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

Thoughts

"Speech"

Chapter 22

Before anyone knew it, the two weeks went by and the wedding day had arrived. Yugi walked around the palace with Mana, watching the servants decorate for the celebration. Everytime they walked past a servant, the servant would bow to them and make a little mistake in whatever they were doing. Yugi was shocked they were doing it on purpose, but he guessed he and the rest of the group were not the only one's not over Atem's betrayal. All while she watched the servants wreck a little piece of the preparations, Mana held a small smile on her face. Yugi rolled his eyes as her smile grew a little bigger as they watched another slave place an old bowl of figs where the couple were to sit.

"This is not going to end well," Yugi muttered.

"Maybe not, but enjoy it until she screeches about it," Mana advised. Yugi looked at her and she smiled warmly, causing Yugi to smile as well. They continued walking.

"Uh, Mana?" The magician-in-training looked at her friend/personal slave. "Can I help them," he asked.

Mana stared at him, but thought about his character then nodded. Yugi rushed off and began to pick up some materials.

From above, Runihura watched as the hall was prepared and kept her eyes on a certain pale, tri-coloured hair Japanese boy.

The ceremony went by smoothly. Everyone held their tongues as Atem made one of the worst mistakes of his life. Later, after the banquet, Yugi left for a moment as gifts were given.

Atem's eyes followed him out.

Yugi walked down the halls, through the corridors until he reached the right room. He walked in and sought out his hiding place. He grabbed the box and opened it up. He took out a piece that belonged to Atem's father. Yugi wrapped it the cloth he brought and quickly hid the box as it was before and left.

"Congratulations, your Majesties," a delegate was saying as Yugi walked back. The man gave a bow and the dais, leaving his presents with the couples' hands. The next man was moving to go up, but Yugi beat him to it.

Everyone gasped as the pale little adolescent walked forward to the stairs. Yugi held the cloth in front of him as he walked up the stairs. Somewhere in the crowd, Mahad was squeezing Mana's shoulder as she whispered, "Yugi."

Once he reached the top, Yugi bowed, clutching the necklace to his chest as he did so, and straightened up, amethyst lined directly with crimson.

"I come forth with a gift, an heirloom that I believe you should have now, Pharaoh," Yugi said quietly. But everyone in the room heard it. The silence of the room was unbelievable. Yugi held out the clothed gift in one hand and unfolded it. When the fold came off, Atem stared at gasped, as well as Runihura.

"This is," Atem started. Yugi nodded.

"The jewel from your father, safely hidden with the other treasures she's been seeking," Yugi replied. Runihura looked from the necklace to her husband to Yugi to Atem to Yugi, and back to the necklace.

"Is it for me," she asked stupidly. Atem surprised everyone by shaking his head.

"No, it's for me," he whispered as he touched it. Yugi smiled and picked it up. He placed it around Atem's neck and fastened it. He laughed quietly at the soft blush on Atem's cheeks from the close contact. Seems Isis and Dalila were right.

"Your father would have been proud to see you wear it," Yugi spoke, touching the onyx and gold Scarab pendant. Atem smiled.

"He would have happy to give it me, but I think he would like this way too," Atem agreed. Yugi smiled and bowed to Atem. Runihura cleared her throat. Yugi shot up and glared at her.

"You expect me to give something to you now," he asked sarcastically. The new Queen sneered at him, and this time, Yugi wasn't the only to see it. Chatter started up at the sight and Runihura glared at them. She looked at Yugi.

"Yes, I expect a gift as well. You gave one to the king, now give one to the queen," she demanded. Yugi clenched his hands in anger and his face darkened.

"No."

"What?" Yugi looked at her with hatred.

"No I will not be giving you anything else. You already took my fiancé and the love of my life! Your making my life hell because I used be with him! I was almost sent to the slave market because I wouldn't hand over what was mine! And yet I leave you alone! What more do you WANT FROM ME?" Yugi breathed after yelling at her. He held her gaze for a second before walking off. The crowd parted to let him then immediately closed. Atem watched him leave in shock. He looked at his new bride. He could not believe it.

