Small Note

Sakura: So far so good on keeping up with my updates. Sorry about this chapter taking so long, but I wanted to finish my other story Truth or Dare first. Now this is the only story I am working on so hopefully I can get it finish before moving on to new stories.

Last time I left Yugi with having a bad first day at college so let's see if things start to look up for her.

Chapter 17: Everybody Hurts

Sennen Records was located at the heart of downtown Tokyo. It had fifteen levels of studios for recording music, photos shoots, and filming music videos, and at least two of those levels were full of workers at desk keeping up with what was hot and how sales were going. The very top level held the main meeting room along with the huge office that belonged to Aknamkanon and now partly belonged to Atemu.

The office had hard wood floors and tan colored walls. The left side of the office was covered with rows of book shelves and a door leading to a bathroom. The right side of the office held all kind of Egyptian painting on the walls, a couch, and a small desk which Atemu was forced to sit at. The back part of the office had glass windows looking out over the city instead of a wall and Aknamkanon's huge desk. Plush black chairs were placed near the book shelves and in front of Aknamkanon's desk for meetings with clients or employees.

Atemu was lean back in his wheelchair trying to balance a pen on his nose. He was bored out of his skull for the moment while his father talked on the phone. This is what Atemu did when he came to work with his father. His father would show him some stuff to do with the company, but Atemu had already seen it all. Since Aknamkanon was the CEO, he handled everything and it bugged Atemu sometimes that his father did not give him a chance to test what he knows. The only client Atemu ever got to work with was his own brother and that was a walk in the park.

A knock on the office doors startled Atemu out of his thoughts making the pen roll off and onto the floor. He looked at his father who was still in deep conversation with whomever on the phone and then back at the door. His father never liked to be disturbed while on the phone and if the secretary needed them she would have buzzed them on the intercom.

It was then Atemu's phone beeped with a text message. He looked down at his phone to see it was a text from his brother asking if they could enter the office. Sending a quick text back, Atemu rolled his way from behind his desk to greet his brother and fiancée.

Once the door opened, Atemu had not expected to be nearly knocked backwards by the weight of Yuugi. She pretty much crawled into his lap and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, before crying into his shoulder.

The three men in the room were widen eyed and confused at what just happened, that Aknamkanon wrapped up his phone call to see what was going on. "What happened?"

Amun picked up the bag Yuugi had dropped and set it on the couch. "I don't know she wouldn't talk to me on the way over here."

Atemu wrapped his arms around his girlfriend in comfort and gently rubbed her back. Something serious had to have happened to make her this upset. He had not seen her this upset in ten years. "Yuugi…?"

The young adult refused to talk as she continued to cling to Atemu.

"Yuugi, I can't help you if you don't tell me what happened…" Atemu told her with a kiss to her cheek. "Tell me what happened to make you this upset."

Yuugi said something, but it was muffled by Atemu's shirt.

Atemu chuckled. "Honey, I can't hear you when you hide your face like that."

"I said I hate it there." Yuugi confessed as she pulled back from Atemu and wiped at her eyes. The tears wouldn't stop coming no matter how hard she tried to stop them. The day had been so horrible and all she wanted to do was curl up in Atemu's arms and sleep the rest of the day away.

"Were the teachers mean to you?" Amun asked.

Yuugi shook her head. "No, it was the freaking students." She hissed out. "They were rude and mean to me. Some just plain ignored me and no one would sit next to me."

Atemu gently lifted up Yuugi's chin to look into her beautiful eyes. "Maybe they were just nervous because you are considered a celebrity."

Just as quickly as she had jumped onto Atemu's lap, she was off of it and making her way over to the couch. She opened her bag and yanked out piles of paper and a hand full of CDs. They all landed on the floor as Yuugi threw them at Atemu's feet.

"I also was hounded down by most of the stupid student body in hopes I would help make them famous." One CD that was left in Yuugi's hand met a worst fate as Yuugi broke it in half. "I'm not some freaking talent scout!"

Silence was all that met their ears after Yuugi's little tantrum. She stood there trying to catch her breath from all the crying. It broke Atemu's heart to see her so upset, so he nodded to his brother who got the message. Amun gently led Yuugi over to the couch and sat her down. Atemu maneuvered himself onto the couch and let Yuugi rest her head on his lap. She laid there in tears while Atemu ran his fingers through her hair trying to calm her down.

Amun picked up the mess Yuugi made and gave it to his father. Aknamkanon did not even take one look at the junk before throwing it in the trash.

"I didn't think it would be this tough on her." Amun said to his father. "I wish I never planned that stupid party."

Aknamkanon had to agree with his oldest son. "We were trying so hard to help keep rumors down for Atemu that we never stopped to think about Yuugi."

"Do you think this will get easier?"

"I honestly have no idea, but what Yuugi needs now more than anything is support from her family and friends."

Atemu heard that last statement from his father and a plan started to form in his head. He was not going to let Yuugi give up on college just because the first day did not go her way. However he was also not going to let her suffer college alone.

