1A/N I'm on the move. The quicker I get this story over with the better. Okay, here is the next one. The plot gets as thick as it is going to get so pay attention. I don't own YGO

Chapter 17

Atemu laid with his head propped up against a pillow, starring at the ceiling. Yugi was laying horizontal to him with his head on the former king's chest. Atemu kept running his fingers through Yugi's hair in a soothing manner. They had been like this for hours. Not one said a word. However, both were thinking of what had happened over the past few days.

Yugi placed a hand on Atemu's chest and tightened his grip on the fabric. He felt safe. For the first time in a long time, too. After everything, Atemu still wanted him back. After everything he said, after everything he had done, Atemu forgave him immediately. Was it because he loved him or just knew Yugi would spend eternity beating himself up about it? Unaware of it, a tear rolled down Yugi's cheek and fell onto Atemu's chest.

After a few moments, Atemu felt the wetness and lifted his head to examine his hikari. He wasn't surprised. Tears were expected with the ordeal that Yugi had to go through. Atemu lifted himself up and carefully drew Yugi into his arms. This only made the tears come faster. Atemu didn't tell him to stop. That was what he normally did, to tell Yugi to be strong. But sometimes the tears need to fall.

Yugi huddled closer to Atemu, feeling his body warmth put a protective barrier around his body. Being next to Atemu was a feeling that he could describe perfectly. It was like being bathed in warm sunshine after waking up on a cold winters day. After a long while, the tears stopped. Yugi sighed deeply and sat up. He spun himself around to face Atemu. Silence held them both for a few more moments before Atemu opened his mouth. "We need to talk."

Yugi swallowed but nodded. Expecting the worst, a thousand horrible thoughts went through his mind. But one of them caught his attention more than the others. He wants to break up with me. Yugi looked to the floor of the dark room. He couldn't blame him though. "Yeah." Was all he could reply.

Atemu looked Yugi over before realizing what the younger was thinking. He put both hands on Yugi's shoulders, making the troubled teen look at him. Atemu shook his head, "It is not that kind of talk, aibou."

Yugi smiled softly at his nick name. Atemu hadn't used it in a longer time.

Atemu put his hands back at his side. He examined Yugi one more time before starting the long list of questions he had. "How is your head?" He asked as he lightly brushed away the golden bangs.

Yugi blinked. "Um." He paused. "Well...it feels better than it has felt in a few hours. It just feels like a dull roar right now. I just hope that Irakih doesn't make it hurt ag—,"

"He won't" Atemu growled firmly. "I'll kill him if he does." he concluded. "What has he been telling you?"

Yugi sighed and pulled his knees up to his chest. Where to begin? "It all started when I was back in that other world. These guys were forcing me into an alley to do God only knows what. I got this really bad migraine out of no where. Then it was almost as if I blacked out. I couldn't remember anything, but when I woke up, I was covered in blood." Yugi paused as he remembered the awful sight that came before him.

"Yugi?" Atemu asked softly.

Yugi looked at him. "I think I killed them." Yugi whispered. "At least, I think Irakih did. That was the first time that I felt...different. The next time was when we were being interrogated by the police. You and I were talking and for some reason I got angry. It wasn't at anything you particularly said, I just got angry. Something in my head was telling me that I couldn't trust you. That I should hate you." Yugi explained. He got up and started to pace the room.

Atemu remained silent, taking in everything Yugi had to say.

"I got so mad, and then my head started to hurt again. That was when I left. At that point, I was more afraid than angry. I didn't want what happened to those men to happen to you." Yugi continued. "The next thing I knew I was in my own mind, and Irakih was there. He told me that we were one. That it was him and I that were destined to rule the world."

Atemu broke in, "Rule the world?" When were these guys going to give it up?

Yugi nodded. "He told me that we had once before. Then he showed me..." Yugi paused, wondering if this was the right time to tell Atemu. He bit his lip, no more secrets. If they were ever going to be okay again, there had to be no more lies. 'He showed me a memory. From this life." Yugi finished, seeing Atemu's interest. "He showed me... or rather made me relive my death in this life."

Atemu blinked, a feeling a terror sweeping over him. "Why?" he asked almost angrily.

Yugi stopped pacing and sat next Atemu on the bed. "Because he wanted to show me that I was evil. That my people..these people I rule over now, hated me. They were the ones that killed me."

