For Play
By: fruor

Summary: (AU) All Yugi wanted was to gain his freedom. All Atemu wanted was a good entertainment. All chance wanted was for them to meet and a circus was more than willing to help. YYY.

Rating: T

Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance

Pairings: (main) YYY, (sub) BR, SJ, MM

Disclaimer: Kazuki Takahashi owns YGO.

Note: Oh, and the only reason I made Yugi a beast master, Ryou a magician and Malik a knife thrower is that I'm sick and tired of seeing the Hikaris so helpless that all they do when kidnapped is wait for their respective Yamis XS No offense meant. I just want them to be able to do something other than sit, wait, think and be kind XP I'll be able to write them better...I think.

II. The Circus is in Town

They had never been to any of the capitals in the lands they visited. There were problems of security and trust that a circus could never pass. They were a bunch of rogues from different parts of the world, coming together in one show. It was practically impossible for any country to trust them when their origins are so vague.

Then Imperium came. Their request had been approved quite sloppily, as though the person was putting the seal while sleeping but the point was, the capital had welcomed them.

"Yugi! Aren't you coming?" Anzu waved her hand, calling the beast master away from his animals.

"No thanks, Anzu. I can't leave the animals here alone, especially here in the capital." Yugi looked at the open cages of the beasts then at the trapeze performer and the others with her, "I don't want them to cause trouble. We might get kicked out. It'd be a waste if we can't perform on our first trip to the capital." He absent-mindedly stroked the mane of one of the nearby chimaeras.

"But it's the capital, Yug!" Jou complained, "Can't you leave your pets for once? We don't always get a pass into them!"

But the argument was useless. The beasts listen to no one but Yugi. Ryou would be able to lead them since he's the one who takes care of the cages along with the beast master but it was only Yugi who could calm the creatures in an agitated state…which happens every time an unfamiliar person dares to approach them.

It was a wonder to them how Yugi, who was always mistaken as a child, could handle the creatures as if they were his own hands.

"I'm sorry, Jou." Yugi bowed apologetically, "Maybe next time?" he turned to them with pleading velvet eyes.

Jou, Honda and Otogi groaned. It was those eyes again, eyes that no one could refuse – except Ryou that is, since he has his own version of them. But it worked like a charm for the ladies.

Mai hit Jounouchi sharply on his waist with her elbow. "Don't groan. It's rude. Yugi's just being cute." Shizuka and Anzu nodded in agreement.

"You should get going now, guys." Yugi looked at the skies, "Pegasus only gave you until this afternoon to search the town, right? And that includes promoting the show." He pointed out. He would very much like to explore the town but getting to stay with the animals saves him from any scolding their ringmaster would give.

The circus performers nodded. Getting on the bad side of the ringmaster was definitely something none of them would like to achieve. Pegasus had this was of attacking their weaknesses and fears…as though he could read your mind.

"We'll just buy you some new clothes, Yugi." Ryou offered, smiling softly at the shorter teen, "Oh, and is there anything else you want to add to the list?" he dug a hand in his long loose sleeves and took out a scroll of parchment.

The beast master shook his head, "We've got enough food for the animals but if you do see some good treats for Rome and Remus," he jabbed his thumb towards the pair of large red hyenas that looked as though they were interbred with bulldogs, "They're pretty restless today."

"Oh yes, the hellhounds." Ryou could still remember when they got those hounds. They attacked everybody they saw…except Yugi, that is. The beasts always acted like perfect little angels around the tamer.

"See you, Yugi!"

- - -

To say the town was beautiful would be an understatement. Behind the tall grey walls of stone that bordered the village were stores and buildings of all kinds, towering over the circus performers like the hydra they kept. The other towns were swept away from their memories. The little and barely noticeable bungalows were replaced with two-and-three-story houses of stone, painted in blues and red that were faded because of time. The wooden frames of the said houses seemed to shine under the bright sunshine.