"WHAT!"

"SHHH!" Atemu hissed at his mother to keep her voice down. It was nearing supper time at the Sennen Mansion and Atemu had sat down to talk to his parents about something very important. His sister was keeping Yuugi busy, because he didn't want her hearing any of this. "You heard me right mother. I want to go to Domino and talk some sense into the friends Yuugi still has there."

"But you can't go there by yourself..." Amara tried to argue. "You haven't been out of the house in ten years and you want to travel to Domino!"

Atemu sighed. "Mother I won't be alone. Kek has some time off from practice. He has agreed to go the weekend with me. I will only be gone the weekend at most."

Aknamkanon placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Honey, Atemu is old enough to go out on his own. We have to trust him on this. You saw how broken up Yuugi is about college."

"I know, but I don't feel comfortable with Atemu being away for so long."

Atemu couldn't help but smile at his mother. "It will only be for a weekend at the most." He reached out a hand and grabbed her hand giving it a gentle squeeze. "Yuugi wants to give up on college after just the first day. I can't let her do this, because college is something she wants to do. If I can get at least one of her friends that is still nearby to come see her than maybe things won't be so hard."

Amara looked at her youngest son and knew nothing she said would stop him. "Promise to call every day."

"I'll call twice a day if that will make you feel better."

The mother of four sighed. "Alright, I don't like it but I know nothing will stop you from making sure Yuugi is happy." She smiled at up him. "I'm glad you two are together again."

"I am too mom…" Atemu confessed. "Yuugi has always been there for me and now it's my turn to be there for her."

When Friday rolled around the family made up a quick lie about Atemu having a business meeting he needed to go to in Domino to help out his father because his father couldn't go. Yuugi believe it and happily saw Atemu off at the train station. She had thankfully not given up yet with college, but every day she came home in tears and the only form of comfort she could find was curl up in Atemu's arms. Atemu helped her with homework her professors gave her and listened as she described how horrible her day was. The students still ignored her and fans bugged her about helping them get close to the Sennen family. If Atemu wasn't confine to a wheelchair he would be on that campus giving those students a piece of his mind.

It had been hard to say goodbye at the train station, but Atemu informed Yuugi he would be back before Monday. Kek promised his parents he would protect his baby brother, before they boarded the train to Domino. They were given their own private train car so the ride was fairly quiet.

They arrived in Domino just before supper time and when they exited the train station there were not many people on the street. There was one elderly man however holding a sign while leaning against a vehicle. The sign said 'Atemu and Kek' so Atemu knew he had to be someone Yuugi knew.

Kek rolled Atemu over to the man where he greeted him. "I'm Kek and this is my brother Atemu. Who might you be?"

Solomon smiled at the two and shook Kek's hand. "My name is Solomon Mutou. I am Yuugi's grandfather. She informed me that you two would be coming to Domino and asked if I could give you a lift to your hotel." He then reached out and shook hands with Atemu. "I wasn't going to miss the chance to see the gentleman my granddaughter loves and wishes to marry one day."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Mutou." Atemu replied. "I'm glad to meet the man who raised Yuugi for most of her life."

"Please call me Grandpa, most of Yuugi's friends do." Solomon corrected him before opening the passenger door for him. "Now why don't we stop off at my place for supper? I wouldn't mind the company."

Kek helped his brother into the passenger seat, before helping Solomon put the bags and wheelchair in the back. He then got in the back seat while Solomon got in the driver seat and drove the three of them to his game shop.

The game shop was nice and cozy when they got there, but sadly it was not made for wheelchairs. Atemu didn't mind that, but it was a little embarrassing having his brother carried him up the stairs and into the living room.

Solomon and Kek bought the bags and wheelchair in just in time as the sky had a mind of its own and opened up with rain. Atemu turned on the TV to check the weather and was surprised to find storms rolling in since he checked it that morning it was suppose to be so clear you could see the stars that night.

Kek put a hand on his brother's shoulder as Solomon went to make them tea. "You okay?"

Atemu nodded. "Yeah, I just can't seem to sleep when it storms."

Solomon bought in the tea and passed the two brothers their cups. "You are welcomed to stay the night if it doesn't let up." He offered. "Yuugi would murder me if she knew I let the two of you go out in that just to get to the hotel."

"We might take you up on that offer." Kek said before grinning at Atemu. "I'm sure Atemu would love to spend the night in Yuugi's old room."

Atemu blushed, but continued to drink his tea.

Solomon chuckled and headed into the kitchen to start supper.

"Why are you embarrassing me?" Atemu hissed at his brother and elbowed him in the ribs.

Kek winced and rubbed his side. "What I thought that was an older brother's job?"

Atemu rolled his eyes and pulled out his cell to call Yuugi. "Better let Yuugi know we made it. Plus I'm sure mom is going to have a fit if she doesn't hear from us."

"You would think we were little kids again with how much mom worries."