Atemu almost laughed but when he looked at Yugi's face, he realized he was serious. "Why did they kill you? What for?" Atemu pressed. He saw fear and shame flash through his hikari's eyes. Yugi adverted his gaze and tried to get up to pace again. Atemu grabbed his hand and kept him on the bed. "Yugi, you can tell me. Whatever it was, I'm sure it was no reason to kill you over—,"

"I killed you." Yugi blurted out. He yanked himself away from Atemu's grip and bolted towards the door.

Atemu, though stunned by Yugi's words, was quicker. As Yugi tried to throw open the door, the former pharaoh slammed it shut. "Yugi, its alright. I'm not mad." Atemu said as he tried to pull his hikari close. "It isn't your fault."

Yugi struggled to break free of Atemu's tough grip, tears rolling freely down his face. "Of course its my fault!" He shouted. "How can you say it isn't. I killed you. Irakih wanted me to kill you back there! I almost did it! I almost—,"

"You could have done a lot of things but you didn't Yugi. That is what matters." Atemu said softly. "Stop running away from me. Let me help you."

Yugi stopped struggling and starred at Atemu. He shook his head and looked away from the ever graceful king. "He made me like it." Yugi spat in disgust. Before Atemu could press further, Yugi kept going. "He made me feel powerful. He filled me with greed, want...lust even. He..."Yugi trailed off, new, angry tears forming in his eyes. "He tainted me."

Atemu pulled Yugi close to him, holding him in a tight hug. Yugi sobbed against him as he rubbed his back. "Hush now." Atemu soothed, gently picking up the teenager. "You need your rest. Sleep." Atemu almost commanded. He placed Yugi back onto the bed and bent over to kiss his lips. He wiped away a few tears before sitting back up again. Amethyst eyes watched him closely but sleepily.

Yugi closed his eyes and allowed peaceful sleep to claim him. Just before he was taken into the warm darkness's embrace, he heard the former king whisper to him, "I love you."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Yugi moaned slightly and he felt warmth around his entire body. He opened his eyes to find it to be still dark outside. Yugi stirred and tried to roll over but found he couldn't. Yugi looked down to see strong tan arms wrapped protectively around his body. Yugi smiled as he turned over to see Atemu sleeping peacefully beside him. Yugi watched him breathing slowly in and out. He always looked so peaceful when he was sleeping.

Yugi felt the smile stay with him and Atemu stirred slightly. He opened a crimson eye and saw Yugi starring at him. Atemu moaned slightly as he closed both eyes and stretched. Yugi blushed slightly when Atemu looked at him amused. "I didn't know starring was one of your hobbies." Atemu commented as he grabbed Yugi's form again and pulled him closer, if possible.

Yugi's face turned a scarlet. "Sorry." Yugi replied, finally looking away.

Atemu chuckled and brought a kiss to his hikari's forehead. "I didn't say I didn't like it." Atemu stated before swinging his legs off the bed and walking over to the balcony. Yugi followed him and gazed at the city below him. Atemu did the same. Daylight was starting to break on the horizon, bringing a beautiful view to the couple. "Reminds me of home." Atemu stated.

Yugi looked uncomfortably at the former king and sighed. He knew he wasn't talking about the game shop at him. He was talking about where he truly belonged. "Do you miss it?" Yugi asked. "Egypt, I mean?"

Atemu sighed as well. "Sometimes." He answered truthfully. Remembering Mahado's little performance earlier yesterday made him think otherwise. Should he tell Yugi now or later. Later would be better. His poor hikari had already gone through enough. Atemu brought Yugi closer to him by wrapping his tan arm around his waist.

Yugi leaned against his yami. "Do you regret coming back?"

Atemu frowned and looked down at Yugi. "What do you mean?" Atemu asked.

"Do you regret leaving paradise for me?" Yugi asked. A question that had been irking him since their argument during the interrogation.

Atemu felt a lump form in his throat. He had been expecting this but hadn't quite found an answer for. Did he regret leaving his own life to be with Yugi? Not exactly. Though he did miss it, Yugi was his life. "No." Atemu stated simply. "Paradise is here with you. I do miss my family, my old friends. However, if I would have stayed with them and they had asked me whether I regretted leaving you all, my answer would be different. I did regret leaving you and our friends, and I loved you. That is why I returned." Atemu explained.

Yugi relaxed against him. "I'm glad you came back. I hope I haven't done or said anything too terrible to make you regret coming back." Yugi admitted. "I never meant any of those things that I said."

