Hey everyone!

I still meant for this one to be earlier too but I was on vacation for the weekend and I didn't get back until Tuesday morning. So I buckled down and started to finish what I wrote last week. Now before you read, I want to warn you that there is a lot that goes on in this chapter. Like a lot. Mostly because we're close to seeing the end of Atem and Seth's part of the story and also we need to see more of the present than the past. I don't know when it will happen but soon we'll see who killed Atem and probably what happens in the time that Atem is gone but nothing more after that. Then the fic will focus more on the present day people and how their stories end. This is bittersweet for me because I love writing the past part but the story is progressing and I'm very happy for that because everything will go full circle.

I want to say thank you to DisShattered and Ariana for their reviews! It was so great to hear from both a new fan and an older fan of this fic and see what they both had to say. Now without further adieu~

On with the chapter!

Chapter Seven: My Life Is A Play

Monday had both taken forever to arrive and came too soon. It was rather hard to explain how that came to be but Yami still felt it all the same. He dragged his feet over to his desk and slumped in his chair, without being home, he didn't have his usual routine so he felt tired for some reason. He had been waiting for his friends to arrive when Kaiba strutted in the doorway. Though he would never want to admit it loudly, Yami always admired the air of confidence the CEO had whenever he was around. Of course, he was a very confident person, he didn't do it in the same style as the other teen did. He didn't bother to look up at the brunet as he sat down. He gazed at his phone uninterestedly, wondering if BlueEyes1025 was going to send him a message or not.

It was strange; he usually got a message from the teen before class yet today was different. He hadn't heard from the other since the night before. He wasn't sure if it was because what he had told him last night that BlueEyes1025 was not texting him this morning. It was bizarre for him to not have his friend talking to him. He was nice to talk to because he didn't share him with anyone else. Yes, it sounded pretty creepy of him to think that and he wasn't sure where that thought had come from. He had never been so possessive of someone before. What a funny feeling to have for someone! The last thing he had expected was to have these feelings.

While Yami was stuck in his own little world, Seto was musing over some stuff. He had a dream of meeting Dark_Magician318 and it didn't go in the way he would have thought it would be. Seto didn't know what to make of his dream. He figured it was due to all of those sappy cartoons his brother was having him watch every Sunday. He was way more affectionate in his dream than he normally was in real life. That's not even mentioning what Dark_Magician318 was doing and saying in his dream. It played out like a damn Disney movie. He was half expecting them to start singing when he woke up but luckily, he was very much spared from that embarrassment. He planned on sending a message to his 'friend' when the bell ringing took him out of his thoughts. He glanced over at Yami and noticed him staring at his phone. What was he waiting for?

He didn't have much time to mull over this when all of Yami's friends came running in and talking to him before class began. They were all too peppy for his style. Anzu was always talking about friendship and Jounochi was too into himself. He didn't know why he didn't like the blond but he didn't. It always brought him so much joy to see himself doing better than him in their classes. Still, he didn't pose much of a challenge as Yami did. He loved the competition they have together to get the top grades. They were pretty much tied. (He was better at math and science while Yami's skills were in writing and history; they traded grades in reading and their language classes.)

He didn't pay much attention when Mai had walked in and gave them a project. They would work in pairs again. The only reason he paid attention was when he and Yami were partnered up. He knew he had to pay attention to what their project was going to be. He didn't like the fact he wouldn't be able to work alone, but at least he wasn't partnered with Jounochi. If he had to listen to that idiot talk all class long, he would pretend he had a meeting just to run away. They moved their desks together and waited for their teacher to give them the topic of their project. Seto noticed that Yami was distracted and kept stealing glances at his phone. He stopped when Mai came up to their desks.

"I want you both to research how this school came to be, write a report about it and present it in class," Mai said brightly before going to the next group.

