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Chapter VIII: Dark Hidden in the Light

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Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark.

It was happening again. There was no denying it; from the way his agile fingers slid across my skin slowly as a virgin butterfly who had just broken out of its cocoon and attempted flight. The sensation bubbled at the pit of my stomach, those aching lips grazing my forehead. Sparks shook erratically through my body and I caught my breath. Every part of me yearned for his touch, for him to kiss me fully on the lips, nibble at my ear. I damned the teenaged-hormones that possessed me so many times. Beads of sweat would drip precariously at my forehead, his fingers tugging at the end of my shirt. Without any hesitation I would slide that bloody blazer off my shoulders and push my lips to his.

I wanted to pleasure the pharaoh and hear him under me moaning and vibrating my name. Those long, slender fingers--I wanted them to slide into my pants all the while his teeth gobbled the nape of my neck. I'd straddle his leg, hands wriggling through the knots of his hair as the throbbing in my lower belly took control. I nibble at his lower lip, both arms wrapped tight around his neck as an unmistakable growl curls in his throat. His hand made a graceful entrance to my inner thigh and cupped my frustration through the thin layer of cloth. It, along with everything else and my entire being fit perfectly his hands.

Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark.

He rocks me gently back and forth, not even the soft creaks of the bed getting in the way. Instead my voice is hoarse and with every moan of pleasure cracks a different indispensible cry of ecstasy. I need him. I need his kisses, his embrace, his…

His lips press gently to my own and in an instant he's leaning over me and laying me across the bed. Those beautiful crimson eyes shimmer under the moonlight and he tucks his nose to my ear, softly laying kisses to my face and sucking my cheek. His hair tickles my forehead and the space between us closes considerably. Soon, his tunic is pressed to my bare stomach and warm leg against my unzipped pants.

DARK. DARK. DARK.

He warmly kisses the brim of my ear, the dark of his lips to the light of my essence. A long hand runs through my bangs and he hugs me close.

"This…can never be, you know that, right?"

Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark.

I shut my eyes closed, warm tears creating lakes at my eye sockets. A harsh breath left my throat like someone had punched it out of me and I buried my face into my darkness.

So who'd been the one to deny our relationship? Me or him?

Because right now, I was confused. I wasn't sure who this darkness was or why his hands were clasped so tightly around my heart, refusing to let otherworldly troubles pass. I could look into those crimson eyes as much as I wanted, but no matter how things were left, all I wanted and all I needed was Atemu.

"Young master?"

"Huh? Y-Yeah…" I snapped out the current daze I'd been in and frown. A blush enveloped my cheeks as I realized exactly where Silent Magician was staring and quickly I readjusted my form to hide it. Instead, he naively poked it, being at the age of only a child and of course oblivious to something they called a…well, you know…a h-hard-on…

"It's has hard as stone," he murmured softly. "Is it always like that?"

"W-Well," I stammered. It was hard to talk to him when he was in his child form. The confusing thing about both Silent Swordsman and Silent Magician alike was the fact that they were only at the zenith of their power when they were adults. Maybe that wasn't a complete surprise, but they told me long ago when I first met them that like Celtic Guardian, their goddess had charmed them with the gift of time. If they ever sensed trouble, the older them could easily be summoned and take over a fight. Speaking of fights, I never did quite understand what all of my spirits meant. Was it this 'dueling'?

Though with this naiveté I was relieved that Silent Magician, the more innocent of my two Silents, was able to summon his older self in time of need. Right now, I wished that were the case. Pathetically, I confessed to the large-eyed spirit, "No."

Silent Magician's eyes glimmered in absolute curiosity. He lifted the ends of his robe, revealing the kilt underneath. "Does mine ever get that way?"

"Silent Magician!"

I let out the breath of relief I wasn't even aware I was holding. In an instant my eyes turned to the two figures standing next to my shelf; Obnoxious Celtic Guardian and Silent Swordsman. Silent Swordsman grinned, full and high in his prime as he hoisted the little magician to his shoulder.

"Celtic here thinks that he can take me out in one punch. Wanna see me prove him wrong?"

Silent Magician's cheeks shimmered with pink. He looked between both swordsmen curiously. "Does he know that you're ticklish, Silent Swordsman?"