Shops and restaurants decorated the streets with people dressed in their work clothes going in and out of the buildings. A few overly decorated carriages were parked in front a few of the restaurants, letting the dukes and duchesses alight. Around the fountain in the middle of the town, children from the lower social status were playing, splashing each other with the fountain waters and throwing roughly made balls at each other.

It was all façade, they knew. A town this rich and big would surely have a rundown part where the poor are left, separating them from the rich but they were not here to be heroes or to say which should be done or not. They were simply circus performers, striving to support themselves like everyone else.

"Why'd us get stuck with the girls again?" Jou crossed his arms, leaning at the stone walls of the store behind him. Above his head, a sigh that said "The Perfect Stitch" hung on a metal bar, swinging slowly with the passing wind. "We could've gone with Ryou and Malik, you know."

Otogi shrugged, sitting upon a nearby barrel, "You know how forceful the girls are. They said they needed somebody to carry their bags." He sighed, "Just so happens that that somebody were us."

"And besides, don't you want to keep watch over Shizuka?" Honda glanced at his "partner-in-act" then turned back to the glass windows of the store, trying to get a peek of the girls and whatever it was they were buying. Just clothes, but they were also buying for Yugi and most of the troupe. With a sigh, he gave up and focused his attention on Jou's ramblings.

"Yeah, I know. It should've been Ryou who'd gone with them girls." The blonde jester grumbled, "He'd be able to carry all them bags. You know, with his freaky space magic thingy." He made gesture with his hands, attempting to copy a magician, "Or at least Malik should be here with us."

"Ryou's restocking our supplies. And Malik…well…is being Malik. He must be going through all the armories they have here. Ryou's just there to keep the guy in line." Honda pointed out.

The knife master had an obsession over his daggers and the only people that Malik actually give his knives to are Shizuka and Ryou: Shizuka because she's his assistant, much to Jou's protests, and Ryou because he's the only one who could hide Malik's "precious" knives in a safe place no one could hide.

"But still—"

"Be a man, Jou!" A brown bag slammed on the jester's face, "A man is supposed to help a lady carry her stuff." Anzu flipped her hair, sticking her nose high in air like the royal ladies they've passed a while ago. Behind her, Mai and Shizuka were covering their snickers with their hands.

"That's right." Mai stepped forward, throwing her own bags to the jester's arms, "Be a gentleman, Jou. Show these people how courteous the men of the circus are!" she hollered, calling the attention of most of the people in the streets.

Shizuka approached her brother, clutching her paper bags to her chest. She had no plans on helping the trapeze performers with their little show. She definitely did not want to burden the last of her family with more luggages…

"And here's some more!" Jou stumbled backwards, falling ungracefully on his butt.

…not unless Mai and Anzu grabbed her bags from her and threw it at her brother.

"Sorry." The redhead bowed, passing a worried look to her brother.

Jou struggled to get up but only fell down as he tripped over one of the bags. Otogi and Honda burst out laughing.

"Shut up, you idiots!" He threw bags towards the two.

Otogi caught the wrapped clothing with ease, placing it on the barrel he was sitting upon but Honda, who was busy laughing, got hit squarely on the face. The brunette jester stumbled back, rubbing his face with the back of his hand. Honda turned vengeful eyes at his partner-in-act, gripping the package tightly. "Hey! Don't try to mix me with your stupidity!" he threw the package at the blonde.

Jou stood up and caught the item thrown at him as he threw the bags around him at Honda, who caught them with ease and threw them back. With furious determination, they kept catching and throwing the packages, not once noticing the little crowd forming around them.

"Ooh…what is that they're doing? They're pretty good." One of the watchers praised. A few of the people around him nodded. They've never seen such good tossing and catching.

Mai chuckled, "It's called juggling." She offered, "If you want to see more of it, you could drop by our circus, just at the western end of the town." She pointed to the west wall where a lazy flag was flowing with air: the only sign of the circus tents.

"The circus?" the man repeated with a curious voice.

The blonde nodded, passing a flyer to the man, "I'll look forward to seeing you there." She winked at the man, smiling at the light blush across his face.

Across Mai, Shizuka and Anzu were already handing flyers to everyone in the crowd with their own ways of flirting. Flirting always did bring more customers.