As it turned out, there weren't enough students to be paired up so Jou was going to be working with Mai. Yami smiled at that, knowing that he was going to tease his brother about it when they got home. He was still wondering why BlueEyes1025 hadn't sent him a text yet. He was kind of getting worried for his friend, what if something bad happened? He thought about sending him a message but changed his mind when Kaiba cleared his throat. He looked up at the other with a vacant expression.

"Do you want to go to the library?" Seto asked.

Yami nodded, "Yeah I was about to suggest that actually."

"Sure," He responded before getting a notebook and a pen out from his briefcase.

Yami rolled his eyes, also getting a notebook and a pen before leaving to go to the library. Taking the chance to use his phone, since he wasn't in class, he found his friend's contact and sent him a quick message. 'Are you okay? You usually send me something in the morning and you haven't today. I was a bit concerned.' It didn't take too long for it to send but was surprised when Kaiba's phone made a noise. He watched the other let out a curse before looking at his phone and putting on silent.

"One of my assistants giving me my hourly update," He said before opening the door to the library.

Yami replied, "Sounds to me that you really like to micromanage people."

"I own the company I run, so I want to make sure everything is flowing smoothly. Call me a micromanager but I like to make sure my employees aren't screwing it up," He said.

Yami shrugged, "I guess so. I still feel sorry for those folks who work for you."

They got to the computers and he noticed Seto on his phone before logging in to student portal. A few seconds later, his own phone lightly buzzed in his pocket. He waited for it to buzz a second time before pulling it out, looking down to see who it was from and sure enough it was from BlueEyes1025. {Sorry, I was running late this morning so I didn't have time. Did you sleep well?}

BlueEyes1025 couldn't be Kaiba Seto, right? It could have just been a coincidence that his phone got a message the moment that Yami sent his. Same with right now when Seto sent something to his assistant. Who's to say that he isn't texting to his assistant? He was a CEO; he was bound to have some sort of person or people to boss around. On the reverse side, it was the same thing he could be texting Yami while claiming to be texting his assistant. But why would he lie about that? Well, Kaiba wasn't one to talk about his personal life. He could easily lie, since he didn't know Dark_Magician318 was Yami. It was very confusing with this back and forth action with his mind. It could have easily been some strange coincidence. There was no way Kaiba was BlueEyes1025, he wouldn't be concerned about someone or actually talk to someone in a civil manner. It didn't matter how handsome he was-

"Are you going to do research or are you content with staring at the computer screen all day?" Seto asked in his usual manner.

He definitely wasn't BlueEyes1025.

Yami answered, "I was trying to remember where I saw the history of the school. I could have sworn that I read a book about the history of Domino somewhere. I just don't remember if it was here or if it was at the public library."

"You read books at the public library? I guess it doesn't help to check if there is such a book at the public library," He said.

Seto picked up his phone and barked some orders about finding a book concerning the history about Domino and school. He hung up without hearing any sort of response from the other and went back to his computer as if their entire conversation didn't happen. Yami had watched this scene unfold around him as quickly as it did. He didn't understand just how the other teen could focus on a task without getting distracted or even thinking of anything else. Yami decided that he had to focus on the research as well and ask the almighty Google if it knew anything. Aside from the history of the game called Dominos, and a pizza place, he found something rather interesting. It was a portrait of someone, they were rather handsome or at least what he could see through the mask. He was kind of weirded out that the mysterious boy looked very much like him. He zoomed in on the signature; he couldn't make much out on it other than a 'K'. Where was this portrait at anyway, it was obviously old and professionally done.

They agreed to do research on their own tonight and discuss what they found the next day. Which was a relief because the portrait still unnerved him; he wanted to know more about it and the person in it. Why did they look so similar? Who was he? Where the hell was that portrait? The rest of the school day seemed to go on without a hitch and before he knew it, he was at the game shop. Yugi and his grandfather weren't there because the older man had a doctor's appointment. Anzu and Jou were running some errands for Pegasus, thus he was all by himself. Since it was a Monday, not many people went to the game shop, so he used the time to catch up on homework and do his project.

