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Chapter VI: Gamble to the Heart's Content
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"Looking for someone, Yugi?"
I smiled with relief and pushed the cape behind me before offering her my hand. "It's actually pretty easy to find you. Next time you won't have it so easy when we're playing hide-and-seek."
Mana pulled on my hand and pushed us both into an embrace. She smiled happily and led for the first few turns. "You fill out that suit of his really well, you know that?"
"I…I guess." Truthfully, it looked a lot better on Atemu. I smiled sheepishly at the compliment and took note on the outfit. It was different from the several white tunics that Atemu owned. The bluest of fabrics, almost as dark as the clothes that I wore and a red cloak that framed his broad shoulders. Many ornaments adorned my face, but the only thing that remained where it belonged (on Atemu's head, at least) was his crown. "Sorry!"
She squeaked softly from when I stepped on her foot and shook her head. "No no, you're fine. You're actually doing a lot better than last night. It's really good considering how recently you've learned this."
I blushed. "I think it just goes along with the many years that I've watched Atemu dance."
"Really? He only does them when they're required. He really can be a spoilsport sometimes." Mana sighed sadly and nudged her head to the right. "This way, Yugi. …Right! Good job!"
"He isn't that much of a spoilsport…just doesn't know how to have much fun." I looked to the spirit Atemu who watched me stumble once more. I frowned and focused my attention all to our feet. That was the last time that I tripped over Mana's feet; I swear it!
"Good job," she said encouragingly.
"Hey, Mana?"
"Yes?"
"How did you know right off the bat that I was Yugi?" I blushed again, eyes darting to the ground. "I mean, I know you're a priestess in training and whatnot, but even before that…"
"You're still wearing the bandanna on your arm." She stopped both of us for a second and gestured to the soft blue cloth gently wound around my bicep. "From the second I saw that I knew immediately who you were. I always do, too."
"Oh. You do realize it was a gift for you, right?"
"I know. Thanks, but I'll stick to what I have." She tackled me into another embrace and I had no choice but to hug her back. "You're so sweet, Yugi."
"Thanks," I whispered. From the few days when I was left alone in my soul room I would start to get to know Black Magician Girl. She was as sweet and enthusiastic as Mana, actually.
They looked a lot alike just like Mahado and Black Magician did, but neither was interested in telling me why there was so much of an uncanny resemblance. What differed was Mahado's fatigue to Black Magician's whimsicalness and Mana's blithe to Black Magician Girl's maturity. I thought about that for a second and smiled. "So how's your quest in impressing you-know-who?"
"Oh, it's going." She giggled softly.
I cocked my head in a different direction and suddenly frowned.
"Yugi?" she asked inquisitively.
I hadn't heard her. Instead, I moved forward through the many dancers and filed toward the little girl standing near the doorway. A soft smile spread across my face and I bent to her height. "All of the other kids are dancing. How come you're not?"
Neferti flinched, eyes falling to the ground. "I…I dunno…"
"It's no fun when you're dancing by yourself, Neferti." I offered her a hand. "Would you like to dance?"
She happily gasped and tackled me with brute force. With a small squeak, I stumbled back and tried to position both of us in a better stance. "S-Sorry. I'm not very good at dancing and stuff."
"Thank you so much, Mister Pharaoh King, sir!" Neferti squealed again and hugged me tighter. "This is a dream come true!"
I laughed through my timidity and brought her back to the altar. With a few steps, I looked at our feet with the intent of not stumbling over them. She didn't mind at all, actually. Mana and Atemu caught my eye and I offered the most apologetic face I could. Atemu had wanted me to enjoy myself and Mana was the one who I escorted--or, she escorted me to be more specific--to the dance.
"Are you having a fun time at the palace, Neferti?" I asked as soothingly as possible.
She nodded happily and giggled. "The best, Mister Pharaoh King Sir!"
"Good." We danced for a few moments and I once again looked up to smile at both the king and his date. It was an impulse for me to look toward the underdog and I was relieved that they didn't mind so much.
What I hadn't realized was the approaching spirit standing only inches away. I paused, curiously staring into the alluring exotic red eyes that hovered over me. A blush swept across my cheeks; something that I was doing a lot more. Only he was able to have this affect on me.