In an instant the expression across Silent Swordsman's face turned grim. He paled considerably with a fearful shudder to the impish smirk crossing my guardian's face. "Well thanks to you, he does now!"

"Oh…" Silent Magician pouted, eyes shimmering with tears. "Sorry."

"No no, it's fine it's fine!"

Another smile fell across my features. Their relationship with was interesting. Silent Magician, although powerful and full of potential, was a small child, frail and hiding behind his blanket of white hair. On the other hand, Silent Swordsman was bold, brash and blunt; unwilling to give up without a fight and had a true heart of gold. I mean, if he wasn't a spirit. They suited each other.

Once Silent Magician was assured, Swordsman brought the small mage to Celtic Guardian and crouched to my side. I smiled. "Hey."

"Hey," he grinned and unceremoniously poked there like Silent Magician had done before. A squeak left my lips and I crossed my legs. "I was gonna ask if you wanted to see Celtic and I duke it out. Loser's gotta give the winner his sword for a week. Then again, I can see you're busy."

I frowned, puzzle piece still fresh between my fingers. With a sad sigh, I closed my eyes. "You're right...I thought I was gaining control over these memories. Guess I was wrong."

Without even realizing it, the tips of my fingers had found their way back to the skin of my forehead. I pulled a long blond bang away from my eyes and touched the small place where, though invisible, felt like a small indent of Atemu's kiss. Another dizzying spell had attacked me before the poor guy even had the chance to leave. But I didn't want him to see me that way; I didn't want him to see the Me who struggled to maintain the wall keeping my memories from invading with my life in Egypt.

Last night alone was enough to surprise me. I'd known about Atemu's uneasiness with water for quite some time, so it embarrassed me to forget that little fact and bring him aboard. Still, he tried his best not to snap in disgust and was instead concerned that I was angry with him. I smiled softly. Atemu really was the type of friend I'd never forget.

Though the way our minds worked were different. Really, I should have known that with me being gone Atemu would slip into depression. At the very thought I felt my cheeks burn. Atemu always looked at me, blinded by whatever infatuation he held and motivated to do his best when I was in his presence. I had to watch myself; my first and foremost duty was to protect him.

…but now…he wanted to protect me. A small shudder ran through my back and I clutched the puzzle piece tighter. Little Atemu, my little pharaoh, wanted to protect me.

"When I said you were busy, I didn't mean your memories, kid." I was caught off guard when Silent Swordsman's finger molested the zipper of my pants. He snickered mischievously and brought my face to his.

"And what else would I be busy with?" I asked in confusion. The only thing overwhelming me at the moment was my memories. On cue, I grimaced and felt another headache possess me. Silent Swordsman held me tight in his arms and frowned.

"You gonna be alright, kid?"

"Y…Yeah…they'll calm down…soon." I murmured. Though we both knew that was a lie. I was really disappointed in myself; I really did think I had control over my own mind again! It'd been just like the first time after Atemu laid a kiss to my forehead. My memories surfaced and I inhaled deeply as another shiver passed through my psyche. All sensations focused between my legs and I writhed in Swordsman's arms.

"Sleep, please." He rubbed my back tenderly and detached himself. "Can't you just take a break from him for….for just today? He's waited three weeks; he can wait another twenty-four hours!"

"No," I seethed. Closing my eyes, I'd already promised myself that I wouldn't wait another day. The damage had been done without my presence; I didn't want to disappear again like I did before and in my heart I was already torn between those two decisions. I didn't want Atemu to suffer without me, but I certainly didn't want him to suffer with me. How was I to know what he'd done while I was away from his court? The first time without him I had been too blinded by my memories to go see him, and then yesterday…man, yesterday I realized just how much I missed him.

Have you ever felt that empty void in your chest? The one that's just tugging at your heart with the demons threatening to steal what was ever in there? No matter how many deep breaths I took, it didn't seem to matter. That hole had gotten deeper and I didn't realize the damage until yesterday. I had to see Atemu. And when I did, I knew what I was missing. I was missing his bluntness, harsh tones and erratic, impulsive decisions that always got him into trouble.

There was a bond between us, wasn't there? You'd think I was insane, but for a moment I actually thought if I was quiet enough I could hear his thoughts. He missed me, tears cascading down his jaw for the first time since the death of his father and he wanted everything about me.