Domino back in the day was very cool to look at. The public library used to be a monastery for monks and it apparently did have a library. He would have given anything to look at it; it must have looked so great in its heyday. The school, which was what he was supposed to be looking up, had been one of the first public schools to ever be made. The idea was given by a prince, who got the inspiration from some noble who was rather progressive. He was too enthralled with what he was looking at, he didn't notice the bell on the door ring or someone come in.

"You work so hard every single day."

Yami turned around, "What do you want Bakura?"

"No greeting or a smile, just straight to business when it comes to you," Bakura said as he looked at what was on the computer, "Ah. Interested in Domino history, it's surprisingly plays out like a great Shakespearian play."

Yami furrowed his eyebrows, "What do you know about the history of Domino?"

"In my profession, you need to know your history. That's how you know about the valuables. I have a few of some of the collectables of the time you're looking up. There is one I'm very interested in but at the moment I can't get it," Bakura mused.

Yami made a face, "And what is this thing you're so interested in?"

"Oh just something in the public library," He answered, "one of these days it will belong to me. It caught my attention when I was a small boy. Just like how one of these days, you'll be mine too," He said with a smile.

The teen looked disgusted at the sheer thought of that happening, "I highly doubt that. I'll be kicking and screaming the entire time."

"That's what makes it fun," The man answered before heading for the door, "Oh. By the way, you might want to be careful lest you want history to repeat itself."

Yami waited for the man to leave before he shivered yet that message was way more cryptic than what he would have liked it to be. What was Bakura playing at? What did he know about the history of Domino? What was in the library? Deciding he needed to find out, he left the shop and locked the door, very glad that Pegasus wasn't in town to see this. He would have had a heart attack if he knew that Yami just up and locked the shop up in the middle of the day. The library wasn't that far from the shop so it wasn't like he was going clear across the city. Now knowing the library used to be a monastery, he could see it now in the architecture. It was kind of nice that the people who first made it into a library kept most of the original foundation.

He didn't see anything interesting on the ground floor that would interest Bakura's eyes. He seldom went upstairs but decided it was a good place to look. Going up the stairs, he barely took notice of the assistant librarian putting books away. He was too busy looking at the walls when he turned to the centre of the room and found it. In a glass case, in the middle of where the comfortable chairs were all around like sentinels, was the portrait he had seen on the internet. Walking closer to it, he could see the little details. Obviously it was a sketch that had touches of colour in certain places. He could tell that the mask was supposed to be see-through, not that he still knew much about the person behind the mask. The one thing the artist really wanted to show was the eyes. The crimson orbs looking out from the mask were full of emotions that he couldn't tell what it was. He still didn't know what was so important about it but he felt like he needed to know more about this person.

Suddenly, the world around him seemed to go in slow motion. He turned to look around him and when he turned back the portrait was gone. In its place was a young man dressed as if he was going to masquerade. He looked just as confused as Yami was and the pair were staring at one another. Was he really that much sleep deprived or hungry that he was hallucinating that some guy came out of a portrait? The young man seemed to snap out of it before he did.

"Since you look exactly like me, I'm assuming you are who I will be," He said, his voice sounding like it was far away though he was so close.

Yami walked closer, and sure enough, behind the light mask, the guy looked just like him, "Holy shit. I-wha- how is this possible? This doesn't even make any sense. How can we see each other?"

"I'm sure someone in the heavens has something to do with it, time is none existent when they're involved. I guess the fact that I can see you means that my time is really up," He said.

Yami blinked, "Okay, this is a lot to take in all in one go. I'm you? You're not from this time? Somehow we're talking? Are you dying? What is your name?"

"Atem. What is your name?" He asked.

Yami replied with his name, though he was still very confused with everything. Not to mention Atem only answered one of his questions.