He lowered himself, my eyes still following his and I opened my mouth to ask what was wrong, but I never had the chance. Atemu pressed his lips against mine and although he was a spirit and I was "human", we could both still feel the light pressure. It tingled against the skin of my mouth and I gasped into it, far too surprised to grasp what was happening.
Its force rattled electricity through my spine and a shudder passed.
Finally, he lifted himself to the little space we had between each other and I stared at him. So many thoughts ran through my mind--dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. The foreign language teetered off into its own delirium and I resisted the habit of clutching my head when my memories became intense.
Did he just…just… With another small squeak, I hadn't realized how I activated the powers of the millennium puzzle before it was late.
Take me away, I yelled through my mortification. Take me to the furthest corners of the puzzle and PLEASE don't tell me the blush across my face is as visible as I think it is!
Did he just…just…KISS ME?
theotherme.
"And who is this little guy?"
"I…"
"Oh?" He smiled. The man who I looked exactly like me laughed and bent down to Little Me's height. His hair was gray where mine was blond and he was a bit on the husky side. That hadn't mattered; he was supposed to be that elderly. That…Siamun-y. His resemblance with Siamun was amazing.
Little Me whimpered and ducked his head under a woman's leg. I didn't know who this woman was, or her intentions.
"Go on," she gently said. "Greet your Grandfather."
"I…I…mynameisYugiMutouandI'mfiveyearsold!" Little Yugi squeaked again and shut both eyes tightly.
"Yugi, huh? That has to be the most perfect name I've ever heard!" My grandfather smiled and opened his arms. Little Me stared back hesitantly, eyes never leaving his heartwarming smile. Immediately, the little Yugi tackled him and held on tightly. "Oh! What a tight grip you have, my boy!"
"Grampa!" Little Me squealed happily and giggled in his grasp.
I sighed happily, looking only to the small me, my grandfather and then...my mother. Wow, my mother. She was young looking, probably no older than Priestess Isis, and had the prettiest set of eyes I'd ever seen. Obviously I had taken resemblance to my grandfather, but she had an essence about her that made me know that Little Me could be safe in her presence.
Little Yugi reached to about my waist. He had the biggest eyes I'd ever seen, so full of innocence and a smile that twinkled with stars themselves. He was obviously shy (something that carried onto me) and had a speaking problem, but the look in his strange-colored eyes...Sure of who he was.
"That's a five-year-old for you though, huh?" I smiled again and watched as Grandpa Sugoroku picked Little Yugi up and let him busy himself while my mother talked things over. After the fifteen-hundredth time of surfing this particular memory, I already knew that this was where it cut off.
Another puzzle piece fell between my fingers delicately. I gently rubbed it, pursed my lips and closed my eyes. When they opened, the memory was gone and I was back in my soul room.
I really…I really wish…
"I wish that they could be alive like you guys," I murmured softly. Five of my figurines stood directly in front of me and at my feet. I was beginning to get more of my memories back. One of the puzzles I was able to complete in only three days, dazed by the constant flashes of his blond hair and wily grin to do anything else; even breathe.
Katsuya Jonouchi. Jonouchi-kun. What did 'kun' mean? Why did I use it when I spoke of him so fondly? Saying just Katsuya or Jonouchi didn't feel as right, but murmuring his name made my heart ache a little. I remembered solving a few memories about him; about the time we shared together. Jonouchi-kun was always very nice to me and thought nothing more than to make me happy. He was my friend.
In a lot of ways he reminded me of Jono. Jono was fiery and feisty and very much against magic. It spooked him to no end and he was a dedicated street rat who thought that the whole magic thing was a big hoax. Instead he'd rather do it by hand and get his results "the fun way", even if it ended up blowing up in his face. Jonouchi-kun, I recall from one memory, was the same way. He could be a bit overbearing, but strived to reach his goal without any shortcuts.
I stared at the picture frame of him, relieved only that I was able to remember who he was and that I trusted him. And apparently a lot.
"Isn't it a little late for you to be up, little master?"
"Wh-What? Oh, yeah…" I whirled around, finally snapping of my thoughts and looked to the spirit in front of me. "You guys…"
Let me correct that statement about "the spirit." It was all of them--Kuriboh, Black Magician, Black Magician Girl, Silent Magician, Silent Swordsman, Marshmellon and my newest figurine, Obnoxious Celtic Guardian.