"Kid, it's getting bigger."

"What's getting bigger?"

"Never mind."

Sadness tugged at my heart. A small smile graced my lips and my eyes slowly opened. He wanted everything about me, but it was like the dream I'd had while completing this puzzle. He worshipped me, but wanted my body. All I wanted was Atemu.

"Just go," I said quietly. "I'll rest when it lets me."

Though doubtful, Silent Swordsman kissed my cheek and sauntered after his fellow kin. They disappeared through another door and I collapsed to the floor behind me, heat simmering my cheeks. "Black Magician?" I called aloud.

Silence echoed against the walls. For a brief moment I only waited and in an instant, there was a sparkling glimmer and the form of Black Magician hovered above me. Kuriboh nestled tight on my stomach and Marshmellon nibbled at my boot. Next to Black Magician stood Black Magician Girl and all four of them held valuable concern. A smile danced across my lips. They always cared for me.

"I had a weird dream," I confessed.

Black Magician nodded hesitantly, eyes narrowing to my form. "A weird one indeed."

"It's that same person," I mumbled. Crimson eyes haunted my mind and I curled my fists. "He and I…were doing stuff."

"Spare me the details," he muttered in mortification. Red danced across his features and he looked to his apprentice and both demons pleadingly. Though pouting, Black Magician Girl somberly nodded and was off with both Kuriboh and Marshmellon. Now that my foot was free of being eaten, I sat erect and stared into the glass eyes of my magician.

He smiled gently. "How was your night with the Pharaoh, Master Yugi?"

"It was…nice." I closed my eyes and mollified the upcoming headache. "Until this whole freaky memory thing started going off again."

"You should rest," Black Magician uttered and repeated the exact same thing Silent Swordsman did. I shook my head in protest, and he only sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if it was best that you stayed dormant. At least as that you would have the option of sleeping."

"But then I'd have to wonder if I ever woke up," I shrugged. I ran a hand through my hair and felt the burn of my blush spread. "He and I were…kissing…and…touching…and…you know…the stuff that Atemu normally does with his harlots." …Yeah. Exactly like what Atemu normally did with his harlots. I mentally slapped myself as I realized how much of an idiot I sounded and how empty it felt. It hadn't been empty--at first, anyway.

"There's a difference between what he does and what you were thinking of, Master." His tone was grim and serious, eyes narrowed to my form as if he were examining my psyche. "It was always something I disliked about him; he would have sex with every man and woman he saw."

"But I'm not the one he's having sex with! I mean…I don't think so…d-did I just say that out loud?" The 's' word rattled my brain again and I pressed a hand to my forehead. That word was horrible. "I…I just don't want any of this, Black Magician. Please help me…please…"

He squeezed my shoulder reassuringly and pulled me into an embrace. I hugged his waist tightly and buried my head into his robes. "His presence brings deep concern to your state of mind, Yugi."

"Or what I'm lacking thereof," I mumbled. It was true. "I…I can feel his every move in these dreams, Black Magician. They're so vivid, but I don't even know who this guy is."

It was true. All I could remember were those amazing crimson red eyes that were on par with Atemu's. Invisible fingers had wrapped around my form and dug through every loose knot they could find and all the while I'd sat there relishing all of it and wondering who he was. Half of me wanted to say that it was Atemu. Atemu unraveling me in bed wasn't a farfetched thought, but the latter decision had been…something else. My…my darkness.

But…who was my darkness?

"I wish you guys could just tell me all of my memories," I shut my eyes closed. "I wouldn't be so lost and I would know who I was. I wouldn't be as confused as I feel right now and when I smile at all of you, you wouldn't be staring back and pitying my hollow figure."

Black Magician gaped. He bent to my height, eyes narrowed to mine and obviously appalled. "Is that…what you truly think, Yugi?"

"Isn't that what's true?" My lips ached from smiling too much, but still they continued to strum in that shape and I looked away with clutched fists. "I'm getting all of these memories and every time I smile at you, you guys make me happy, but I know it saddens you that I'm not able to remember everything. All I see is pity when I look into your eyes."

"That…that is an utmost lie, Yugi!" Black Magician's voice bounced off the walls. I cringed at his tone and once my eyes had opened again, every single one of my spirits surrounded me with the same look of distraught.