"Yami,"Atem replied before his face got serious, "I don't have much longer with you. Let me leave you with this: don't get too reckless with your life. Know when the game is over and when it is the time to be honest. Tell him the truth. Watch out for thieves and fake families. Hopefully your story won't be too much like mine. I made a mistake, Yami, I- I – Please promise me that you'll be honest with him the moment you have the chance to."

Yami was at a loss but knew he wasn't going to forget that warning, "How do you know about him? How do you know he doesn't know who I am?"

"Because we are one in the same but please tell him as soon as you can, it will help you in the long run I promise," Atem said with a smile.

Yami nodded. If Atem wanted to say much more he didn't, instead the library came back into focus and when he turned around, not remembering when he looked away, the portrait was back. What just happened? He still wasn't sure if he had hallucinated it all or not, a normal person would have ran but he was still there rather entranced by it all.

The last words he heard Atem tell him still had him wondering. Let me leave you with this: don't get too reckless with your life. What did that mean? Was he reckless? Know when the game is over and when it is the time to be honest. Okay yes, but Yami wasn't playing games with BlueEyes1025, they were just friends! Tell him the truth. He wanted to but what if it didn't end the way he wanted it to? He didn't want to lose a friend. Besides, it wasn't like he was lying to the other teen. They both met in some chat room so he technically wasn't lying to him. Watch out for thieves and fake families. Watching out for Bakura was easy. Watching out for Pegasus was something he couldn't do. It was obvious that Atem's life had been similar to his. It made him wonder what if Atem's family was as bad as his was. Hopefully your story won't be too much like mine. He wanted to know what the entirety of Atem's story was like. Who was the person he had seemingly tricked? Did he want to be friends with said person or was there more to it? I made a mistake… Doesn't everyone? Just how bad was this mistake? Is that why he looked so serious? Please promise me that you'll be honest with him the moment you have the chance to. He really wanted to! There were a lot of complications; again, it wasn't like he was lying. They both were using usernames on the internet. No one really knew who the other person was on the internet. Of course, Atem wouldn't know about the internet or even how it worked.

He looked at the time and left the library, not expecting to be gone for over an hour. He did leave a note and perhaps Anzu and Jou were back. While he was walking, his phone softly buzzed in his pocket and he read the message that was left for him. {I've been thinking and if it's okay with you, I want to meet you. I have to go to some gala that Kaiba Corp is hosting if you want to meet me there. Let me know what you think.}

Seth had been knocked out by the gypsies and by the time he came to, Atem was with him. As it turned out, the lord was keeping his word. He was kind of surprised that he was actually going along with this. He hadn't really expected the lord to do so. Still, he was grateful. They were given a horse and soon Seth and Atem had left the group of gypsies and were heading back to Atem's. Seth wasn't sure if it was because of the situation or was Akai rather subdued? He didn't want to put pressure on him and he kind of enjoyed that the other male's arms were wrapped around him while they rode off.

Atem could feel his heart pounding loudly in his ears and in his chest. He should have been home hours ago, hopefully Dartz hadn't noticed or was so tuckered out he went to bed. He knew it was less likely but he could hope, right? He figured he might as well enjoy the short time he and Seth had left together. Perhaps he held on to the other tighter than he should have but he didn't want to forget what it felt like when they were so close. It might not have officially been a good bye and yet it felt like one to him. With him owing Akefia, he knew the man would ask to collect very soon. Though he had no idea what Akefia was going to ask of him, he could only guess would have to do with the man's desires of Atem. He would have thought more of it but the horse stopped.

"I'm sure you don't want to scare your family so late at night," Seth said.

Atem nodded as he let go of the other, "Well. Thank you for taking me to the library, it was so lovely."

"I'm glad you liked it. Maybe we'll go back one of these days," He said.

Atem agreed, "Perhaps."

"Let's meet up the morning after this one. Lets meet at the lake and we'll go from there," The prince said as he helped the other down.

He nodded again, "I'll be there for sure."