Black Magician Girl smiled softly and hovered parallel to me before engulfing me into a deep embrace. "You work too hard, little master. Please, won't you rest?"
"I…I know I should…" Well, wasn't that an understatement? A lax sigh left my lips and I hugged her back.
Kuriboh was next, nestling comfortably in my hair. Marshmellon hobbled over and affectionately began nibbling at my fingers while my three other spirits stared at me with grave concern.
Black Magician waved his hand and all of the puzzle pieces disappeared from my room. Instead a small bed fit for one rested in the corner and a large window at my ceiling showed me the night sky. Simply nothing but a memory, but a vivid one. I looked to it, lips between my teeth and drowsily sighed.
"C'mon, kid." Silent Swordsman smiled wily and appeared before me in his form as a child. He toddled over happily, Silent Magician shyly teetering after him. "You hafta rest now. Being up so long ain't gonna help you one bit."
"It's not like I can help it." I wearily sighed and collapsed into Black Magician Girl's grasp. She held onto me gently like a mother or an older sister; something that I was very happy about. The thing about Black Magician Girl and Mana was that to me, they had the same essence, but neither was a replacement for another. You could say that the way I possess Atemu, Black Magician Girl could possess Mana. …I think.
"But the memories overwhelm you, do they not?" Black Magician frowned unsurely and knelt to my height. "Yugi, please. At least try to get some sleep?"
"I'll try," I frowned. "But it's a good thing I'm getting them back, isn't it?"
He continued to scrutinize me. With a small shake of his head, he smiled. "I'm happy that you're getting them back, Master Yugi, but overwhelming yourself is the last thing you should do."
"Black Magician is right," Black Magician Girl said sternly. She nestled both hands on her hips and floated next to her master. "And you're not getting these memories day by day; they're forcing themselves into you. That's enough to drive someone insane!"
"We only wish the best for you, Master Yugi." Silent Magician looked into my eyes pleadingly. "Get some rest."
"Tackle 'em one at a time!" Silent Swordsman slapped me in the back tenderly.
With a small yelp, I finally nodded and yawned. "…'mmkay. Night." In less than a second, all of my clothes disappeared and were replaced with starry pajamas that mimicked my skylight. Another smile settled on my face as I pushed the covers away and perched myself on the bed. Marshmellon lay on my left and Kuriboh to my right. Silent Magician and Silent Swordsman, satisfied by me giving in, reappeared as small figurines on my desk.
It was then that Black Magician Girl decided to plop herself at my bed side and tuck me in. Black Magician knelt before me and warmly smiled.
"Mom, Dad." I teased. A somnolent smile carried on over my face and I held the sleeping Kuriboh close in my arms.
"This is the first time that you'll be sleeping in two weeks, young master." 'Mom' pouted and kissed me affectionately on the cheek. "You need your Cutie Sleep!"
Black Magician rolled his eyes. "Regardless of what your 'mother' says, she is right. Sleep as long as you need to, little master."
"Right." I nodded and yawned again.
"No son of mine is going to go out with bags under his eyes! He has to be healthy and alive!" Black Magician Girl harrumphed and stuck her nose in the air. "And you know what, he's not going to marry until he's good and ready!"
"Well of course not." Black Magician raised a brow and crossed his arms. "He's seventeen. Do you really think he would get married at seventeen?"
"In this day and age it's natural," I muttered.
"Not 'natural' enough for you!" She puffed again and shook her head disapprovingly. "You have to wait until you're forty! I better not have any grand children until you're sixty, that way I know that I'm old!"
"Oh, please. You're three-thousand and eighteen years old and counting, child." Black Magician snorted and shook his head with disdain. "You are past the age of youth, my precious magician."
"I still lived longer than you, now didn't I?" Black Magician Girl grinned coyly and tapped her chin delicately. "Hey, you think we could have another?"
I stifled a laugh. Black Magician 'urk'ed and pressed his hand to his forehead as he tried to organize his thoughts. "We are not speaking of this."
"But--"
"Not."
"But--"
"Not."
"But--"
"Uh-uh. No. We're not. End of story. Never. Hear me?" Black Magician grumbled something inaudible under his breath before his eyes fell to me. Pink powdered his cheeks with embarrassment and he smiled softly. "I suppose your insomnia dates back to your last encounter with the Pharaoh, Master Yugi?"