"Yugi..." Black Magician Girl wrapped her arms around my shoulders and kissed my jaw softly. "We look at you with love and concern, you're our master. When we gaze into your eyes we see the same mischief and the same determination of the boy we knew once before."

"But…" My eyebrows furrowed and fell to the ground. "You…treat me differently."

"Would you rather we told you all your memories and create this hollow shell of which you speak? Would it not pain you more if we treated you like nothing has happened and expect you to do the same things right off the bat?" Black Magician scowled in frustration and petted my hair. "Yugi, we still love you with or without your memories, but simply telling you about your memories is not the same as reliving them."

Kuriboh bounced into my lap and glared at me angrily. Green claws wrapped around my body and without another choice I hugged him back.

Was this…true? My fingers rubbed the puzzle piece that hadn't left my hand since I snapped out of my daze. If they were to just tell me all of my great accomplishments, would I be the one staring at them blankly instead and forcing worried smiles to their form? Quite…possibly. I shut my eyes and sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"Don't…Master…" With one eye open I watched Silent Magician waddle to my side with a saddened pout forming across his lips. "Please don't feel at fault for our secrecy. We only wish the best for you."

"He's right," Black Magician Girl mumbled sternly. She fixed my blazer and held my hand between hers. "Ever since we've known you, we've devoted our lives in keeping you safe, Master Yugi. Just because we're all reclusive and stuff doesn't mean we don't care for you. For now, just endure it. You'll find out who the real you is when the time is right."

Silent Magician hugged my leg, followed by tiny Silent Swordsman who hugged the other. "Until then, kid," Swordsman said, "just say the way you are. Got it?"

"I…right." I broke into a grin and hugged the both of them. "Sorry for worrying all of you."

"And what will you do," Black Magician said in a quieter tone, obviously now relaxed, "with your feelings for Atemu?"

I blinked, the original topic I had wanted to discuss finally back in open air. Lamely, I shrugged and fell to the floor. The child Magician and Swordsman sat on my lap and I scratched my head. "There's nothing I can really do about it, Black Magician."

I'd already decided a long time ago not to pursue my feelings for him. I couldn't give Atemu everything in the world if we were ever together. As the pharaoh he was better off with someone who he could love figuratively and…well, physically. At the latter I paled and felt the fervent blush tingle my cheeks. His ruby red eyes haunted me with every blink. I inhaled softly, silently pleading for my mind to escape those alluring eyes.

Luscious crimson replaced them. "OH GOSH DARNIT!"

"Yugi," Black Magician Girl tackled me into a hug and squeezed me tightly. "Get some rest, okay? Please."

"I...I…fine." I fell into the embrace and lay my head at the crook of her neck. "I'm not going to let my memories consume me like the first time," I muttered. "I promise."

It bothered me to no end that I was unable to control these memory slips. My memory and lack-of memories were what isolated me from the rest of them; from the rest of this world. If I was just a normal kid on the streets of Egypt with a memory of my own, none of this would happen. Then again…with a memory of my own, the great Pharaoh of Egypt would never spare me a look. Would I love him the same? Or differently?

Another emotion teetered in my chest; the one that had developed in the short few days. It made me feel unfaithful to the red-eyed person compared to my feelings for Atemu. It was all just so…so confusing.

So, so… "Confusing," I murmured. Black Magician Girl kissed my nose softly and backed up to her teacher. They offered sympathetic glances and pitifully smiled.

"I suppose we'll return to the form of toys, young master." Black Magician kept his regal tone and wrapped an arm around Black Magician Girl's waist. "Don't spend too much time on this, understood?"

"Yes, father. I promise to turn the light off too."

"Good. I would have grounded you if you didn't." He snorted ridiculously and waved for the rest of the spirits to join him. "For now I guess it's best to leave you alone, young master. But, you must promise us that you will take a break from your memories."

If they took a break from me, that is. I nodded slowly. "Yeah."

Marshmellon was first to hop away and appear at the side of Black Magician Girl. Kuriboh soon followed, and before Obnoxious Celtic Guardian had the chance to follow 'Dad', I tugged on his hand.

"Yes?" He asked pleasantly as he came to a halt.

"I want a hug."

