Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Thoughts

"Speech"

Chapter 12

Yugi woke up to the sun shining in his face and the gentle breathing of someone beside him. He opened his amethyst eyes and peered at the face he was currently next to. Atem. Yugi smiled as the moments of last night ran through his mind. He knew Atem loved him as a friend, and possibly liked him, but he didn't think he loved him. Hoped, but not expected. It was welcome, after Aknadin told them Yugi was now Atem's slave. Never would Yugi have to listen to those masters again. Yugi smiled as he looked at Atem's face. The morning sun shone on Atem's skin and put a healthy glow on his tanned skin. His tri-coloured hair was sprawled on his pillow and a few strands lazily lay across Atem's nose and tickled it every time he breathed, causing him to crinkle his nose. Yugi laughed quietly, and immediately stopped, lest he woke Atem up.

Atem stirred at the sound but didn't wake. Instead, he pulled Yugi closer and pressed his face into his chest. Yugi laughed again and looked outside. He gasped as his brain finally told him what time it was.

"Atem… You have to let me go. I have to work," Yugi pleaded quietly. Atem showed no sign of hearing him. "Atem!"

Atem mumbled something incoherent and then said "No…" before mumbling nonsense again and falling back asleep. Yugi rolled his eyes. Atem, at times, could be a little irritating.

"Atem, wake up," Yugi tried again. Silence was the main response of the prince. "Atem. Wake up and let me go before I get in trouble." More silence, followed by a snore. Yugi stifled a laugh. "Atem…Let me go before I hurt you. Please," Yugi added.

"Lemme sleep," Atem mumbled before his snores ensued once again. Yugi rolled his eyes and tried pushing Atem. The prince didn't react at all and Yugi glanced outside again. The other servants would be awake soon and be bustling about everywhere, especially in here. Yugi bit his lip. He shook Atem harder, blew in his ear, hit his head, and tried to shove himself out of his arms, but to no avail. He sighed.

"I didn't want to do this but you leave me no choice," Yugi groaned. He promised he wouldn't do this unless it was an absolute emergency. Well, one could say this is an emergency, a life-or-death situation. So Yugi took in a deep breath and did the one thing he thought he wouldn't have to do so soon.

"ISIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS! ATEM'S TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INJURED, HELPLESS MEEEE!"

Almost immediately, Isis ran in with Mahad right behind her, eyes wide and worried. She calmed down once she saw Yugi, apologetic smile on his face, in bed with Atem nearly crushing him in his arms. She shook her head and looked at Mahad's slightly amused expression. She walked up to him and pried Atem's arms off the pale boy.

"What did I tell you about using that line," Isis asked as she stared down into big amethyst orbs. Yugi looked down at Atem, who, by some miracle, was not woken by the noise.

"Not to use it unless it was an emergency," Yugi mumbled. Isis smiled at him gently when he met her gaze.

"So, Atem nearly crushing you in a hug while sleeping beside you was a situation you wished to get out of and was deemed an 'emergency', was it?" Behind them, Isis could hear Mahad cough to cover up his laugh.

Yugi looked at her with his big adorable eyes. "But I have to work, and if I don't, I could be sold because of it, and not even Atem could do something about it. Master Bomani has some books in the library about the slave trade and all the rules tied to it. I have to work if I want to stay, but I can't do that if Atem refuses to let. Go. Of. Me." Isis looked at Mahad worriedly as Yugi took a breath. It seemed as though he was going to continue.

"Yugi, it's fine. Don't you dare go on on all that talk," she said as he opened his mouth. He shut immediately. Isis continued. "You aren't going anywhere because Atem wouldn't let it happen, you know that. None of us would, so- Yugi. Breathe," Isis commanded when she realized Yugi was holding his breath to prevent himself from hyperventilating. Yugi let out his breath and glanced at Atem, who was still not awake. Yugi rolled his eyes.

"ATEM, WAKE UP," Yugi practically screamed in his ear. Atem jumped up and looked around the room frantically. Then he stopped and glared at Yugi who gave him a cute little smile. He rubbed his ear.

"Trying to blow out my eardrum," he asked. Yugi smiled sheepishly and exchanged a glance with Isis. That one told him she was thinking the same thing. Why didn't that work earlier? Atem laughed and pulled him closer. He kissed the smaller boy's lips and made his way down to his neck. There he kissed and licked and bit until Yugi gasped. Atem looked up into Yugi's amethyst eyes. Then he finally noticed they were not alone.

Isis giggled. "Good morning prince," she greeted.

"Isis, Mahad, Mana, good morning," Atem replied, a nervous smile on his lips.

Yugi looked at him. "Mana," he asked before turning around. Sure enough, there she was, staring at the "twins" after walking in when Atem was kissing Yugi.