I frowned. Yes…they have. Ever since Atemu and I had become friends, my headaches were getting worse. The way that most of my memories work out when I finally get them are a light headache. I'd wake up in the middle of the night, mind lingering somewhere else and once my psyche caught up with me, I'd be sitting in front of a new completed puzzle.
The thing about Atemu though is…he made a lot of things fuzzy. That one little foreign word kept jittering in my head: Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. Maybe if Jono was the reminder of Jonouchi-kun, Atemu was a reminder of someone else, too. But who?
"It must be really hard," Black Magician Girl muttered, finally settling down a bit. She sighed sadly. "I'd be confused too if the pharaoh laid one on me. Then again there was this one time he smooched me as a card and I felt fine."
"You were a card. It doesn't count." Black Magician gave her a wary look and rolled his eyes.
"My last encounter with him was a little weird," I agreed. "Taking in all of these memories is new. It took me years before I could get just two of you."
Black Magician blinked, followed by his apprentice. He opened his mouth hesitantly before slowly closing it. "Master Yugi…do understand that we are talking about the kiss."
"The…kiss?" Oh. Oh. Oh fudge, OH. I shot straight back up, unfortunately pushing Kuriboh out of the bed and I sunk further into the sheets. "That…was…the last thing on my mind…"
"You're…kidding, right?" Black Magician Girl sounded as if she was testing the waters before jumping in. With a big and fatal plop, she leaned over anxiously and examined me like a piece of meat. "You were dancing with Neferti one minute and then whoosh! Out of nowhere, you were smooched, little master! Right in the kisser! Lip-on-lip contact! Boy-on-boy! The almighty Horus laid a big fat one on you!"
"Okay, okay!" I squeaked. My face was getting hotter by the second. "I get it, you don't need to spare me the details!" Wait… "Was that my first kiss?" My eyes widened in panic and I looked over to Black Magician in shock.
"It is if you want it to be."
"Black Magician!" Still, all I could do was squirm. With a heavy sigh I lay my head to my pillow as Kuriboh scampered back to my hold. "Never mind."
Black Magician smiled softly. "Good night, Master Yugi."
"Night."
Black Magician Girl kissed me softly on the forehead before they were swept away and turned into figurines next to Silent Magician and Silent Swordsman. My eyes fell to the last one who had been sitting quietly in the far corner. He looked at me indifferently.
"Aren't you concerned about my 'condition'?" I grinned tiresomely.
Celtic Guardian fell to another glance at my form. He impishly grinned and softly chuckled. "Fall into slumber, young one. You have a day ahead of you."
"How do you like it so far?" I know I promised everyone else that I would finally go to sleep, but it was a habit of mine to worry. I knew very well that Black Magician and Black Magician Girl held routes to my heart. They knew me inside and out and would protect me at any cost. Kuriboh was just like a little kid who hated to see me sad and Marshmellon was twice as naïve. I knew that Silent Magician and Silent Swordsman were important to me and it saddened them that I didn't remember why they were so needed. Still, I knew they were important.
Celtic Guardian was a bit of a different case. He was an observer; the strong and silent type. At first I just assumed he wanted me to do things on my own and refused to help me. What became more than just a little assumption was the way he would look onward to me and I think in my past life, he was always like that; coming to my rescue when I really needed it but watching from the sidelines when there were struggles I could only handle by myself. It was sort of like Black Magician's fostering and Silent Swordsman's wit combined.
His smile became softer and the elfishness quirks of his demeanor lessened. "As long as I am by your side, I am happy."
"Wow," I breathed. I knew Black Magician and Black Magician Girl would grind my butt about it later, but I propped myself with my eyes falling to the ground.
He arose with a bit of panic and rested a hand on my shoulder. "Is something the matter?"
"Yeah. You all love me too much," I joked. A small smile settled across my face and soon a loose sigh left my lips. "But I guess that you're not going to tell me about my past either, are you?"
"Not particularly," Obnoxious Celtic Guardian snorted bluntly. I guess that was the 'Obnoxious' part about him. With a small smile, he knelt at my side and crossed his arm to his chest. "I am but a part of your life, young master. A…convenience, per se."
"Convenience," I repeated with a frown. "And what would you mean by that?"
"I come to your aide not when you truly need me the most, but as your plan 'B'." His eyes twinkled sadly and he limply shrugged. "If you don't have what you desire, I come in second."
