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Chapter 3

Dreaming of You

"Where's that sister of yours Atemu?"

Atemu looked up from his book. He blinked, surprised to find Kaiba Seto hovering over him. "What happened to Jounouchi-kun?"

"Atemu." Kaiba narrowed his eyes.

Atemu chuckled before sliding the book on to ground. "Sorry."

"You really have changed."

"What do you mean?" Atemu questioned. He leaned closer to Kaiba, blinking.

"Inu told me you've been working at the hospital, taking care of some shrimp… called… err."

"Yuugi, and he's not a shrimp." Atemu slapped. Kaiba blinked. Slowly a small smirk formed on his face as he watched Atemu fumble with his books. Atemu never fumbled with anything.

"Whoa! Is Atemu in love?"

"What!" The books slipped from Atemu's hands and hit the sidewalk with a loud bang. A small 'o' formed on his lips before he quickly brushed it away. "I… that's absurd!"

"Then why you stammering?" Kaiba's grin widened. "Well, well, well. I always thought you had a heart of ice."

"Speak for yourself," Atemu growled. He bent down and scooped up his books. A hand slipped onto his arms, stopping him. Atemu blinked before looking up. Kaiba continued to smirk. Atemu frown widened.

"Wipe that smirk off your face, Kaiba-kun. I love Anzu!"

"And that's why she's going to America for a year."

Atemu's eyes narrowed. He pushed Kaiba's arm away before standing up. He narrowed his eyes. He grumbled in aspiration before stomping off leaving a very amused Kaiba chuckling in the distant.

"Damn that Kaiba! What's he know about love? Doesn't even have the guts to ask Jounouchi-kun out," Atemu hissed under his breath. "I don't love Yuugi. Anzu's the one I… love."

Yet for some reason, the closer he got to the hospital, the less sure he became.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Atemu-kun!"

Hearing Yuugi's bell like voice, seeing his unblemished skin, Atemu couldn't help but wonder how right Kaiba was.

"Play a game with me?"

"Sure," Atemu nodded. As he followed Yuugi to his bedroom, seeing just how innocent Yuugi was, he realized just how much he cared for the boy. As Yuugi explained the rules of Monster World to him, Atemu knew. As much as he loved Yuugi, they both had their own lives to live. He was the heir to Masaki Corp. He was betrothed to Anzu, and as much as he hated his father. Atemu understood that he had to marry Anzu, no matter what. His father had given him a future – maybe one that he hated, but nevertheless a future. He had to respect the old man's one wish.

After all… he had promised him…

"Atemu, I want to tell you something."

"Yes, Otousan."

"What do you think of Anzu?"

"She's really nice."

The old man chuckled. He ruffled the boy's bangs. "I'm glad Atemu because I want to tell you something before the party tonight."

"What?" The boy's crimson red eyes widened.

"What do you think about marrying Anzu?"

"Marrying? I…I guess."

"Atemu-kun?"

"Huh?" Atemu looked up, yet seeing Yuugi's smile as he handed him a game piece. He felt his heart shatter. As much as he knew, he could not have Yuugi. He knew that he longed for the boy.

"Yuugi." Atemu breathed out the boy's name. Yuugi looked up, a pair of dice in his hands. He looked so beautiful – an innocent angel. "What's your deepest wish?"

"Ne?" Yuugi blinked. Atemu leaned over and took the dice from the boy. He lazily dropped them before cupping his hands over Yuugi's face. A faint line of red appeared on the boy's face.

"I… I don't know." Yuugi muttered.

"Surely, there is… something." Atemu muttered. His voice dropped. Neither spoke, as if both knew the taboo they could commit or prevent. Still they stayed like that… Atemu's hands cupped around Yuugi's face. Their lips inches from each other, yet they felt worlds apart.

For… neither had ever touched the other with their bare skins.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Slowly summer disappeared into fall.

"Hey Atemu-kun!"

"Ne?" The boy looked up from his textbook. "Jounouchi-kun."