Only when Otogi threw the package in his hands did the juggling stopped. The bags flew in the air, hitting Jou and Honda's faces. The two fell down, clutching their head to stop the slight dizziness. The crowd around them burst into loud and uncontrolled laughter, snapping the jesters from their so-called fight.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Jou and Honda bowed, "Just come to the circus to see the real show!"

Applause rang through the crowd as it slowly dispersed, all of them talking about the circus.

"That went well." Mai smiled, "You guys pick up the bags you were playing with! Make sure none of them are damaged!" she hollered, walking towards Anzu and Otogi. Shizuka had rushed to help her brother.

"Always works, doesn't it?" Anzu giggled, "I wonder when they'll catch on to us using them to promote the show."

The three trapeze performers looked at the two jesters. Jou was barking at Honda for touching Shizuka's hand.

"Probably never." Mai and Anzu agreed.

- - -

"Thank you." Ryou smiled at the butcher as a humongous pile of meat wrapped individually in brown paper. He conjured a bag of coins from his sleeves and pushed them to the counter, "You can drop off the cattle just at the west end of the town. You won't miss our tent." He took one of the wrapped meats in his hands and slipped them into his sleeves.

The butcher raised an eyebrow in question, "Maybe you should leave that here as well. We'll deliver it along with them cattle." He offered, watching the albino grab another one and put it inside his sleeves, "I'm sure we won't miss your tents. The circus, right?"

Ryou nodded enthusiastically, "Yes. Please come and see us if you have time. I guarantee you won't be disappointed." He grabbed more of the packets, stuffing them in his sleeves as though it was as normal as day. And for some reason, his sleeves never seem to run out of space. "Oh, and I can carry them all, sir. This won't be a problem." He covered the meat in a loose hug. As he lifted his arms away, all of them vanished.

"HOLY SHIT!" The butcher stumbled back, eyes wide in both amazement and fear. "How did, how did, how did you do that?" he pointed at the empty counter with shaking fingers.

"IT'S MAGIC!" A high-pitch squeal caught the attention of everyone in the meat house. A little girl tumbled out from the stairs behind the counter, running in excitement towards the albino. "It's magic! It's magic, right? It's circus magic!" she grabbed the performer's shirt, jumping up and down.

Ryou nodded, "Yes, it's circus magic." He his both of his hands into his sleeves, looking up in deep thought as though he was searching for something. His face lit up and he separated his palms, a long string of multi-colored cloths knotted together appeared between his outstretched arms.

The little girl jumped up and grabbed the knotted cloths from the albino but as soon as she touched them, they exploded into hundreds of butterflies, flying out of every opening in the butcher's shop. The child gasped then squealed in laughter. She ran toward the butcher, clinging to the man's leg and begged, "PAPA! Let's go watch the circus!"

The butcher looked at his daughter then at Ryou. He sighed then said, "They are pretty amazing." He nodded, "I guess we will go and see their show."

Ryou bowed in gratitude, "Thank you." He waved at the little girl then walked out of the store, giving a smile to the other curious customers who watched him closely with shocked eyes.

"You got them with that infinite-space thing of yours again?" Malik grinned, pushing himself from the wall he was leaning upon.

"I did not 'get them'. You know it's the only way to carry all of the stuff we bought." The magician raised his arms in the air as though to emphasize his point. Having the ability to open a fourth dimension was useful. He could store anything and everything he wanted in that fourth dimension and be assured that it will not be taken from him. After all, he was the only one who could open and close them.

The knife master grinned, "Maybe you should be a thief instead. You'd grab more moola that way."

Ryou rolled his eyes, "And steal the knives you can't afford?"

"Well, that's what friends are for…right?" Malik clasped his hands together, fluttering his eyelashes in an attempt to look cute.

The albino sighed, "You know that never works on me." Not that it works on anybody else. "Anyway, didn't you say you want to check out the weapons store? And you haven't done your fair share of promoting the circus." It was not only for the benefit of their ring master, it was for the circus itself. Without the money, they wouldn't be able to support themselves and heaven knows that Yugi would never let them eat the animals.