"But you come in my time of need, right?" That was one question that I had to get a proper answer to. My brow furrowed and lips fell into an upside-down hook.
His eyes held quaint surprise and the smile on his face tightened. "Your hope is what drives me to want to protect you, Master." Obnoxious Celtic Guardian's's voice was strained, a bit reluctant to get into this conversation. "I'm a 'guardian.' I'm supposed to guard you until the cavalry arrives."
"You…must have been very powerful then, huh?" My eyes widened as the sudden epiphany hit me. "For such a thing if you consider yourself only a 'guard.' You must be really powerful!"
He studied my expression carefully, eyes lingering to my form before breaking into an irresistible smile. "It's not that I consider myself powerful, young master. My combat prowess, however, rivals many. I am…fortunate. My goddess Zelda charmed me at birth and made me immortal to those far too high of power. The charm is only lifted if my enemy ranges in my abilities and therefore worthy for me to be their enemy and the other way around."
"I see. That makes you lucky then." I smiled broadly.
"'Lucky'?" Now he was the clueless one.
"You're my good luck charm. You keep me safe no matter what, right?" Another grin fell to my face and I shook my head. "You're not my convenience, Celtic Guardian. You mean as much to me as every single one of the others do." I gestured to Kuriboh in my grasp.
"I…I suppose so." He studied me hesitantly before smiling. "Thank you for your flattery, young master."
Finally satisfied, a small yawn left my lips. A frown worked its way across my demeanor and I lay there with muscles aching and a clogged throat. Had I always felt this tired?
"Looks like just talking has made you sleepy, Master Yugi." Celtic chuckled softly and offered a tender kiss to my forehead. "Goodnight."
"Mm…night…" I shut my eyes with a soft murmur and I buried deep into my pillow. I was already far too gone in slumber to notice that Celtic had turned back into one of my figurines.
theotherme.
"It's…so pretty…" I heard chatter and jostling. In the middle of my slumber, I supposed it made sense that I would teeter off into another dream. Part of me wondered if it would be a significant dream--a memory, or just some silly whim of mine. I don't know which one I hoped for more, I just knew that once I woke that my next action would determine my destiny for the day.
Soft pitter-pattering steps scuttle across the ground and I can actually sense the awe on his face. He gasped, tiny fingers pressing up against glance. I still couldn't see him though; I heard him and I heard everything that he did, but I certainly could not see him.
"Oh, now what are you doing here?" There was a soft chuckle from a low voice. "The more you stare into the rack the more people will think you're also on sale, my little star."
The younger one squeaked. He teetered between his tone, murmuring inaudible words that even I couldn't hear. From what I could make out he was certainly embarrassed for being caught and was naively mortified at the thought of being taken home by someone else. "I…I'm sorry."
There was a pause in the response. Soon the other voice spoke up again with unmatchable warmth. "Do you like puzzles, silly grandson of mine?"
"I love them!"
"Oh, yes, yes. Then I have a puzzle for you--one that'll probably take you a while, but with your determination I'm sure you can solve it."
"R…Really?"
"It's a big responsibility though. Whoever solves this puzzle will be forever graced with a wondrous destiny! It makes your wishes come true, too!"
"My…wishes?"
"Yes. And once you solve my puzzle, you will unlock its secrets, my boy."
"What kind of secrets?"
"That," the weary old man concluded with a soft laugh, "is something you'll have to find out all by yourself."
I wonder what things I could find out for myself. How many things and if I was capable of being the leader to my own life? My memories lie in front of me in a large pond filled with beautiful lotuses. Their petals were etched with stunning hues of purple; sheathed by the white that securely protected them. Only love and comfort--trust--could get them to open.
I waded out in order to collect them, but this pond soon became a lake and further away did they seem to go. The deeper I went the more pressure built in my stomach. My memories scurried further from my essence as the pressure--my fear--kept me from catching them. Once I reached further the small measly voice in my head reminded me that I didn't know how to swim.
Or I didn't want to. I didn't know my memories and sometimes I wondered if I wanted to.
The thing about Atemu was that he would stare at me for ages and linger on, willing himself and using every bit of his powers as the Pharaoh to keep the last grain of his eons of scrutinizing and savor that last moment. By now and considering how many times I'd stare at the mirror, waiting for the fluster of the day before to disappear from the tips of my ears, and contemplate how he could broadly observe me and make my entire body feel like it was on fire.
