying to clear the haze and sleep fogging his vision. As the haze faded, he realized he was in someone's living room, lying on a comfy black couch. The smell of cinnamon and various other spices filled his senses, making his insides turn to mush at the calming feeling it brought.

His head snapped up at the sound of footsteps and muffled voices approaching and so he quickly laid back down and shut his eyes as the noises grew louder. The sound of the door creaking open caused him to flinch slightly but he otherwise maintained his illusion of sleep.

"What the hell do you suppose we do then, Atem? He knows. He fucking knows!"

"Well, we can't keep this a secret from him any longer. Besides, what are you going to do? Erase his memories whenever he gets into trouble? That's not going to work anymore, Yami. He's in danger!"

"You don't think I know that? I know he's in danger. The kid is a fucking magnet for danger! And he's a goddamn horrible actor! Get up, Mutou. I know you're awake."

Yugi mentally slapped himself before slowly sitting up, his gaze glued to the floor as he couldn't bring himself to look either of them in the eyes. He flinched as someone placed a gentle, yet firm hand on his shoulder and sighed.

"Yugi,"

"Be honest with me, what happened at the mall...I didn't just dream that up did I? It actually happened?"

"I'm afraid so."

Yugi took in a shaky breath and swallowed thickly, letting the day's previous events sink in. He clenched his hands into fists and shut his eyes, trying to steady himself and get a grip on reality but with the two mysterious teens in the room, he found it rather difficult. He opened his mouth, the words barely audible as he spoke them, "A-are you going to drink m-my blood or s-something?"

He jerked his head up when he heard Yami scoff, "Are you fucking kidding me right now? He thinks we're fucking vampires, Atem!"

"Y-you mean you're not? Then what-"

Atem sighed and retracted his hand, "No, Yugi, we're not vampires. We aren't like any of the supernatural creatures you've come to know from Hollywood or from fantasy novels."

"What are you?"

"I guess you could call us demons of some sort except not quite...we're Shadows."

"Shadows?" Yugi furrowed his brows, confused.

"We're beings of darkness but we are not all evil. Or at least, some of us aren't evil. You remember what I told you about the Shadow Games that existed long ago?"

Yugi nodded.

"They were real. They're still real."

"What do you-"

"What he means is, you're a target in someone's Shadow Game. Someone has chosen you specifically. Why that is, I have no fucking clue but it's true. In short, Mutou, you're in danger." Yami leaned against the window casually and crossed his arms; and although his stance remained devoid of any concern, his crimson eyes blazed with fury and rage.

"D-danger? Wait...so then these nightmares I've been having, these illusions, they're real...they're part of the Shadow Game?!"

"Yes. But you don't need to be afraid, we're here to protect you."

Yami snorted, "We? I'm not wasting my time looking after some pathetic mortal. I have better things to do with my life, Atem."

Atem turned to glare at Yami, "Oh? Like going to those stupid underground fights you frequent to so often? Yeah, because that's important."

"Fuck you."

"No thanks, not in the mood right now." Atem smiled dryly as Yami rolled his eyes.

"Real mature, Pharaoh."

Yugi gasped, suddenly recalling his dreams and absentmindedly raised his hand to touch his chest; his heart suddenly feeling heavier. Atem seemed to take notice of Yugi's change in expression and frowned, "Yugi? What is it?"

Said boy closed his eyes and exhaled shakily, "You...that story you told me, about the Pharaoh...the Prince...and the Servant…"

Yami tensed up and his eyes narrowed slightly, though he said nothing and allowed Yugi continue. He knows….? Atem told him? Fucker…

"That story...th-that was about you, wasn't it?"

Atem bit his lip and turned away, his eyes downcast. He always knew that Yugi would figure it out eventually but he didn't think he'd figure out so quickly. However, there was no point in denying anything anymore. The secret was out and he might as well get everything out now and lay out all his cards on the table. "Yes. I-I was once a Pharaoh...five thousand years ago."

"And the Servant…" Yugi looked toward Yami and shuddered, seeing the dark, intense look the teen wore; those crimson eyes boring into Yugi's soul as they always did, "That Servant was you...Yami."

"What the hell makes you say that? Who said I had anything to do with Atem's past?"

Yugi smiled weakly, "I may be a horrible actor but you're also a horrible liar, Yami. And I had a dream...you...saved Heba."

At that, the two older teens' eyes visibly widened at the mention of the name. Yugi flinched internally realizing he'd struck a chord but he also felt intrigued. So they did know this...Heba, a boy that resembled Yugi. A boy that was once betrothed to the Pharaoh, Atem. "H-how do you know about Heba? How do you know that name?" Atem asked quietly.

