Disclaimer: If I owned Yugioh, Atem and Mana would be a prominent couple, so I obviously don't own it.

Author's note: Here's the chapter I've been wanting to post…! Don't make me go all freaky and lovey-dovey on you cause I already have in this chapter! EEE! I'm excited…!

No one to thank yet, cause I'm posting this right after the last one!

WARNING: cheese and fluff! (Major) you can laugh if you like, but let's face it, love and romance involve cheese and fluff and lots of it!

VASESHIPPING!

Confessions

The party was tomorrow—all the kings were invited, along with the princesses. She knew that Aknamkanon wanted Atem to marry soon, but…

Weren't her and Atem…? Hadn't he…?

She was so confused.

Mana now sat alone by the pond in the Jasmine Garden, picking moodily at one of the delicate flowers. She knew how she felt, she knew how he felt. Had anyone not noticed the way they were lately? Apparently Aknamkanon hadn't been around enough to notice. But how was she supposed to tell them? How would they react?

She sighed, staring at her reflection in the clear pond miserably. Her eyes were noticeably red, even though she had tried to stop the stupid tears over and over again. She shouldn't be crying.

Mana was a Guardian and a Magician—sure, she wasn't a full-fledged priest like the other Guardians, but she was working on it. She was a high enough class for him to marry, wasn't she?

A hand brushed a lock of hair away from her face and she jumped. "Sorry," Atem said, "I didn't mean to scare you."

For a moment, Mana tried to forget he was there—but that was impossible. She was aware of him even when he wasn't around. She forced a laugh, "Its okay."

Atem studied her carefully, "Mana? Something wrong?"

She closed her eyes, fighting the swelling in her chest. She loved that he had noticed something was wrong, she loved how he always gave her his undivided attention when they were together—she loved everything about him. Quickly, Mana shook her head, "Nothing."

He leaned around to see her face, pulling her chin gently towards him when she looked away. A look of realization betrayed his shock.

"Are you crying?" he asked, clearly surprised.

Mana pushed herself up, standing and taking a few steps away from him. Atem followed, grabbing her hand.

Carefully, so as not to hurt his feelings, Mana disengaged her hand from his and crossed both arms over her chest. Atem set his hands on her shoulders, squeezing gently. "Mana," he begged softly, "What's wrong? Please, tell me. I don't want you to cry."

She loved that he was worried and she loved that he didn't want her to cry. Before she could stop them, tears slid down her cheeks and she fought the urge to breathe. For a long time she succeeded, but eventually she had to breathe, and it came out in a gasp.

"Mana, please," Atem pleaded softly as Mana pulled away.

Now Atem was confused. Didn't Mana know that he would do anything for her?

Mana sped away, Atem calling after her: "Mana!" he cried, sounding hurt and confused. There was a note of pain in his voice, and that was the only thing that made her stop at the garden wall. "Why won't you tell me? If I can help you, I want to."

"Just go away," Mana choked.

There was a moment of silence. "Fine," he said, barely above a whisper and yet loud enough for her to her. His deep voice was full emotion. He sounded hurt. He turned away, his cape rising behind him.

Before she could stop herself, Mana was crying after him: "Atem, wait! Come back!"

Atem stopped almost at once, looking back only with his head. He didn't say anything, but his eyes betrayed him. They looked hurt, and that alone burned her to the core, burned her good and deep. Mana swallowed, the tears welling more in her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out, and she eventually looked away.

Shaking his head, Atem turned away. Mana didn't like his back to her, and she went running after him automatically. "Atem!" she cried, "I'm sorry, I just…" she stopped herself, and Atem kept walking. She kept trying to get out what she was trying to say, but it couldn't seem to find a way out.

Finally, as he was almost out of sight, Mana blurted desperately: "Atem, it's because I love you!"

Gasping, Mana slapped her hand over her mouth, eyes wide. Had she really said what she thought she had? Had it really come out at long last?

Now he paused, and Mana wasn't sure if she should have kept her big mouth shut. Everything always seemed to come out at the wrong time!

He turned around fractionally, "What?" Mana looked away, down at her feet, biting her lip. Atem came back, standing before her. "Tell me again how you feel about me, Mana," he pleaded softly.

She swallowed and looked up into his amethyst gaze, finally managing to say it. "I love you."

Atem smiled and his eyes softened. "Mana, don't you know that I love you?"

Mana's heart jumped in her chest. "You do?" she whispered, and Atem nodded.

He stroked her face, "Of course I do. How could you doubt it? Is that why you were crying?" he asked, taking her hands.

"Well, I mean, there's that party tomorrow and I was just thinking about Aknamkanon and how he wants you to marry and…" Mana babbled. "I mean…" she trailed off again, "Do you really love me, Atem?"

Atem kissed her forehead, "Of course I love you. I always have."

"Like…" she said, thinking all was too good to be true, "You're… in, love with me?"

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, "Yes, darling, I'm in love with you."

A slow beaming smile spread across Mana's face. Happiness danced inside her. Giggling, she threw her arms around him. "I love you, Atem."

"I love you too, Mana," he said, closing his eyes. More than you know.

Mana squeezed him tightly. "Do we still have to go to that party tomorrow?" she quietly pouted.

He rubbed her back, sighing, "You know I have to announce my Court of Kings. And it's the best way to break it to everyone that I'm taken." Atem smiled to himself, very much liking the idea.

Mana smiled, liking the way it sounded—Atem was hers. Looking up at him, she grinned, "As long as I get to stay with you, I guess I'll survive."

"You really don't like those parties, do you?" he asked.

She shook her head wholeheartedly, "Uh-uh. They always made me kind of mad."

The two linked hands and started walking, "Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore, do you?"

Mana squeezed his hand, "Nope."

I know it's a short chapter, don't kill me! ^{}^ I just figured the cheese and fluff had gone on long enough, so… well, I ended it! Review, please!

-Anevay