An excited blonde ran over to Atemu. He beamed. He waved a deck of cards in front of the other's face. Atemu blinked, confused. "Yes."

"You forgot?" Jounouchi asked mortified. "Duel Tournament, biggest one of the century, in Tokyo!"

"Oh," Atemu's mouth widened. He chuckled. "That. Sorry, Jounouchi-kun. Too many things on my mind."

"The duel king forgot about a tournament! That's… a crime!"

"Shut it Inu," a growl from a certain young man split the air.

"Kaiba," Jounouchi growled. He flung around; his fists rose. Kaiba easily grabbed them before twisting Jounouchi around.

"Now that the Inu is under my grasp," Kaiba smirked. Atemu blinked before slowly a small smirk formed over his face. "You better start preparing Atemu. I'm going beat you in that tournament."

Atemu's smirk widened. "Sure, Kaiba-kun over my dead body. I got to go, just don't do too much to Jounouchi-kun." Atemu chuckled. He disappeared into the distance leaving a fuming Kaiba and an equally confused Jounouchi.

Yet as Atemu neared the hospital and gazed up at the tenth story floor, he felt a dip in his stomach. He suddenly realized he had never told Yuugi he was the Duel King. He wondered if Yuugi even knew what Duel Monsters were. Yet somehow, as he entered the elevator, he realized. What bugged him the most was that this would be the first time since he met Yuugi, that they wouldn't see each other for days.

As Atemu entered Yuugi's rooms, he found the boy curled up, fast asleep on the couch. The sight of the boy, dressed in a hospital gown, asleep took Atemu's breath away. He suddenly noticed Yuugi had extraordinary long eye lashes that curled at the end. His pale, peach skin tone cast an angelic glow around him.

"Atemu-kun?" Yuugi whispered.

The teen looked down, confused. "Yuugi, you're awake."

The boy nodded. He sat up a little sheepish. "Sorry, I think the medication made me sleepy."

Atemu felt a dip in his stomach. He always seemed to feel so helpless when Yuugi talked about his medication and illness so lightly. "Hey Yuugi."

"Ne?" The boy looked up. He watched as Atemu sat down. A frown ceased the teen's face.

"Yuugi, I haven't been all that honest with you about who I am."

"Huh?" Yuugi cocked his head. "You're Mazaki Atemu. You're going to run Mazaki Corp someday and marry…"

Atemu chuckled. He lightly silenced the boy with his finger. "No, no. Yes I am all that stuff, but I'm someone else too."

"Like a superhero?" Yuugi asked. His eyes widened. Atemu couldn't help but chuckle.

"Well… I guess. Maybe in some people's eyes. Yuugi…" Atemu sighed. "Have you ever heard of Duel Monsters?"

"Yeah!" Yuugi grinned. "My grandfather runs a game shop! He sells tons of dueling cards! I even have a deck!" His face clouded over. "I just wish I had someone to play with."

"Yuugi."

"Ne?"

"Would you mind terribly if I didn't come visit you for a week?"

The boy cocked his face. He looked up… a little disappointed. "What's that got to do with Duel Monsters?"

"Well, there's a duel tournament next weekend. And I kind of got to show up since I'm the reigning…" Atemu looked over at Yuugi. The boy cocked his head confused. "Duel King."

Yuugi's eyes immediately widened. His amethyst eyes grew to be plate sized. A large 'o' formed on his lips. "You're… the Duel King?"

Atemu nodded. "Yeah."

"That's awesome." Immediately Yuugi looked down. "I wish I could watch you duel."

"Hey." Atemu grinned. He lightly cupped the boy's cheek. "We can duel sometimes. Didn't you say you have a deck?"

"Really?" Yuugi grinned.

"Uh huh," Atemu whispered. His voice dropped as he stared, captivated, by Yuugi's glaze.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

One week later, a tired Atemu walked into Yuugi's suite. The young boy immediately bounded up to him. A look of anticipation and wonderment filled his eyes.