"I had a dream about him. I've been having dreams about both of you. I-I assume they're visions of your past. Atem, you...you loved Heba and he, you."

Atem glanced at Yami who still wore the same shocked expression, a hint of fear glinting in those normally stony crimson eyes. "I-I indeed was in love with Heba. If you recall the story I told you, we were engaged, betrothed...but…"

"But you called it off because-" Yugi trailed off as his eyes shifted toward Yami. The teen was oddly silent and Yugi felt like if he continued on this track any longer, he'd end up causing Yami to snap and possibly kill them all.

"You…" Yami finally spoke, his voice low, yet strained as he spoke through clenched teeth, "You told him the story of Heba...of us? Are you fucking mad?"

"I didn't think he'd connect it to us"

"That's bullshit! You knew. You knew he would. You probably wanted him to find out the truth! Look at him, Atem! He's an exact replica of Heba and I know for a fact that's the only reason why you wanted to get close to him, the only reason you told him!"

Atem glared, his eyes darkening, "That is not true."

"No? Then what drew you to him in the first place, Atem?"

"Fine! I was intrigued because he resembled Heba a little but I like him as Yugi. He may look like Heba but he's not! I know that. Do you?"

Yami's expression hardened once more as he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, "Of course I know." He glanced at Yugi, staring at him as if he were nothing but a speck of dirt, causing the smaller teen to look away uncomfortably and Yami to smirk, "He's not Heba. He's nothing more than a cheap carbon copy of the Heba I knew. It's true, I cared for Heba but it's because he is Yugi Mutou that I do not care about what happens to him. He's merely a cheap knockoff the real Heba."

Yugi balled his hands into fists and clenched his jaw. Yami's words had cut him deep. He was nothing but a cheap knockoff? A carbon copy? He'd been bullied before in the past and had took it like a coward but not this time. He wouldn't let someone, someone like Yami walk all over him. And so, he slowly rose to his feet and lifted his head to glare at the teen, "You're right, Yami. I'm not Heba and I never will be, quite frankly I don't think I want to be Heba if it means I have to be associated with the likes of you. And I feel sorry for you, Yami, because it seems I'm not the only fake here. You are, too."

Yami's expression did not change as he glared down at the teen before him, slightly shocked that this little runt was actually standing up to him. No one ever had before. "And how am I a fake?"

"Because the Yami I saw in my dreams...he's not the Yami standing in front of me now. No, the Yami in front of me now is nothing more than a fake, washed out copy of the man from the past. I can't help my appearance, I can't change that. But you, you made yourself this way. It's funny because I actually thought there was some good in you, I thought that maybe it could be possible to break that tough, cold exterior and meet the real Yami but I see that's impossible. You're nothing more than a jerk who knows nothing other than to push people away and make them feel like dirt."

Atem sighed, "Yugi-"

"Thank you both for saving me today. I promise I won't tell anyone about what happened. And you don't have to worry about me anymore. Because it might actually be good thing if whoever is targeting me finally kills me. Maybe that will finally make Yami smile, maybe it'll make him happy. So from now on, can you both maybe just...stay away from me?"

Yugi turned away and began to walk away, his footsteps heavy as he reached the front door. He lifted his hand and paused as he gripped onto the door knob. It was then that he felt a hand grip onto his shoulder. He stiffen as he turned his head, only to meet a pair of vibrant crimson, those orbs burning with emotion and the sudden press of flesh against his lips, "I'm sorry..."

And then his world went black.

Yugi blinked and blinked again until his vision cleared and he found himself staring at the ceiling. He frowned and glanced at his surroundings realizing he was in his own bed, in his room. Slowly, he sat up and rubbed his head, groaning. Ugh, I have such a headache… He tried to remember what happened earlier but his mind was coming up blank. He couldn't remember anything.

All he could remember is going to meet Anzu at the mall and acting as her pack mule and then...that was it. What happened? Did he pass out? Just then, someone knocked gently on his door, "Come in."

He looked up in time to see his grandfather enter the room with a tray of chicken soup, soda crackers with jelly, and a large bottle of water. Strange...his grandfather usually only brought such stuff when he was sick and as far as Yugi was concerned, he wasn't sick...was he? He didn't quite know. His mind was fuzzy and he was having a hard time getting a grasp on himself. "What...happened?" He asked slowly.

His grandpa chuckled and laid the tray on the foot of Yugi's bed, "You don't remember? You must've really knocked out then."