"I know." Atemu replied, smelling Yugi's hair.

Sudden shouting came from the corridor below them. Yugi and Atemu straightened and listened for what was going on. "The king is dead! The king is dead!" Came the shouts from below.

Yugi lost his breath and looked over at Atemu who looked at him with concern. "Oh no." Yugi whispered before bolting towards the door. This was how it started, how all the violence in Yugi's memory began. The death of his father. Atemu rushed after him as they ran out of the room and down the corridor. Yugi veered the corner. He had no idea where he was going, but something inside of him was leading him to where he knew his father was. Then he saw Ashley. She sat in the corning, crying and shaking. Yugi kneeled beside her as Atemu caught up. "Ashley, what happened?" Yugi asked in a shaky voice.

Ashley looked up at him and sobbed loudly. "T-there was so-o much blood." Ashley stammered, rocking back and forth. "I've ne-never seen so much b-blood."

Atemu kneeled next to hear as well. "Ashley, where?" he pressed, sensing Yugi's urgency.

Ashley pointed down the corridor where they saw loads of guards bolting down the hallways connected to it. That was all Yugi needed, he rushed down the corridor. He heard Atemu telling him to wait up but he kept going. Irakih was doing this to get to him. He knew it. Yugi rounded the corner and found guards standing at the doorway of what must have been his father's room.

Yugi pushed his way past them. They starred stunned at the scene before them. Some were crying, some where angrily shouting about who could have done such a thing. Crimson blood was splashed all over the walls. A figure lay in the blood stained sheets, barely recognizable. Yugi looked away, nausea tearing apart his stomach. The smell of blood was too much. Yugi turned and backed out of the room. Many guards bowed before him, some touching his shoulder to make sure he was alright.

It felt strange. Yugi barely knew the man now dead in that room, but he still felt connect to him. Yugi bit his lip and took a deep breath. A guard knelt beside him and put his hand on his shoulder. "We have a suspect, sire." He stated, "By order of the priest, he is being taken to the dungeon now."

Yugi stood and put a brave look on his face. He knew who it was and that seeing him wasn't a good idea, but he had to. "Take me to him." Yugi growled. The guards walked him down the stairs about four flights. Where did Atemu go? Yugi wondered as he looked around. I thought he was right behind me. Yugi worried that without Atemu there he wasn't going to be able to stand up to Irakih. Yugi shook his head. His love for Atemu would help him, even if he wasn't actually there with him. Perhaps he is helping Ashley. Poor girl.

Yugi entered the cold dungeon and wrapped his arms tight around his body. It was cold. He shivered as the first gate was unlocked. There was much commotion going on in the next room. Guards were yelling and so was someone else. That voice was very recognizable. Yugi went past the other guards to get to the room. He was stopped by a guard but not before he saw him. "Atemu!" Yugi shouted in shock.

Atemu was yelling at one of the guards who was locking him in a cell. He saw Yugi and immediately quieted down. A guard yanked Yugi away from the door and into the room across the hall. He heard Atemu yell for him but his attention were cut off by the guard questioning him. "That man in the next room killed your father."

Yugi shook his head, "No! You have the wrong man! He was with me all night. We were in his room." Yugi rushed to explain. Okay Yugi calm down. It is just a simple mistake. We can fix it and point the finger to Irakih.

The guard disagreed. He bowed his head respectfully before continuing. "The priest saw him leave your father's room about two hours ago. He thought they were discussing plans but when a guard checked an hour later, he was dead. I'm sorry, my prince. But we have the right man."

Yugi refused to believe any of it. "I know him! He wouldn't do anything like that! Believe me. As Prince I demand that you let him go!" Yugi shouted. He could hear Atemu in the other room demanding to see him. There was the sound of something being hit and then silence. Yugi felt himself becoming uneasy.

The guard bowed again, "I'm sorry, my prince. But I can't take orders from you until you have become king. For now, I take orders from the priest that caught this fiend."

Yugi growled. "Don't call him that! I was with him the entire time! He didn't do it!" Yugi shouted.

The guard looked slightly confused. "It is barely day break. You're telling me that you were awake the entire time, watching him?" The guard questioned.

Yugi faltered. "Well, no." He said with a small voice, "But I was only asleep for an hour or two tops! When I woke up, he was sleeping beside me. You're telling me he killed my father and then just went right to sleep? No person with morals could do that!" Yugi explained, desperate. "My father is dead. That makes me the king now. As king, I demand that you let him go!"