He was bold. He stared because he wanted to stare and quite frankly, even without the title of the Pharaoh, he would consider gazing upon every fiber of my being simply because he was Atemu and Atemu always gets what he wants. So many of my memories and his would delicately weave together and I wondered how many times he was able to step up and decide what he wanted happened while in one instant I was still wistfully sitting here yearning for something I knew/thought/suspected/convinced myself was too great for me.
I wanted to stay here; to see how he was able to make himself so assertive and so sure of himself. If I ever went back to the place of my forgotten memories, it would leave an empty void in my stomach. He makes me ashamed about how weak I can be; how the little hesitant me is so timid that for the past five years all I could do was hide in his puzzle.
Atemu wouldn't have hidden. He would have been assertive, demand answers and steer the situation until it worked to his advantage. I guess maybe that was another thing.
Later that night I had another dream. It was driven by all of my ambitions, my admiration and my love for one King of Egypt. Despite the fact that I've only seen sand in the five years I've resided in the puzzle, I guess my subconscious was willing to leak a bit of my memory so I knew what was going on.
Our roles were switched. Though I was the tender, thoughtful side of Atemu, I became the meek little boy who was unable to protect himself. Strangely enough I was a lot shorter than I remembered, reaching probably to only my stomach. The Millennium Puzzle rested around my neck and in those large eyes resided innocence, reluctance, and hesitant determination.
Around his hand was a red glove and a cuff filled with several stars. I didn't know what they meant, but I had a feeling they meant the world to him. The little me was surrounded by much taller people; only one did I recognize as Jonouchi-kun. One looked a bit like Teana, but even she didn't ring any bells.
They halted in front of a large castle, abruptly stopped by someone else. He looked like Seth and carried on the intensity of his doppelganger's cruelty. They spoke for a few minutes, bickering about right and wrong before really wanting to fight. And then he showed up: the real "Other Me."
He was drop-dead handsome whether it be with skin as dark as sun-baked sand or flourishing ivory. The Eye of Ra glowed faintly at his forehead as if his crown had never left. He sprouted a good two feet and a half taller than the real me, eyes blazing fiery red-violet and a smirk that only the Pharaoh could pull off.
But in this dream, he didn't know he was a pharaoh. I was the one who was sure of myself and he was the lost spirit who struggled to find who he really was. Unfortunately, the real me was just as clueless as he was.
The entire group climbed to the top of the castle and hooked weird devices to their arms. They continued, screeching the word "Duel" and it began. They fought back and forth, still bickering about useless subjects. I watched the 'Other Me' with his tactful smirk and mischievous glint and it was…relieving. Atemu had never looked like he was having so much fun before.
Dark Magician was on the field. I watched in awe, utterly surprised for what he was doing. Loyalty was scrawled across his face when it came to me. No…to Atemu; just like Mahado. The 'duel' continued forth and a smile danced across my lips. I trusted this Atemu, didn't I? I admit it was strange to see that he was my protector when normally I was his, but it was nonetheless a truly amazing sight.
But then it happened. I could feel something rattle my brain, the pace of my heart quickening and the sweat matting the back of my neck. The Seth lookalike spoke random words, words that I could completely understand because I'm sure they were speaking the language that my name also came from, and hoisted himself on top of the ledge without any troubles.
"Perhaps your next attack will be enough to cause me to fall, Yugi." Seth-lookalike's smirk danced across his face before disappearing into an intense glower.
No, I screamed. The look on this Atemu's face was conflicted, but my opinion was already set. It was just a game! Why would anyone risk their life in something as silly as a game?! Stop, please stop! Don't dare attack, please!
I stood my ground, sternly protesting this decision. But…Atemu didn't. He muttered inaudible words, stammering between righteousness and pure justice before jabbing his finger in Seth-lookalike's direction.
STOP CELTIC GUARDIAN STOP!
"STOP!" The Little Me came out. Atemu was nowhere to be seen, replaced only by my essence. He fell to the ground, the thought of killing this Seth-lookalike, someone that was considered his friend, overwhelming him.
I watched; completely limp as the actions sank in. This wasn't a dream…this was a nightmare. Celtic Guardian halted at the sound of his master and slowly disappeared. All the same, Seth-lookalike only scoffed and slid back to proper ground.