They lingered longer than normal, staring at one other. Time stood still yet again and Atem felt the need to do something he shouldn't. Leaning up, he pulled Seth closer to him and kissed him on the lips. Seth was rather surprised at first but kissed him back with gusto. What had brought this up? He didn't want to think that Akai was had been that worried when he got knocked out. Of course, if the situation was reversed then he would perhaps be worried as well. He held onto Akai closely only to let go when they both pulled away from the kiss. Still lingering in each other's arms and making eyes, neither ready to move or ruin the moment.

Atem spoke first, "I should go…"

"Alright, I'll see you at the lake," Seth said.

Atem agreed before turning and leaving. He entered though the back, making sure that Seth was long gone before he did so. He found his clothes in his room, changing into them before he hid the other clothes to give to the laundry ladies when he woke up. Getting in his bed, he closed his eyes and slowly drifted to sleep. His mind not ready to quit with all of the thoughts about what happened today from the library to the kiss, it was a whirlwind for him.

In the morning he heard loud voiced seemingly getting closer and a broom attacking his face, which woke him up with a start. He looked up to see Dartz and Siegfried with Leon looking cautiously from the door way. Judging by the looks of the three it wasn't going to take some genius to tell him either they did notice he was gone or he slept in rather late. Before anyone spoke, Mana and Mahado ran in, claiming Atem had gotten sick and needed rest, much like they had apparently claimed earlier. Leon chimed in with agreement, stating that Atem's vacant look meant that he had to be sick. It made Atem want to laugh but he was too tired, he could hardly keep his eyes open no matter how hard he tried. He felt himself going in and out of consciousness over and over again. Dartz seemingly was convinced of Atem's 'sickness' for he and Siegfried left him be. When he came too again, Leon was sitting beside him near the bed. A chair had been brought in. When did this happen? How long had he been out?

Leon looked around making sure that no one was around them, "What really happened Atem?"

"You want the truth don't you?" He asked.

The boy nodded, "Preferably."

Atem sighed and soon he was telling the young boy everything. When he first met the prince, when he first lied to the prince, even up to the kiss from the night before and Leon listened to it all patiently. Though the boy was expressionless, inside he saw the red flags all over. If Siegfried and his father were to find out then Atem's life would most definitely be in danger. All of the questions were answered for Leon. That was how Mahado got released, and why Atem wasn't at the farmer's market, and most definitely why Atem was acting strange today. He wasn't sick at all! He was rather glad that his dear step-brother made a love connection and with the prince no doubt. But this was so complicated with the secrets and the lies and everything. There was no way this would be ending well unless something was fixed and soon. Plus, there was that Lord Akefia complication.

Leon finally spoke after a while, "When do you see him again?"

"Tomorrow by the lake in the morning," Atem replied.

He said, "Well then, make sure that by the end of that conversation that Prince Seth knows everything. You need to give him the time for things to sink in. But from what you're telling me, he's changing things. If it works out in the end, he will be an amazing king."

Atem was surprised that it went better than what he thought it was going to be. Leon was usually the best voice of reason anyone would have. To not only have him agreeing on something but also scolding him for lying was a great thing to have. Leon left with a reminder that he needed to get his rest up before leaving in the morning. Leon was going to make up a crazy story on how Atem was so sick he almost threw up blood. With any luck, his father would believe him and not think about going to see if it was actually true. Frankly, he was very happy for Atem and for Prince Seth. Granted, he thought that Prince Seth got the better end of that deal.

Dartz, meanwhile, hadn't expected Atem to have some mini rebellion going on. He knew the boy wasn't sick though he had played very well and seemingly convinced the staff that he was. If the staff wasn't more loyal to Atem than they were to him, he would have had the boy whipped without a second thought. Of course, if he had asked that, it would never happen, he would have to do it himself. He didn't really want to actually have to get his own hands dirty. He preferred having others do his dirty work for him rather than being the one perceived as cruel. He knocked on the door and waited for the trembling servant before him to lead him to a sitting room. He hadn't waited too long before the master of the house had appeared before him.