Malik smiled, eyes lighting up at the mention of his beloved weapon. It was talent, really, pure talent. His knives were like extensions of his hands. He never leaves the tent without one…especially since camping outside had its own dangers. The beast master may be able to stop wild animals but not bandits.

"Okay!" Malik grabbed the albino's arm, "Let's go buy my knives! I'll do that promotion thing there. They just need a bit of sharp throwing and we'll have them!" he laughed, flicking one of the knives hidden under his wrist. A couple of children were grabbed by their mother, pulling them out of the knife master's way.

Ryou sighed. But it seems like you're scaring them away instead.

- - -

It's the circus! The circus is finally here in town!

Mokuba stopped, catching his breath in front of the tall cream walls of the circus tent. He grinned and started walking to the back of the tent where the cages and carriages were. All the while, his eyes were focused on the red flag at the top of the tent, admiring his "fine work".

Then his eyes spotted the animals. He gasped in amazement. The only times he ever saw beasts like those were during his trips to the library. He was rarely out of the family grounds so it was no surprise. In fact, he had to sneak out of the town, dodging the guards his brother assigned to watch over him, just to get to the circus. But all of it was worth it.

"Oh! Look!" Mokuba exclaimed, talking to no one in particular, "A dragon!" he rushed to the sleek black dragon curled up near the trees. A metal fence ran around the dragon and a good part of the forest but with his trained eyes, he easily spotted the open gate at the side. He was not a stupid child. He knew that the circus had their animals trained better than dogs. If not, they wouldn't be able to put up their shows well so what harm was there approaching a sleeping reptile?

With careful steps – I don't need to be careful. This thing is harmless! – Mokuba approached the dragon, marveling at the dark scales that shone like diamonds, probably as hard as them as well. He wondered vaguely if he could get his brother to get him one of the scales. He took a deep breath and ran his fingers across the smooth scales.

Then a strong gush of wind awoke him from his reverie. Blood red eyes stared into dark pools. Mokuba fell down, his frame shaking stronger than a leaf in the wind. Those eyes…reminded him too much of…. "Your majesty…." He whispered, fear replacing his confidence.

The dragon roared, slamming his claws in front of the boy. Steam poured out of his mouth and Mokuba knew that it was his time to run away but as much as his mind screamed at him, his legs refused to move.

"CAMELOT!" The beast turned to the voice, steam dissipating into thin air. "What are you doing to that boy?"

A hand waved in front of Mokuba's face. His eyes focused on the figure blocking the calmed dragon from his view. "Your majesty?" he rubbed his eyes. I must be hallucinating…. , He shook his head. But I've never seen anyone that has the same hair as the king.

Did the boy just called me…? No, he must be shocked. Yes, that's right. Just shocked. "Excuse me? Are you alright?" The beast tamer smiled, "Don't worry about Camelot. He won't try to hurt you. At least not while I'm here." He extended his hand to boy who took it hesitantly.

Mokuba stood up. The "king" was smaller than he last saw him, almost as if he was just a year or two older than he was. Or maybe I got taller. , It was a pleasing thought since his brother is probably the tallest person in town. He should as well. Then the sight of violet made him thought otherwise.

This person was definitely not his highness.

"Hello?" Again, Yugi waved his hand over the boy's face. The boy had that dazed look since he dragged him out of the cage. This time, he made sure to lock the gate…but he never expected anyone to come…until this boy here. "Boy? What are you doing here?"

"Don't call me a boy!" Mokuba crossed his arms, "You're around my age as well!"

Now it was Yugi's time to pout. He was short, yes, but the boy didn't have to be so mean about it. "No, I'm 18." He defied, enjoying the shocked expression given to him, "So what are you doing here, boy? Did you get lost? How did you get into Camelot's cage? Most people don't usually go near a dragon."

"I thought he was tamed." Mokuba explained, eyes darting to the dragon's cage, "This is a circus after all. The animals should be tamed." He turned back to the beast master, "How come you weren't attacked?" he asked suspiciously.