"Why are you two still in bed? Do you have any idea what time it is? Atem, we were supposed to meet your father over an hour ago," Mana nearly shrieked. Atem paled.

"Damn. Oh Ra, I'm screwed. Father had something really important to tell us today. Ra, I hope he doesn't kill me," Atem spoke as he jumped out of bed and raced out the door with Mana right behind him. Yugi looked at Isis and Mahad.

"Umm," he began. "Thanks. I can get to work now. You can go and do whatever. Uhh," he paused at the raised eyebrows on their faces. "What?"

Isis looked at Mahad who smirked. "Yugi…Never mind. We'll finish talking later about this, okay? And you have to make this up to us somehow so…We'll discuss that too. Bye," she called and disappeared. Yugi looked at Mahad who looked at him. Mahad smiled and followed his girlfriend.

Yugi sighed and got up. This was going to be a long day.

"ATEM! Where have you been? I've been waiting for ages." To say King Aknamkanon was irritated would be a minor understatement.

"I'm sorry Father, I was detained," Atem apologized. As soon as his words were out of his mouth, Atem knew his father would question it.

"Detained? Detained how?" And there they were. The foreseen, dreaded words. Oh Atem, how are you to explain this?

"His slave, Yugi, was being checked over by Isis in case his wounds hadn't healed yet. Atem was concerned and stayed until she finished." Atem looked at the small sorcerer. Thank you Mana.

"Really," the Pharaoh asked. "Hmm. No matter, let's be off." He rose out of his chair and walked out of the throne room. Mana and Atem watched, confused. Aknamkanon stuck his head back in and asked, "Are you coming?" The children smiled and raced after him.

Yugi sighed as he stood up from washing the floor. It was done. Everything was done. And it was only midday. He smiled as he looked out the window. A cough interrupted his break. He turned around to see Dalila, holding Atem's clothes.

"Work doesn't require you to stop and think, unless you don't remember if you did something," she said with a smile as she walked forward. Yugi smiled back and took the clothes with a quiet thank you and put them away.

"Thank you Dalila, but actually I finished my chores."

Dalila looked at Yugi in confusion. "Really?" Yugi looked back at her and nodded.

"Yep, so…I'm gonna go find Master Shimon and see if I can resume my studies. Atem told me to do that someday." Yugi looked back outside. I wonder where they are.

In fact, Atem and Mana were sitting atop their steeds, watching the view with Aknamkanon. It was beautiful. Atem doesn't remember ever being on this hill. The whole view was filled with the glorious golden sand, the pyramids towering on the horizon. The giant pillars filled with the stone tablets of spirit monsters stood erect in the west, the small village splayed around them. The midday sun cast a holy glow on everything and made the visit that much more awe-inspiring. Atem looked at his father and asked, "Why exactly are we here, Father?"

Aknamkanon gazed at the view a while longer before answering. "Well, my son, take a good long look. There will never be a better opportunity to see this wondrous land in the spectacular beauty it is in now." The Pharaoh turned around in his saddle and looked at his son and his friend. "One day this will all be yours. Yours to rule alongside your Queen," he looked at Mana, "and when that day comes, you will appreciate this opportunity." He drew his gaze back to the horizon. "It took me years to find the day to bring you here. Remember it well, for your children."

Atem and Mana glanced at each other with equably questioning expressions. Atem looked back at his father. Was there was a reason behind this odd visit? What does Father speak such words? Hmm…I'm sure I'll find out someday soon.

Yugi whistled as he wandered down the corridors. Hopefully Master Shimon was available. As he passed a hallway, he heard some quiet giggling and peeked around the corner.

"Don't you think you should be doing that in a room?" Seto and Kisara broke apart at the sound of the familiar voice. Kisara's pale face tinged pink as she hid it in Seto's chest while he turned his blue gaze to the small boy smiling at them. Yugi shrugged while still smiling. "It's just a thought, but something tells me your father might not appreciate seeing you using the palace walls for that purpose."

Seto let out a choke-cough when those words came out of Yugi's mouth. He looked at Kisara whose face was a deep shade of red. "What are you doing here Yugi," Seto asked. Doesn't he have something to do? I mean, he is cousin's slave after all.

Yugi smiled. "I'm just on my way to see Master Shimon about resuming my classes when I heard Kisara giggle. I thought I'd take a look, like I usually do even though I shouldn't, and decided to remind you activities like that are best left in the bedroom or someplace better concealed. See ya!" Yugi skipped away smiling, humming the soft tune his mother taught him.

Seto looked at Kisara and she nodded while crossing her heart. "We'll never tell him he was wrong," she said. "No one will ever know 'twas you who giggled." Seto growled and Kisara let out a minor shriek as he tackled her to the ground. "Oh, Seto," she giggled.