The guard shook his head. "I'm sorry. But you have not been put under oath yet. Until that time, the priest will take the king's place."

Yugi crossed his arms in frustration. "Then I demand to see this priest and Pharaoh Atemu." Yugi said defiantly. "As prince I dare say that I have the right to do that."

The guard opened his mouth to protest but immediately complied, he allowed Yugi to pass while telling a guard to fetch the priest. Yugi made his way into the room where Atemu was being held to find him on the floor on his knees. The side of his mouth was bleeding. One of the guards must have hit him.

Yugi kneeled by the cell and looked angrily at the only two guards in the room. "Who hit him?!" He screamed enraged. There was nothing but silence. "I said who hit him?!" Yugi shouted louder this time. "Did I give any of you permission to hit any of the prisoners? You are not to lay a hand on him, is that understood?!" Yugi asked. Both guards nodded and bowed.

Yugi reached through the bars to put his hand on Atemu's shoulder. He looked at Yugi, who could have sworn had fear in his eyes. "Yugi, I didn't do it." He said, desperately.

Yugi sighed, leaning up against the bars to tough Atemu's face and to try to clean the blood off him. "I know. You don't have to convince me." Yugi said adding a hiss to the end and turning toward the guards. When he looked back, Atemu was smiling at him fondly. "What?" Yugi asked.

Atemu shrugged. "You sounded like me in there." he gestured towards the hall.

Yugi gave a promising smile. "I guess it is in the blood." Yugi said confidently. "I promise to get you out of this."

Atemu's smile vanished. "He is trying to get us to play right into his hand."

Yugi nodded, "I know."

With that, a hooded individual appeared in the doorway. "Get out of here. I wish to speak to the prince and this traitor alone." Came a cruel voice that Yugi recognized very well. Atemu must have sensed it too, he stood immediately and brought Yugi up with him. Yugi felt Atemu's arms reach through the cell and try to wrap around him. Once the guards had left, the man lifted the hood and smiled at the couple. "Miss me?" Irakih asked.

Atemu growled as Irakih advanced, "You lay a finger on him..." Atemu said through clenched teeth.

Irakih stopped and smiled in amusement. He looked at Yugi and then back at Atemu. "Well, seeing that you're in there, I dare say there isn't much you're going to be able to do about it." He smiled and looked at Yugi. "Come now." He said laying out a hand. Yugi felt his head start to ache and didn't know if that was Irakih or Atemu's panic he was sensing.

Yugi pressed himself further against the cell. "What do you want?" Yugi asked.

Irakih smiled, "You know what I want." he said, looking at Atemu. "He will die by your hand. There isn't anything you can do to resist it." Irakih said.

Yugi took a deep breath. "It isn't going to happen." Yugi said confidently.

Atemu tightened his hold on Yugi, making Yugi actually feel more confident. Confident in the fact that he knew Atemu truly cared about him. With that belief, he knew there was no way that Irakih could control him again. Yugi could smell fear coming off Atemu. He turned to see the former pharaoh starring at him with his usual poker face on. Yugi took his arms and held Atemu's hands around him.

Irakih frowned at the sight of the two bonding deeper. "Come with me now." Irakih growled.

Yugi kept his gaze on Atemu.

Irakih stepped forward, "If you don't, I could oblige the guards to come in here and kill him." Yugi let out a sharp gasp and turned to Irakih, fear in his eyes. "Don't think I won't. I would much prefer to see you kill him but I can compromise." He stated, nkowing his plan was working.

"Yugi." Atemu's voice held warning and concern, not for his life, but the life of his hikari.

Yugi looked back at Atemu and smiled. He pried Atemu's arms off him and stepped away. Yugi took Atemu's hands in his own. Atemu looked confused and somewhat angry. "This has to end." Yugi said letting go of Atemu's hands and walking around to Irakih, who grabbed his hand and started to yank him out the door. Yugi turned back to Atemu who looked after him with worry glazed in his eyes. Trust me, Atemu. Yugi spoke with his heart.

Atemu closed his eyes, hearing Yugi's words. I love you, aibou.

Yugi turned around towards Irakih, victory and love on his mind. I know.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

THE END (create your own ending)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Just kidding! I'm not that mean. You guys are too great for that! I like how I ended that chapter though. Kinda a cliffy but you all will get over it. Here are the thanks.