Yugi laughed. "The name's Yugi Mutou." He took the boy's hand for a friendly shake, "I take care of the beasts. I'm the," he cleared his throat, "'Beast Master'. The animals are some of my good friends. They always listen to me…which is good since the rest of troupe usually get in trouble with them." A clear flash of Jou being bullied by the hydra played in his mind.

"Ooh." Mokuba said with new found interest in the beast tamer, "Then they're wild wild animals?" he sighed in relief that the show they'll see won't be faked, "It's a good thing I approved the papers then!"

"Approved the papers?" Yugi cocked his head in question, "What papers…uhm…."

"Call me Mokuba." The boy grinned, "My brother's the vizier in charge of trade of the country but then, he didn't want to approve your papers and I really wanted to see your show! So…well…I stole his seal and approved your papers myself." he proudly put a hand over his chest, laughing a little at his story.

"Then please accept our utmost gratitude!" Yugi genuflected, copying the knights and the viziers' praise of the king. Little did he know that the chimaeras behind him followed suit.

Mokuba laughed, eyes focused on the beasts instead of Yugi. "Your beasts would make good actors."

Yugi jerked his head over his shoulder and scowled mockingly at the chimaeras, "Now, Sancha, Cane, what did I say about respect?" he placed his palms on his hips, copying a certain blue-eyed brunette trapeze performer. The beasts whined, crouching down in apology.

Mokuba burst out laughing. The beast master may look like the king but he was nowhere near him. Because the king would never get caught being as playful as this.

- - -

"Mokuba! MOKUBA!"

When Seto Kaiba starts storming through the palace halls, screaming his little brother's name, it was a sign of an upcoming storm. It was no surprise to the palace that Mokuba had successfully fooled the vizier. In fact, they welcomed it. It was a spark out of the normal that everybody enjoyed…except people worse that Seto Kaiba…which seem to make the palace as their habitat. But the young Kaiba's pranks did no harm to anybody so it was a surprise to see the vizier complaining in front of the king.

"That…that…spoiled brat!" Of course, Seto Kaiba would forget that he was once that spoiled as well…maybe even worse. "MOKUBA! MOKUBA!" he turned to one of the nearby guards, "You! Go find my brother! NOW!"

Atemu smirked, leaning his chin on a palm. Seeing his cousin go crazy over a thirteen-year-old boy was always an amusing sight. "What did Mokuba do this time? Surely it's not as horrible as you make it to be and definitely not wrong enough to complain in front of your king."

The vizier turned to the king, slamming a colorful poster in front of his cousin's face. "This. This is what monstrosity my brother has created this time!"

Atemu blinked. What could be horrible about a colorful poster? , he smoothened the creases of the paper. His eyes quickly wandered to the slogan, "…'The greatest show in the world'…is it?" he smiled. Maybe I should go see this.

"He brought that…that children's show to the capital!" Seto pointed to the balconies of the throne room, to the barely noticeable red flag of the circus tents, "Who knows what kinds of things they are bringing here! They're probably showing a bunch of idiots throwing pies at each others faces! (1) I cannot even begin to explain how suspicious that circus is!"

The king's lips came into a tight frown. With that stated, watching the circus would probably be impossible for him. If he ever insisted on going, the show would probably be stripped to a bunch of dancers trapped in a lion cage, saying that this or that is dangerous. It would end up as a useless show.

Atemu sighed. So much trouble…. , he looked at the faraway flag his cousin had pointed. All noise of Seto's complaints was blocked from entering his ears. A sly smirk made its way to his lips.

Well, he could always sneak out.

- - -

Bright lights decorated the edges of the circus tent, illuminating the people in the long line formed at the side of the tent. People from all levels of the society formed the line. For now, all of them would be treated equally. And that was how Atemu wanted it. In this place, he'd never be recognized.

The king, now dressed in dull commoner's clothes, made his way to the line. He pressed his cap closer to his eyes, as though he was afraid some of these people would recognize him. Then his eyes captured a familiar carriage making its way to the tents. Quickly, he dashed away from the line, hiding behind one of the folds of the tent.