Was I…was I weak? Was he just playing a dirty trick? Did I really have no control over my body, even when Atemu was in control?
"We could never switch roles," I murmured coldly. "Without his memories…he's completely ruthless."
His last words rattled ominously through my ears. 'I…I…I can't lose!'
theotherme.
Marshmellon and Kuriboh had turned back into figurines by the time I woke up. Even through the puzzle I could sense that it was far too early to be awake, but I don't think I could have gone back to sleep. Instead, I rolled out of bed, lower lip trembling and heart aching. My legs would give out to me at any second and my head was spinning.
Finally I staggered to the desk that was topped with all of my figurines and I stared at them; each and every one of them. My hand fell to one in particular and I drew a sharp gasp to keep myself from bursting into tears. Didn't work.
In an instant, Black Magician's faint glow shimmered through my soul room and he stood parallel to me. His eyes held pain and sympathy; maybe even a bit of disgrace. He looked at me silently, unable to say anything.
I fell into his arms and hugged him tightly before letting it all go. My tears soaked his purple robes and the sobs wouldn't stop. Black Magician held me closer to his chest and said nothing, just letting me cry it out. Kuriboh was next, nestling at my chest and giving me soft kisses while Marshmallon rested on my shoulder. Black Magician Girl embraced me from the other side, softly rocking back and forth to get me to calm down. Silent Magician and Silent Swordsman tugged my arms from both sides and rubbed soft circles at my shoulders.
All the while, I clutched Obnoxious Celtic Guardian's figurine tight in my hand and thanked him and the heavens that even though that Atemu was controlling him, he considered me his real master.
theotherme.
It had been about a week or two since I actually came out of the puzzle. Not specifically possessing Atemu's body, but just out as a spirit. I stared at the moonlight shimmering through his window and took in the beautiful field of stars. I loved stars.
Slowly my eyes cast a glance to Atemu's sleeping form. His hair unraveled in messier clumps than usual, the crown resting at his bed side. The light creeping in faintly made his skin glow and I shuddered. There were no signs that he would stir any time soon, but the bags under his eyes let me know he was still working as hard as usual.
I smiled at my Atemu. This Atemu, the one who I worked so hard to protect and inspire. My hand ran through his delicate gold bangs and trailed down to his bare shoulder. He clutched the Millennium Puzzle tight in his hands, Teana going unnoticed next to him.
"Still the same old Atemu, huh?" I joked. He was always holding that puzzle for the life of him. I brushed the hair out of his face, inhaling the scent of foreign spices. He'd grown so much in the past few years, making a name for himself as the ruler of Egypt. Who, I asked wryly, would ever think to defy the king?
My lips fell to his forehead where I would used to come out in his younger days to kiss him after a long day of work.
"Good job, my little pharaoh," I whispered. He grunted, pulling sheets further over his body and shifted. After he still looked like wouldn't wake up, I only smiled and decided it was best to leave him. Relief flooded my insides and I went back to my own room.
Dark, my thoughts murmured. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark.
That was the last of my memories for a while, wasn't it? I closed my eyes, noting only vaguely that Celtic Guardian had put it upon himself to tuck me in before returning to the rest of the spirits.
But I guess you're wondering about that kiss; the one Atemu gave me that seemed so long ago. With a saddened sigh, I curled into a ball in my bed and felt my heart softly beat against my chest. As much of a big deal it was, I knew that kiss meant nothing. Pharaohs have many wives, junior wives, and lovers. Besides, I see the way he looks at Teana. That was his wife, and at best I could be a lover. For now, I only wanted to be his friend.
No matter how deep I fell in love with him, Atemu was a Pharaoh and Pharaohs never had true loves.
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Author's Note:
B'awww I love this chapter. Sorry it's shorter than usual; I really hope that it didn't seem too rushed. To give a brief summary of what's happened so far, Atemu knows there's a spirit in his puzzle, they met, and the pharaoh screwed it all up by kissing Yugi. Now Atemu's paying the price! Still, it's a good transition from happy to angst, don't you think?
A lot of you guys call Atemu a ;aweifuaofj. I think that's pretty darn funny coz…well, it's true among other things, but there's valid reasoning to it. Their relationship should make you tingle with smiles. …well, eventually. Thank you so much so far and happy early Valentines Day!