"Atemu-kun! Did you win? Did you win?"

Suddenly, the weeklong tournament and his father's statements that he was wasting too much time on dueling melted away. Seeing Yuugi's longing face filled with admiration. It felt like he won a thousand trophies.

"What you think?"

"Definitely. The duel king never loses." Yuugi stated.

Atemu chuckled. He ruffled Yuugi's bangs. The boy immediately pouted.

"I don't know about that Yuugi. You're pretty strong yourself. Another duel?"

"Another duel!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

And slowly, time passed for Yuugi and Atemu. Fall became winter. The days grew shorter and colder.

After a long day with Yuugi, Atemu walked out of the hospital. He blinked… feeling the snowflakes cascade down on his cheeks. He rubbed his hands together attempting to get warm. He sighed as he looked up at the full moon. It seemed particularly round and yellow.

I wish you could see it Yuugi. I know you would love it.

"Hey Atemu-kun!"

The teen spun around. His eyes widened. Standing behind him was… Kaiba. He wasn't in his limo, but instead standing beside a motorcycle. "You ride Kaiba-kun? Aren't you still mad I beat you again?"

"I'm not like Jounouchi. I get over my losses easily."

"Jounouchi?" Atemu smirked. "Give up calling him the 'mutt'?" Kaiba narrowed his eyes, yet Atemu noticed something strange about the young man. He immediately stopped laughing. "Care to take a walk?"

Kaiba simply nodded. He locked his motorcycle next to Atemu's. Slowly, they walked around Domino's streets. First, neither talked. They simply basked in each other's troubles, for both knew they were more alike than they were willing to admit.

It was hours later. After a quick stop at a local restaurant that Atemu broke the silence. "Kaiba."

"Yes."

"It's almost Christmas."

"I've noticed." Kaiba flicked his eyes over at looming Christmas tree standing in center square. It was covered with lights, ornaments, and a beautiful crystalline angel at the top.

"It's a perfect time to give the ones you care about something."

"Atemu." Kaiba's eyes narrowed. Atemu quickly silenced Kaiba.

"Kaiba, love happens more than once, but true love only happens once. Don't be a fool." Atemu stated, yet as he spoke. His eyes appeared forlorn and distant. Slowly, he unlocked his motorcycle. His hands suddenly felt cold. His heart seemed to have shattered. Only then did he realize, how much that young boy meant to him…

"Atemu!"

The duel king turned. His eyes looked far away.

"I owe you one."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Atemu-kun!" An overly excited voice called out his name followed by a sea of 'shh'.

The teen looked up bewildered from his book. "Jounouchi-kun?"

A blonde mass of hair appeared in front of him. A wide grin appeared on his face. "You won't believe what just happened?"

"What?" Atemu looked down uninterestedly at his watch. He was going to the hospital soon to spend Christmas Eve with Yuugi.

"Seto just asked me out!"

"What?" Atemu's eyes widened before a smirk ceased his face.

"Well it was more of a 'you belong to me 'inu'', but what can you expect from that spoiled brat right?"

Atemu chuckled. He closed his tomb. "Wow. I'm impressed."

"Well, for some reason Seto wants to invite you to Christmas dinner at his mansion. Mokuba and Shizuka will be there. You know get away from the old man… the mansion with … Anzu gone and all." Jounouchi added quickly.

"Oh," Atemu fumbled with his books. "I can't. I promised Yuugi I'd spend Christmas with him."

"The kid you're babysitting?" Jounouchi asked mortified. "Why?"

"I'm not babysitting him, Jounouchi." Atemu snapped. "He's a cool kid okay." With that the teen disappeared from the library leaving an utterly confused Jounouchi.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Atemu-kun!" Yuugi bounded for him as he entered Yuugi's room. The boy seemed extraordinarily happy. "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, Yuugi." Atemu smiled. "I got you something."