"Of course." Obnoxious Celtic Guardian pulled me into a tight embrace and kissed my hair softly. I hugged him back, head buried into his tunic. He pat my back softly before finally leaving with the rest of them. As they disappeared, I looked to my legs where neither child refused to let go and cracked a grin.

"Black Magician Girl won't be very happy if you two stay out too long," I lectured lightly.

Silent Magician frowned and wrapped his tiny hands around my neck. "I…want the master to be happy, first…"

"I'm always happy around you guys," I assured. Still, red danced across my features at his open honestly. Silent Magician had always been too quiet or too shy to have his input and normally never spoke out of line. Even in his prime and older, he was as his title reputed and spoke through his actions on the battlefield. When his clinch only became tighter, I hugged him back and kissed his nose. "Love you, Silent Magician."

"Love you too…," he murmured troublesomely. Finally he disappeared and appeared as a figurine between my fingers.

The last of my six spirits perched high at my ankle and I wryly smiled. "Making my ankle fall asleep isn't the same as the rest of me, Silent Swordsman."

"Just 'cause I'm a midget, kid, don't mean I got no idea what I'm doing." He matched my bitter grin, eyes narrowed through his pale goggles. It was funny how he was able to pull off that smirk of his in such a cute, round face. His grin slowly twisted and he frowned. "You worry me too much."

"I worry everyone too much." Which was true. I folded my arms and waited for the rest of his forthcoming lecture.

"No lecture from me, kid. That's Black Magician's thing," he responded as if he heard my thoughts. Silent Swordsman instead shook his head and appeared between my legs. "Man…there's so much I wish I could tell you, kid. Sometimes it makes me wonder if I'm even worthy of being in your presence."

"…you know me," I said quietly. It wasn't like Silent Swordsman to get so worked up. If he truly had something to tell me then now was the time. "Everyone is worth something. Therefore, everybody is worthy and there is no such thing as actual 'worthiness.'"

"Yeah, yeah." A sad grin appeared across his lips. "You were like this before, too, kid."

"Like what?"

"Like this. You put everyone else's self-being over your own, kid." He giggled softly and shook his head. "Sometimes I just wanna smack ya, you know? Hot damn, I just wanna kick your ass for being such a benevolent soul…but if I did that, I'd have nothing to fight for."

"Thanks…I think." I spread my arms in attempt to hug him, but he slapped them away.

Instead, Silent Swordsman grasped my face, eyes narrowed to my own with a wily frown. "Listen, kid. You gotta be selfish once in a while; otherwise I really will smack you, understood? Get some back bone and shove your hand down their pants for once. Understood?"

"Right." I resisted the temptation to roll my eyes. Instead, I coyly smiled again. "Um. Now may I hug you?"

"If I were a genie your wish would be my command. But I'm not, so I'll hug you with no nepotism or obligation involved." With a light snicker, Silent Swordsman pulled me into the hug himself and sighed. "I'll whoop your ass, you know."

I nodded. "I know."

"I won't even hesitate to kick you in the shin if you bottle everything up."

"I know."

"Shove your hand down their pants."

"I…no?"

"Mm. And Yugi?"

I blinked, confusion taking over as Silent Swordsman detached himself from my limbs. "Yeah?"

"You've still got one hell of a boner."

"W-Well, s-stop poking it!"

theotherme.

"You're hugging me too tight--is it even possible for you to hug me right now? Bah, I'm a spirit; how much of this really counts?" Red danced across my cheeks. I shut my eyes, feeling the broad arms somehow wrapping around my form. Guilt surged at the pit of my stomach and for a second I could sense Atemu's disarray. I patted his arm gently, still very unsure how he was even able to touch me, but said nothing of it. "Could you at least finish your bath?"

After a moment's hesitation, Atemu released his grip and I pressed a hand to my face. Only when I heard him plop into the water did I open my eyes again with an even smile. His magnificent ruby red eyes examined my own body and a flicker ignited between the pair of irises. Water destroyed his unruly locks, bringing them into an unceremonious halt and framed his exquisitely constructed face. His nose stayed even at the middle of his face, mouth stuck at a crooked 'o' and eyebrows furrowed to my form.