"Knocked...out?"

"Yes, and that Sennen boy brought you home. He explained that you had collapsed at the mall and said you were probably starved and dehydrated after hours of shopping around with Anzu."

Sennen…? "Yami brought me home?"

"He carried you all the way from the mall home." Grandpa shook his head, "I can only image the strange looks he got but I guess he's quite accustomed to that. Though, he's not as bad that town makes him out to be. He seemed rather concerned about you."

Yami...concerned about him? Yugi shook his head and slapped his hands against his cheeks to wake himself up. He must be dreaming, either that or he somehow wound up in an alternate universe. Yami never showed concern for anyone. Then again, Yugi remembered how the teen had helped him with his car, explaining he'd been doing his one good deed for the day. Ah, that must be it...doing his one good deed again. Yugi tried to reason with himself. "I see. Well, thank you for the food." He smiled brightly at the elder.

"Of course, my boy. You should really pay Yami a more formal thanks. After all, he did go through quite the trouble."

Yugi nodded and pulled the tray closer to him to get a taste of that chicken soup he loved. His grandfather then left him to finish his meal. Yugi glanced out his window and stared at Yami's house, noticing that his bedroom windows were open. Is Yami home? Just as he thought it, said teen walked into the room and turned his head to lock eyes with Yugi.

For a moment, Yugi remained rooted in his spot, trapped by Yami's stare as always until he shook his head and set his tray on the ground before climbing out of bed to walk over to his window. "Hey." He called out.

"What do you want, Mutou?"

"I just wanted to say thank you. My grandpa told me what you did for me, how you carried me home from the mall after I apparently fainted. You didn't have to go through all that trouble."

Yami rolled his eyes, "It was nothing, Mutou. I was-"

"Only doing your one good deed for the day?" Yugi finished, catching Yami off guard, "I know, Yami. Still, thank you."

"Well, you're welcome."

Yugi giggled seeing the slight pinkish hue color Yami's pale cheeks. The older teen glanced at him and arched a brow, "What are you giggling at, Mutou?"

"Nothing. I've just never seen you blush before is all."

"I'm not fucking blush-"

Yugi grimaced and shook his head, "Do you have to do that?"

"Do what?"

"Swear and cuss like that? I mean, is is necessary?"

Yami quirked a brow, his lips curving upward slightly in amusement but he quickly straightened out his expression, a scowl settling in on his features. "Why? Does it bother you?"

"Just a little."

"Well just look at all the fucks I give."

Yugi laughed slightly as he leaned against his window sill, shaking his head. Yami did the same and tilted his head, "What's so funny now?"

"It's just that, well, this is the longest conversation we've ever had and also the most civil. It's...different. Well, aside from the cursing anyway."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah." Yugi smiled thoughtfully, "It's nice. We should do this more often."

Yami scoffed and pulled away from the window sill, "Don't get your hopes up, Mutou. After all, you wouldn't want to get caught up with a 'monster' like me, now would you?"

Yugi smile fell as he glanced away for moment but slowly, that smile returned, a warm, gentle smile that caused Yami to stiffen, "You're not a monster, Yami. And I don't believe you're as bad as everyone else makes you out to be. If you were, you wouldn't have helped me. You say it's your one good deed for the day but, I know you're just really being nice. But don't worry, it'll be our little secret. I'll make sure no one else finds out that the cold, scary Yami Sennen is actually a good guy." He winked and pushed himself away from the window sill.

"Nice talking to you, Yami." He then walked away to take his tray back downstairs to the kitchen.

Yami stared at the empty space where Yugi had been before the smallest of smiles formed upon his lips. "Nice talking to you, too, Mutou."

Take me to Church (cover by Matt McAndrew)Original by Hozier

My lover's got humor,

She's the giggle at a funeral,

knows everybody's disapproval,

I should've worshipped her sooner

If the heavens ever did speak

She's the last true mouthpiece

Every Sunday's getting more bleak

A fresh poison each week

"We were born sick" you heard them say it

I was born sick

But I love it

Command me to be well

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

If I'm a pagan of the good times

My Lover's the sunlight

To keep the goddess on my side

She demands a sacrifice

Drain the whole sea

Get something shiny

Something meaty for the main course

That's a fine looking high horse

What you got in the stable?

We're got a lot of starving faithful

That looks tasty

that looks plenty

this is hungry work

No masters or kings

When the ritual begins

There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin

In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene

Only then I am human

Only then I am clean

** Nothing to do with chapter. I just really like this song right now. :D