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

Thoughts

"Speech"

Chapter 15

The next morning Aknamkanon walked into the courtyard where Isis and Atem were watching Mahad teach, or rather trying to teach, Mana a lesson. "No Mana, you're saying the words wrong again. How do you expect to become a magician if you can't speak the words properly? I told you one hundred times the- Oh. Good morning Pharaoh," Mahad greeted the king when he stepped out of the shade.

"Morning Mahad, Isis, Mana, Atem. How goes things today?"

"Things could be better," Mahad replied. Mana stuck out her tongue and Mahad responded by rolling his eyes. Isis smiled embarrassedly and Atem giggled.

Aknamkanon smiled. He turned his son. "Atem, where is Yugi today?"

"Right behind you milord," a small voice replied. Everyone looked at the source and Yugi stood there, a small basket filled with refreshing snacks. "Is something wrong," he asked, watching everyone's faces as they stared at him. "You can stop staring, and is something wrong? Why would you want to see me? I'm just your son's servant."

Aknamkanon watched as Atem and Mana exchanged glances and rolled their eyes. Isis and Mahad looked at each other briefly but did nothing. "Nothing is wrong, I was just wondering if you would accompany me on a ride." The atmosphere went still. Everyone stared aghast at the Pharaoh.

"W-what did you just say," Yugi and Atem asked at the same time. Aknamkanon raised an eyebrow that clearly said he wasn't repeating himself. Yugi looked at Atem and Atem shrugged.

"If it's what you want, majesty," Yugi replied. Aknamkanon smiled. The two walked away, leaving the rest to wonder what just happened.

"Yugi doesn't listen to anything I say," Atem mumbled. It was an hour after Yugi and his father left, and Isis left to attend to patients, and Mahad was getting snack before tackling Mana's next lesson.

"You don't listen to him either," Mana replied. Atem looked at her shocked. He said it to get his worries out there, but he hadn't expected anyone to hear him.

"What do you mean," Atem asked. "I listen to him. I told him yesterday we can be for now but when the time comes we will part, but I'll love him forever."

Mana glared. "That's not what you were talking about and you know it," she growled. When Atem didn't reply she continued. "You meant you didn't think Yugi heard your underlying message, didn't listen to your voice, or watch your eyes, but he did. Have you seen him lately? Of course he heard you, paid attention to you. He worried about the future of the kingdom and you. He thought about you. Now you've given him more problems and he's doing exactly what he did before his mother died." She closed her eyes and laid down in the sunlight. "Geez, if he didn't love you so much, I'd go after him since I know there's no way you'd marry me."

"Why wouldn't I?"

Mana opened her eyes and stared at her companion. "What?"

Atem cocked his head to the side, looking at Mana intently. "Why wouldn't I marry you? You're a great person, the people know and love you, and that way we'd always be together."

Mana rolled her eyes. "Yes, that may be but I wasn't meaning that. I meant you wouldn't marry me, or anyone else for that matter, because you're in love with Yugi. He loves you too, but you doubt that because he's doing these things for you and you see them as ways to keep you two apart but he's doing it for future happiness and safety of you and the kingdom." Mana looked back at the sky, a sad expression on her face. "He always was self-sacrificing," she whispered.

Atem looked at his childhood friend, hearing truth behind her words. Well, he thought, that's going to have to change.

Yugi kept sliding glances at the Pharaoh as their horses trotted along the sand. Aknamkanon knew he was doing it, but did nothing. What he was doing was bound to get some unusual feedback. He just hoped it helped Yugi.

A few minutes later, the Pharaoh stopped and Yugi followed suit. "What are we doing here," Yugi asked before looking around. Aknamkanon smiled and got off his horse. Yugi frowned but did the same. There was nothing to see here, just sand, as usual, the river in the distance, and… "I've never noticed an oasis this close to the palace before."

Aknamkanon looked at him, still smiling. "Of course you didn't see it. You can't possibly see it from home, it's too far." The Pharaoh sighed peacefully and walked into the foliage. Yugi followed and gasped. It was beautiful. The trees towered over them and rose to a slight curve, shading all but leaving enough light for the plants below. A small stream flowed through it; grass covered the ground around it. "I found it when I was a boy. I used it as a refuge from the stressful times before my father died and I became king. All the lessons, paperwork, people to see, things to do, everything kept piling up and I needed a break. I frequently went for rides and came across this about a month before my father's death. No matter what happened or went wrong, coming here always calmed me down and I don't know why. Maybe the seclusion and distance from the city, or the shade and coolness of the trees, or the stream… I don't know, but it helped me, so, I was thinking…" The Pharaoh trailed off looking at Yugi expectantly.

Yugi stared back quizzically until the light of realization dawned onto his face. He looked around the oasis again and looked at the king. "You want me to use this place?" Aknamkanon nodded and smiled. Yugi was stunned. "Really? I don't know. This place seems…" He paused looking for the right word.

"Holy?" Yugi looked at Atem's father.

"Yeah." Aknamkanon closed his eyes and smiled softly.

"I got that feeling too, those many years ago. But Yugi, you can use it on one condition." Yugi nodded. "Good. Don't ever bring anyone here, especially the person who is stressing you out at the moment. Not Mahad, Isis, Seto, Kisara, Mana, and not Atem. Understand?" Yugi nodded, looking slightly worried and scared. Aknamkanon sighed and lied down.

Yugi sat down beside him looking up at the sky. "Why did you do this for me," he whispered.