"Lord Akefia," Dartz said in greeting.

Akefia smiled, "Why Lord Dartz. Fancy seeing you in my humble house, how may I help you?"

Humble house was an understatement; the manor was lavishly decorated with fine goods from all over. Dartz wouldn't put it passed Akefia to have the majority of these things stolen. Naturally, he was going to keep his mouth shut about it. The said lord was just the person he wanted for the job he was having in mind so he had to butter the man up. This wasn't exactly hard to do when he had something that the Lord Akefia so desperately wanted.

"I think we both know why I'm here and I think I have an offer I know you won't be able to refuse," He said calmly.

Akefia lifted an eyebrow carefully as he regarded the other, "Oh? Do go on then."

"Tomorrow, you can collect, just wait until he's out of the house, since he wanders off so frequently. That way when someone notices him missing, I can pretend I didn't see it," He spoke.

The thief smiled brightly as if Christmas had finally arrived, "You mean to tell me, you're agreeing to give me your step-son? What happened to the whole 'needing to keep him around to appease the servants' bit?"

"I won't need him if he's gotten kidnapped by some rouge, do I?" The other asked and then said as an afterthought, "You don't even have to give me something in return. Just take him away from me and be discreet about it."

The next morning, though unbeknown to him what would happen later, Atem woke up refreshed. He changed into the clothes Leon had brought up for him; it was simpler compared to the other outfits he wore previously. After saying goodbye to Mana, Mahado and the others, he took a deep breath before leaving through the back door and headed towards the lake. Apart of him was trembling while the other part of him felt like he was in some crazy dream. He still hadn't answered his own question, why was he so reckless with his life? He still hadn't found the answer. Maybe he never would find the answer and would have to live the rest of his days never knowing.

The lake looked just as inviting as it had before and Seth wasn't far off from him. He had his horse tied near the tree and was sitting by the lake. Apparently Seth was also down for dressing very simply. Atem didn't get a chance to really speak when he was taken up on the horse with Seth and they rode off. Seth was being rather secretive about where they were going until they ended up in some abandoned looking palace. Seth looked rather excited to show him this place but he really wasn't sure why he was. Sure, it was huge and nice but still abandoned.

"I decided that I want to make an institution of learning," Seth began, "When I become king I want to contribute something to our society and this place used to be a summer castle but as you see it's in ruins."

Atem looked around, trying to imagine an institute of learning here, "It would be amazing to behold once this place gets cleaned up and fixed. But there are several places of learning and universities, what makes this one different?"

"This one will be open for everyone to use regardless of status or wealth. Here a noble and the son of a tradesman can learn together as long as they both have a desire to do so and they will be equal," Seth said proudly.

Atem's eyes went wide, "That- that's amazing Seth! I know of several people who would give anything to be here learning with everyone."

"You're the one who gave me the idea," He said pulling the other close, "You and your passionate beliefs on equality for all were my inspiration for this."

Leon was right after all, Seth had begun to change. In the short time they had known each other; the prince had gained some maturity. It was hard to believe that Seth had been really listening to what he had said. To know that it was because of him this school was going to be made was almost too much for Atem. He was very excited for this but knowing that he had mostly lied to the prince about everything was gnawing at his insides. The ride back was filled with Seth talking about his many ideas for what he planned for the school to become. Atem listened and added some ideas of his own, to which Seth had wholeheartedly embraced. When they reached the lake, they lingered yet again in each other's arms. He really didn't want to be honest with him. He really didn't.

"You've been quieter than usual," Seth stated.

Atem looked up at the other, "There is something you need to know about me."

"I'm sure anything you have to say isn't going to change much, unless you're leaving back already," The prince said.

He shook his head, "I'm not leaving."

"Well then there is nothing wrong is there?" Seth asked.