"I think it's more me she is worried about than you." Atemu informed him before greeting his lover as Yuugi answered the phone.

Supper was a quiet event as the three ate in silence not sure what to say. This was the first time in a long time that Atemu had seen Solomon. Atemu hadn't even remembered the man, but knew at some point when he was younger he had met him. That of course had been before the accident and Atemu did not know Solomon's feelings when Yuugi came to Domino. He hated to get on the man's bad side when things were finally going great again between himself and Yuugi.

"So how has Yuugi been doing?" Solomon said to stop the silence. "I haven't heard from her in a while since she went back to Tokyo for that big party."

Atemu froze at the reminder of the party. By those words he guessed Yuugi never told her grandfather she wasn't speaking to most of her friends anymore. It pained him to have to tell Solomon the real reason he was in Domino. "She could be better…" He finally confessed.

"Has she become ill?"

Atemu shook his head and continued to poke at his food. "The party did not go as planned with Yuugi's friends. Ryou and Malik were the only ones who stood by her after they learned the truth. The rest came home early to get ready for college. Yuugi has been torn up about it and college isn't making it any easier."

Solomon was shocked at the news. "What is wrong with college?"

"The students see her as an easy way to get to me and my father." Atemu said to put it lightly. "Some even ignore her rather than trying to get to know her."

The elderly man grew quiet at the news as he took in what Atemu was saying. He knew the young man cared for his daughter, but he hated to hear that others even her own friends were breaking her heart even more than it already was.

"What is the true reason you are here?" He spoke after he had collected his thoughts.

Atemu looked up at the man with a serious look on his face that showed he meant business. "I wish to speak with Yuugi's friends who are still in Domino. I want them to understand that Yuugi did not mean to hurt them and she does not deserve the right to suffer any more than she already has."

Solomon agreed with him on that. "I haven't heard from anyone since they returned home and then went off to college. However I think a few were staying in Domino to go to college."

"You know Atemu…" Kek spoke up and watched his brother turn his attention to him. "Maybe it would be better if we stay here and have Grandpa invite Yuugi's friends over. They may not take kindly to just meeting you, but if they were to come here thinking they were only visiting grandpa…"

Atemu could see where his older brother was coming from. "You do have a point…" He turned his attention to Solomon. "You wouldn't mind if we stay here for the weekend do you?"

Solomon smiled at him. "It's not a problem at all my boy. It would give me some time to get to know the young man my daughter fall in love with."

Kek stood up from the table with his cell phone in hand. "I better call the hotel and cancel our reservations."

Once he left the room and the plan was all set up for tomorrow the room felt more relaxed. Solomon stood up long enough to take his plate to the sink before returning to his chair. "You know I did hold slight resentment toward you for hurting Yuugi all those years ago." He confessed to Atemu. "I could never understand how two people pretty much glue to the hip could develop broken hearts and leave each other like that."

"I don't blame you." Atemu told Solomon. "I hurt Yuugi badly all those years ago and I'm surprised she still wanted me back. I could never get over how much I loved her and I hated being the one who also caused her so much pain."

"How are the two of you now?"

"We are taking things slow, but I feel as if things are much better between the two of us. We both realize the mistakes we made and we learned from them." Atemu looked at Solomon with a true smile on his face. "I love your granddaughter very much."

Solomon smiled back at him. "Of that I have no doubt. Yuugi may have come to me heartbroken but I could tell she was still in so much love with you. Somehow I knew things would change and the two of you would make things right." Then his face changed to a serious look and he gave Atemu a stern warning. "However if you ever break her heart again you'll have me to deal with."

Atemu took the warning to heart. "You have my word. I'll protect and love her so long as I live. She has always been there for me so it's my turn to return the favor."

Kek returned not long after and informed Atemu there reservations had been cancelled. After that the time seemed to fly by and it was time for all of them to retire to bed. Kek agreed to take the couch, while Atemu was allowed to stay in Yuugi's old room. The room did not hold much as Yuugi never did spend much time in the room. It had a few paintings on the wall and a bookshelf full of mangas. There was a twin size bed and a desk, along with an empty closet. Most of Yuugi's personal items were taken or shipped back to her in Tokyo so long as she stayed there with her fiancée and parents.

As Atemu lay awake under the covers staring at the ceiling he kept thinking back to how Yuugi's friends had treated her. It had pained him to see her so lost and upset. He also hated that she only had her parents, his family, and himself to help her though college. Ten years he hadn't been there for her and now it was like she only had him for the moment to keep her going. Ryou and Malik were overseas going through their own college experience and he didn't want to ask them to transfer. However Yuugi did have friends left in Domino, so it wouldn't take much for them to come see her in Tokyo.

Everybody hurts in some way or another in their life, but Atemu didn't want Yuugi to be hurt anymore.

Sakura: This chapter was rather boring and I'm sorry for that, but I wanted a small filler chapter to get Atemu into Domino. Next chapter he and Joey will come face to face again…

Yumi: Review!