The Pharaoh opened his eyes and glanced at him. "Because you deal with more than you should have to. Your mother worried about you. You're only one person; you can't fix everything or help everyone. Now, relax, don't worry about anything." Yugi glanced at him and nodded, and closed his eyes. The first face he saw behind his lids was Atem.

"Atem, come on! Will you put that book down and eat? Ra, you're difficult," Mana finished when she turned the corner of the library. "Atem!" The prince jumped in his seat. Mana raised an eyebrow. "Did you not hear a word I've been saying?" Atem shook his head. Mana rolled her eyes. "I've been talking to you for the past ten minutes. Put the book down and come eat. What are you reading anyway," she asked, walking over to him and peering over the top, looking at the pages upside-down. "Creation of the palace? That's kind of old isn't it? What got you reading that?"

Atem looked up at his friend. "Master Aknadin. Master Shimon wasn't teaching today so uncle told me to take a look at out history. Since I've never heard of how the palace was created I decided to read up on it. Now what were you saying?" Mana looked at him, shocked for a moment.

"Oh, I was asking if you were going to come eat. Everyone is eating in the dining hall, seeing as how the delegates are here, and they want news or gossip." She started walking away, and called over her shoulder, "Are you coming?" Atem smiled and put the book away.

"Coming," he called and ran after her.

"Where's Yugi and father," Atem asked as soon as they entered the room. True neither was there, but that didn't stop anyone from enjoying themselves. Mana looked around.

"Huh. Maybe they haven't come back yet. No matter, I'm sure they're fine. Don't worry about and eat. They'll be back soon." With that, Mana sat down and helped herself to food. Atem sighed and sat down beside her and began eating. He looked out the window to the slowly darkening sky. Yugi, Father, come home soon, please.

Mana glanced at him, and saw his slightly worried expression on his face while stared out the window. She grabbed his hand and squeezed, causing him to face her. She smiled softly and he returned the smile, and tried to put the worry from his mind.

Yugi opened his eyes and gasped. It was nearly dark. He looked over at Aknamkanon. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Wake up! We have to get back!" The old ruler opened his eyes slowly.

"Yugi calm down. Don't panic, and breathe slowly or else you'll start hyperventilating." Aknamkanon smiled as the boy complied. In a few moments Yugi was composed inside and out, and the pair stood up and left. A couple minutes later the Pharaoh spoke. "Don't forget what I said Yugi, okay? It's important that you don't." Yugi nodded.

They rode in silence for a bit. Then Yugi broke it. "Were you good friends with my mother?" Aknamkanon looked back at him.

"Yes, I would say I was," he replied. "Why?" Yugi looked at the ground.

"Was she happy before she died, I mean truly happy?" Aknamkanon smiled.

"Yes Yugi, she was. She worried about you but knew you could take care of yourself. Nevertheless, she asked me to help if I could. She was loved you very much and was proud of you. She wouldn't have asked for a better son. I don't think she could've asked for a better son. Though," the king's voice dropped to a whisper and he leaned in closer, "Between you and me, I can." Yugi giggled. "Better?" Yugi nodded.

"Thank you sire," Yugi whispered.

Aknamkanon smiled broadly. "Good, and remember, what I just said was between you and me. Atem would throw a tantrum if he found out, so this stays between us right?" Yugi smiled and nodded. "Excellent. Now, I think we should hurry if we don't want to miss dinner." They ended their conversation and sped their horses back to the city.

Atem left dining room early, not in the spirit everyone else was in. "Yugi, where are you," he whispered to the air.

"Right behind you," a voice whispered behind him, causing Atem to jump.

"Aaah!" He whirled around and came face to face with his lover. "Yugi!" He looked behind him. "Father! What took you two so long getting back from wherever it is you are getting back from," he asked his words getting more spaced out as he finished, his shock and worry draining out from his body. Yugi smiled.

"Oh, we just went for little ride," he replied as he grabbed Atem's hand. "Did you already eat?" Atem nodded while glancing worriedly at his father. But he didn't seem to either notice or care about the entwined fingers of the young boys in front of him.

"I left early though. I worried about you two too much to have an appetite." Yugi looked at him shocked.

"Really? Sorry, we lost track of time. Besides, we're here now so come eat something else. Did we miss dinner?" Atem looked at his "twin".

"No, like I said I left early, and I just got out. And what has you so happy?" Yugi shrugged.

"Nothing really. Just had a good talk with your father. It was quite helpful."

Atem glared slightly. "To whom," he asked. Yugi pointed at himself and Atem could swear he heard father cover up a chuckle.

"Me. Don't worry, it's the truth. Your future bride didn't even come up if that's what you're thinking." Atem looked away and missed the smile and eye roll shared by his father and his lover.

"I wasn't thinking about that at all- Ow!" Atem glared and held his head. Yugi stuck out his tongue.

"Liar," he countered and ran into the dining room. Atem could hear the greeting people gave him. Now he was alone with his father.

"You're not telling me anything either, are you," he asked. The Pharaoh smiled and shook his head.

"You'll find out someday. I told him not to tell you but I'm sure he will anyway." The Pharaoh gave his son another smiled and disappeared into the room. Atem sighed. Maybe his father was right. Yugi usually told him if he asked, so maybe he will tell him. Atem sure hoped so. Collecting himself, Atem took a deep breath and returned to the feast, realizing his appetite came back when the missing two did.

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