Atem sighed and answered, "There is because I wasn't honest with you. My name isn't Akai, its Atem. My parents were from Egypt but I was born here. I'm not a noble either…"

Seth stayed silent as the image of the person before him had changed He couldn't believe he had actually been lied to. It made since as to why he would leave him so abruptly. He didn't really know what to think, did Dartz and Siegfried put him up to him? If so then he really couldn't blame him for that, those two would be dealt with if that was so. What else was a lie? Was the kiss a lie? Staring at Atem something came back into his memory that he hadn't thought about since it happened.

"You were that servant that hit me with the apples and knocked me off of the horse," Seth stated.

Atem nodded, "Yes I was. I really thought you were a thief and that horse was my mother's favourite horse. I'm sorry-"

"Was everything else a lie? Was the night before last when you kissed me a lie?" The prince demanded.

He shook his head, "No! I meant it. I should have been honest with you the moment I saw you again at the lake but…I don't know. I never meant this to go as far as it has. But my feelings were true! I promise they are true, my beliefs on equality are true and my love for reading is true too. Please believe me…"

"I need to process this. The fact that you had the audacity to lie to your prince is one thing, the rest is another. I'll contact you when I've finished thinking about this," Seth said as he got on his horse and rode off.

Atem looked down and sighed, he knew it was going to end that way the moment he had told. Apart of that was kind of why he didn't want to actually do that in the first place. He sat by the lake, taking in the fresh air, wishing that Seth would come back though that wish was in vain. He didn't know what he feeling but he was having some kind of trouble breathing. His chest ached and his stomach was in knots that he couldn't make go away no matter how many times he wiggled about. Was this what heartbreak felt like? Was it this sadness that creeps over and makes you think that no one will make you feel as happy as Seth had? Because if so then Atem would have giving anything to not feel anything, he wished to feel numb and not have to deal with this.

He had been so distracted he hadn't realised he wasn't alone until a towel was pressed to his nose. Instantly he passed out and his limp body was lifted and placed on a horse. Akefia smiled at how easy that was, he wasn't going to be telling Dartz he had done what the other wanted. He was sure someone was going to notice soon. He rode off very excitedly; feeling the anticipation of what was going to happen once he reached home or better yet, when Atem finally came too. He couldn't wait to see those crimson orbs staring at him in disbelief and the fight he was bound to receive.

Mana didn't start to worry until it got later and Atem was nowhere to be found. He was pushing it at how late he was a second time. She had a feeling that Dartz would catch on unless he was more careful. Once it got close to supper time, Mana went to go looking for Atem, remembering that he was going to be near the lake. She prayed that he was alright and had just lost track of time. When she got there, all she found was the top that Atem had worn when he left. Dread ran through the blonde as she called out for her friend but when there was no response after a long time of yelling. She ran home, she needed to tell someone, anyone.

Dartz was having his dinner with his boys when he heard Mana sobbing and others trying to comfort her and ask her what the matter was. He smiled to himself and had a sip of wine, knowing full well what had actually happened. When Mahado came in to tell him the news that Atem was missing, he played the part well, looking so concerned and distraught. His boys were rather genuine with their shock and he played off of that well. He pretended to think of something to say.

"Well then tomorrow, you and whoever want to help, go out and search for Atem, stop at nothing until you bring my stepson home to me. I'll do my prayers tonight, in fact, we will all pray tonight for the safety of Atem and for him to come home soon," Dartz said, knowing full well that they weren't going to find Atem at all.

Yes because we all know how concerned Dartz is. Like I said, there is a lot of things that happen and there are a ton of cliff hangers! Also what's going to happen when Atem wakes up? WILL SETH FIND OUT ATEM'S BEEN TAKEN BY AKEFIA? Or what about Yami? Yes all will be found out but heaven knows how long it will take.

So what do you think? LET ME KNOW!

I hope you all have a great weekend and please send me some love in the form of a review! It's like candy for us fic writers, it gives up energy and helps us want to stay writing. See you all in the next chapter!

With Love

SanguisRubeus