From the carriage alighted the too familiar form of a vizier in blue robes. Behind the vizier, a kid of 13 jumped enthusiastically off the carriage.

"Kaiba, huh. And he was the one complaining about the circus." Crimson eyes watched as the line parted into two, letting the vizier and his brother walk their way to the ticket booth, "Damn. Kaiba would surely recognize me, with or without the hair." He pushed his cap closer to his head.

I'd better find a different way to get in. , It was now or never. Once the palace finds out he was gone, the security around his room would thicken and by the time he could sneak out again, the circus would be gone.

With one last look, Atemu walked away from the lights, getting closer to the shadows behind the tent. A dull yellow light shone on the makeshift cages and carriages scattered at the back. He moved forward, ignoring the eerie songs of the crickets. Then the wind flew open a flap of the tent, revealing a back door.

Probably the backstage access. , The king smirked. I could live with that.

He rushed towards the entrance, not noticing the three pairs of yellow lights moving in the shadows. Then a low growl reached the king's ears. He turned around and saw the yellow lights…and the barely lighted snouts…but he could see clearly the large white fangs dripping with saliva.

Atemu took a step backwards, knocking down a couple of empty crates with his elbow. Don't crash loudly. , he pleaded but the crates paid no heed to him, crashing upon each other in a loud echoing bang.

"Hello?" A soft voice cut through the cricket's song, "Is anyone there?" This time, Atemu could sense a hint of fear and wondered why this person should be afraid when he was the one sneaking.

Crimson eyes darted left and right, looking for a place to hide but the only place he found was behind the remaining stacked up crates. Atemu grumbled but made his way behind the crates nonetheless, hoping that the shadows would hide him from anyone who approaches. He grabbed his head in an attempt to hide his face but found no cap to do so. A crisp curse escaped his lips as he spotted his cap lying over the heap of broken wood.

Between the cracks of the crates, the king saw a short person – A child? – cloaked in black leather appear from the shadows. He almost gasped when he saw the kid approach the monster who startled him and pat the three dog heads that appeared in the darkness.

"Mythos, why are you so noisy?" The child asked annoyed. "You'll get your turn next time. Rome and Remus are scheduled to appear today. You wait for your turn, okay?" The three-headed dog yipped uncharacteristically, licking the boy's face like a puppy.

This time, Atemu didn't stop the surprised gasp that escaped his lips as he heard rich laughter from the boy.

"Who-who's there?" The boy asked in alarm, "Please show yourself."

Atemu cursed under his breath. The boy would eventually find him no matter what he did so he might as well appear now. He stood up slowly, smoothing his clothes and dusting away what clung to his trousers. With a deep breath, he stepped into the light. Only then did he notice the coiled whip hanging at the boy's side.

So he's from the circus…. , The king thought in relief, At least he won't recognize me.

"You…you…you…." The boy's breathing became harsh and rough, as though he had seen a ghost.

Could he have recognized me? , In alarm, Atemu turned his eyes to the boy. No, impossible!

Then he was met with a rush of velvet purple.

(1) Mhmm…Jou is offended! XP

Okay, piece of info round two! Yugi's beasts: Hera, the hydra; a dozen horses (who else will drive the carriages?); Rome and Remus, the hellhound twins; four wolves; three falcons (for sending messages and such); Sancha and Cane, the chimaera couple; Mythos, the three-headed dog and finally, Camelot, the red-eyed black dragon (because I couldn't resist XD).

And Ryou's our beloved magician with the ability to hide anything and everything within his sleeves XD I thought it would fit well since his yami's a thief. Ryou himself would never be caught stealing but his skills would be perfect if he did. Wait, rephrase. Ryou's skills would be perfect for Bakura :)

Thanks to: Mach'isheen, Lady Laran, Angel's Charm, tai'sgirl23, KagomeGirl21, HOPPY-SAN2345, conkreen, silverwolf407, biacebaolck and Baka Shojo.