…bah, what the heck am I doing?! I pressed another hand to my face, far too embarrassed to actually look at him. After my little talk with Silent Swordsman, I found a little loophole in all of my spirits' wishes: they wanted me to take a break. They never said that I actually had to sleep. After hours of isolating myself in the furthest corners of Atemu's mind (which this time was actually unintentional), I planned to appear before him. I made a promise to him not too long ago that we would be able to talk about things.

Even looking at him now, the stress added onto his makeup was gone. Normally the decisions made as king would dabble in his mind for ages before something could be concluded, and that was the stress of the pharaoh. Coated with my disappearance in the past three weeks, Atemu the night before looked devastated. It was my duty and mine alone to help him through the problems he faced. If I couldn't even do that job, what good was I?

"Sorry," he grumbled.

"Bwah? Sorry?" I repeated. My eyes doubled in size and I shook my head. "Sorry for what? I told you already none of it was your fault."

"Yet had I not kissed you…"

"Th-That kiss had nothing to do with it!" I arched an eyebrow, mortified by the gesture. Red rose from the surface of my cheeks and swam to the tips of my ears. I was lying, obviously, but that hadn't been one of my reasons for coming out.

His eyes never left my own. Immediately I once again closed my eyes, hand pressed to my forehead as that measly foreign word sang through my ears. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. He dropped his gaze, eyes looking away and fingers intertwined above his lip as he tried to sort his own thoughts.

Silence induced us. I plopped to my bottom and watched him. His essence was no different from before. Beautiful, intricate and exquisite. Though his hair was wet and matted, it shimmered with the same supremacy as it always did. His tan was even, untainted by no one and even comically his forehead, where he complained would probably have the bluntest tan line, was the same rich caramel as the rest of him. I bit my lip, eyes connecting with the red jewels that adorned his eyes.

They were covered in beauty, sculpted by extravagance, and blessed by the Gods. Atemu, though harsh and defiant, never let something wear him down for far too long. If they presented a trouble to him, he dismissed it. He did well as the pharaoh and sometimes it was hard to believe that a fine ruler as he would still doubt his own skill.

Years with the court had aged him. Atemu had been shoved mercilessly back and forth from one issue to another, completely unaware of his other surroundings. That was why I existed. I became his better ears and his better eyes, but only he was the one who could ever make the choice. At first I really was just his inner child. It was funny how he could just look at me and feel that everything would be okay even when I was a nervous wreck.

What always seemed to be changing were those orbs. It was hard to tell what was on his mind if you didn't already know him. Atemu was able to appear as ferocious as a beast in a tone as peaceful as a dove if he wanted to. His eyes aged faster than his body. Whatever he saw one day disturbed him, but the next it would be put away like a meaningless memory. Which…it always was.

"Stop staring," I said quietly. "It's weird when you don't blink."

"Are you not staring at me as well?" he mused. My eyes fell to the ground, brow knitting together as I endured his teasing. Red danced across my cheeks; I'd forgotten what affect he had on me whenever we were in the same room. "I apologize, my light."

"You…," I choked, "you don't need to. I'm the one who worried you by going so far in your mind."

"Ah." A gleam appeared in his crimson orbs and he perked at the mention of his mind. Atemu watched me curiously and rested his palm at the crown of his head. "You never did explain why you had to go so far, little one."

"I didn't? Hm, I guess I didn't." I slowly nodded and scratched my head. "Um…how to explain this…when I'm in the furthest depths of your mind, I isolate myself so that you may not see me. I just need time to sort my thoughts out."

"I see." He stared at the waters, contemplating his own thoughts. I felt his confusion tug at my chest, followed by his anxiety. I hesitantly smiled, noting all of the many feelings.

What was this we had between us? Our emotions were attuned to each other and I'd seen the way he reacted with my emotions. We were so sensitive to each other's presence that it was frightening. What was it? This…this mind link? I snapped out of my observations as he wearily sighed and yawned.

"You should rest," I said thoughtfully. Then, I paused and resisted the urge to roll my eyes. When I got back into the puzzle, the spirits would certainly mock me for using their own words.

"Does it happen often?"

"Does what happen often?"

"Do you always escape to the furthest corners of my mind in order to clear your thoughts?" Atemu's eyes narrowed, eyebrows furrowed and he truly did look heartbroken.