Yuugi's eyes widened as the teen pulled out a large box. It had taken Atemu forever to get the box screened at security. At first, he was afraid the persistent and annoying doctor wouldn't let him bring in Yuugi's gift. "You didn't have to Atemu-kun." Yuugi blushed.

"It's Christmas." Atemu shrugged his shouldered. Yuugi nodded. He shyly took the box out of Atemu's hands.

"Oh! I want you meet some people." Only then did Atemu realize the normally quiet room was filled with the sounds of talking adults, and one seemed very familiar.

Atemu chuckled as Yuugi dragged him into the dining room. There sitting around a normally empty table were three adults. They like Atemu were dressed in sanitation suits. Two seemed to be in their early thirties while the last was around sixty. "Atemu-kun! I want you to meet my parents and Jii-chan!"

"Sugoroku-san?" Atemu's eyes widened. He suddenly remembered where he had met that man.

"Atemu?" The elder man exclaimed.

"You know Jii-chan?" Yuugi asked confused.

"Yes, Yuugi. Atemu came to my shop months ago to buy a bunch of Duel Monsters Cards. Why didn't you tell me he is the one keeping you company Yuugi?"

"So you're Mazaki's heir." A different voice stated. It was the young man, Yuugi's father. His voice seemed to slice through the air as he spoke. It set chills through Atemu's spine.

"Yes Mutou-san." Atemu bowed.

"You must know us then. I own Kame Corp."

"Dear, please don't scare the poor boy." Atemu felt his hair stand on ends. Yuugi's mother had the highest pitched voice he had ever heard before. She reminded Atemu of a strict teacher he once had.

Yet he seemed not to acknowledge his wife's wishes. "So you're marrying Anzu, your sister?"

"She's not my biological sister, Mutou-san," Atemu quickly added.

"Still, your sister." The man clicked his lips. He tapped the ends of his chopsticks on his bowl.

Atemu noticed Yuugi giving him 'I'm so sorry' look across the table. Atemu simply shrugged it away.

"Duel King huh?"

"Yes, Mutou-san."

"Taking over the company."

"Yes, Mutou-san."

"Your sister, Anzu, is in America?"

"Yes, Mutou-san."

The questions seemed endless. Atemu wasn't sure whether he despised Yuugi's father more or his mother who possessed that shrill voice. As he watched Yuugi give them a hug, Atemu wondered how they could have possibly be Yuugi's parents. Yuugi was completely different from his parents. He had all the attributes his parents were lacking.

As the door closed, Yuugi turned around. He bowed his head. Atemu could clearly tell his face was flushed red. "Sorry. My parents… are…"

"It's okay Yuugi." Atemu stated. He popped down on the couch and to hand Yuugi his present.

"They're away a lot. They live in America."

"Yuugi really…"

"You don't like them do you? I saw it in your eyes," Yuugi continued.

"Yuugi…"

"I hate it when they get like that. They always ask questions. It ruins everything."

"Yuugi!"

"Huh?"

"Don't worry about it. My dad's the same way. They're our parents. What can we do but love them and hate them right?" Atemu questioned. He lightly poked Yuugi's nose causing the boy to smile.

"Yeah."

"Now open my gift."

Yuugi nodded. He sat down next to Atemu and quickly tore open the box. The contents inside were strange… "Clothes? Leather? A belt?" Yuugi blinked.

"Oh crap!" Atemu's eyes widened in mock horror. "I brought the wrong box. That must be the stuff Anzu sent me."

"It's interesting."

"You like it?" Atemu asked… a hint of longing in his voice.

"I think I would… like it on you more though." Yuugi whispered. As the words left his lips, he suddenly realized what he had said. "I…"

Yuugi looked up. His face flushed red, and slowly Atemu leaned closer. Their faces inches apart.

"Yuugi…"

"Yes."

"What do you dream of?" Atemu whispered. His words dropped. It slowly became huskier.

"I…" Yuugi whispered.

"Tell me, please." Atemu muttered.

"To escape."

-TBC-

Author's Note: What you guys think? Feedback please?