I blushed, hands fiddling with the buckle of my choker. "N…no…sometimes it's just…you know, an accident. You and I both know that I'm not that coordinated."

"That may be," he muttered. We fell into another quiet spell, his attention back to cleansing his body while my fingers treaded the water. I snapped out of my thoughts when he swam to my side and hoisted himself up to the ledge where he sat next to me. "Your lack of coordination is actually one of your more charming features, little one."

Gods, did he have to be so mystical with his words? I squirmed, eyes tightly shut and hand pressed to my lids. My entire head tucked to my chest, cheeks blistering and another headache nibbled at my mind. It was one of the other affects that Atemu had on me. No matter what he did it seemed as though he would trigger yet another one of my memories. Who was it in my psyche that buzzed so obnoxiously and begged me to find their name? What connection did they have with the King of Egypt?

I felt a hand wrap around my shoulders and pull me into an embrace. "Your headaches," he murmured quietly. "Are they another symptom to your memories, little one?"

"Y…yeah…" I slowly nodded and scooted away from him. Atemu watched with mild interest, hurt. "Don't worry about me too much," I assured with a smile. "I'll be fine. Instead…" In a large flash through golden elegance, he and I disappeared. In Atemu's physical state stood me and in my spiritual place stood Atemu, fully clad in his tunic, cape, and crown. "I want you to sleep. Today, I'll take care of your duties, understood?"

Atemu frowned, one hand dropping to caress my cheek. I bit back the temptation to stutter, eyes instead facing his form as his red eyes glimmered in disapproval. "I would rather you rest if your memories overwhelm you."

"And I would rather you rest if my disappearance had caused so much distraught." I clasped a hand over his and pushed it away. "I take care of you, the pharaoh, Atemu. It's not the other way around."

"And if I wish it to be? If I wish for the permission to stand by your side and act as the barrier around you so no harm will ever come of your essence?" Atemu cupped my face, eyes narrowed with ardent determination.

I couldn't look him in the eye. Everything I had planned to say turned into goo and melted in a jumble mess in my brain--I really couldn't look him in the eye. My head buzzed with that one little word--Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark. Dark.--and he was meddling with my heart again. I pushed him away softly, one hand to my forehead as I tried to calm them and I forced a stern smile. "Sleep in your soul room. Or at least watch from there, got it? I'll be fine."

"But--"

"No buts. If you want to stand by my side, then you'll go away for a few hours," I joked. For a moment we sat there, and I realized I was still holding onto both of his hands. After going through every decision in my mind, I pressed a kiss to his palm and forced it at the Millennium Puzzle hanging at my neck; the one he never took off even when bathing. "Good night, my pharaoh."

In an instant, he had slapped my hand away from the Millennium Puzzle. I looked to his stoic expression, confused, but he pulled me into a hug. He forced a kiss onto my mouth, fingers wrapped around my ears.

My mind turned into jelly. I never actually had a chance to register it, only watching with surprise to his tenderness. In seconds it was over, those red eyes hovering over mine with apparent desire. He wanted me. A small smile sewed his lips together and he held the pendant in his hands. "Sweet dreams."

In a flash, he left and I sat there all alone, fingers digging into my bare lap and trying to form a more solid thought than "uwha?". I'd never…I'd never actually said that he couldn't kiss me; that was a mistake on my part. Then again, I never actually thought he would do it again.

Memories scoured my mind. Before one was finished another was starting, going faster than even the beating of my heart. Every other time I blinked I saw the mischief dance in his ruby-red eyes. Then…crimson.

Dark. Atemu. Dark. Atemu. Dark. Atemu.

Gosh, darnit.

--

Author's Note:

Hmm, I think I already know what your guys' reply is about this chapter, haha. Honestly? I never see Atemu as a jerk to Yugi whenever I write these. I see him more as a…lovestruck school girl. Looks like Yugi's creating a bit of a love triangle for himself. Sorry this chapter isn't as long as the one before (less than half, obviously). It was gonna be longer, but this seemed like a good place to cut off, so…yeah. Heehee. While writing this, I actually realized that we're eight chapters in and Yugi's thoughts while talking to Atemu were never really written out except for their first confrontation. Hope this gives you a good image of how he can be. Well, it's read, so review, please!