Mana walked up then and placed her gift down on the floor. Runihura looked at the clay dolls in confusion, but Atem stared at them in wonder. Mana stood up and stared at them. Then she, smiling sweetly, walked closer and slapped them both on the face.

"You stay the hell away from Yugi and the rest of us," Mana growled to Runihura. Then she turned to Atem and hugged him. "Stop being an idiot. He's been hurt enough." Mana then followed Yugi out the door.

Isis walked up handed Runihura some healing stones. "For future children," she smiled. Runihura raised a brow slightly, but did little else. Isis looked at Atem. "She's right you know," she whispered. "If this is the pain we see, imagine just how much more he's still hiding." Atem watched as Isis too walked out the door, after whispering a few words to Mahad, who nodded.

Atem sighed. This day better end soon, he thought.

Yugi sat on a balcony, watching the people below. He heard the footsteps approach behind him and he sighed. "Come to scold for yelling at them, or to tell me it was justified, Mana?" The footsteps paused for moment before finishing their path to his side. Mana took his hand.

"If it were up to me, I would say it was justified, but I know it doesn't truly matter. You still feel guilty about it no matter what," she said. Yugi nodded. Mana released his hand and stared out into the view. "It's understandable."

"They were right." Mana looked at her friend.

"What?"

Yugi looked at her and smiled. "Isis and Dalila. They were right. Atem still have some feelings for me." Yugi sighed. "I just wish he would do something about it before she does."

"Well, if she tries something, we'll be here to protect you," came the all-knowing voice of Isis. Yugi and Mana turned slightly to see her and returned the smile she gave them.

"Thanks Isis. Where's everyone else," Yugi asked. Isis walked up until she stood by the younger boy.

"Still there. They are the Holy Court after all," she replied with a smile. Then her face darkened. "Yugi, there is something I must ask you. It is of an important issue." Yugi nodded. "How do you feel about Atem?"

Yugi looked at the party below and sighed. "No matter what has happened, a lot worse would have to occur to take my love away from him."

"You would risk your life for him?" Yugi looked up at the healer/prophesier with a frown.

"I would give my life for him. What is this about Isis? Did you see something," he asked earnestly. Isis turned her gaze from the ground to the two individuals beside her momentarily before returning it. She nodded.

"I don't know exactly what happens to lead to it, but many troubling things occur and I fear most for the Pharaoh. I just had to know there was someone who would help him till the end. Thank you, Yugi. You have put my mind at ease, if for the time being." Isis then left the balcony to return to the celebrations. Yugi and Mana exchanged looks of confusion, but Mana opened her eyes wide and shook her head, shrugging. Yugi rolled his eyes and smiled. The two left the balcony and retired to the noble's chambers.

Hours later, Atem sat in his room, awaiting his Queen, thinking about the day's events. Not only had Yugi yelled at him, the one in the group who kept his temper in check the best, but Mana slapped him. Well, Runihura was part of the violence as well, but something told him they were angrier with him than her.

Atem sighed. What am I doing, he asked himself. And where in the name of Ra did Runihura go? Atem stood up and walked about the room. Runihura had left a few moments ago for something but hadn't come back yet. Where was she? Pharaoh walked out of the room and down the corridors until he met with someone. The servant didn't know where his bride was either.

"Runihura, where are you," Atem muttered as he stalked the corridors.

"Mana let go!" Atem froze as he heard a couple of voices.

"No. You are going to tell him exactly how you feel." Atem smiled. Mana was dragging Yugi around like she always did. But what were they talking about?

"Are you insane? After the way I treated him at his own wedding celebration? Are you trying to get me killed?"

"Of course not, but Yugi, expressing one's feelings is good for them." Yugi muttered something that Atem couldn't hear. But he did hear Mana's hand make contact with his head.

"Aahh! Mana, what in the name of Ra was that for?" Atem smiled as he pictured Mana rolling her eyes.

"You know why. Don't say things like that." Atem heard Yugi sigh and mutter 'fine'.

"But, Mana," the smaller boy whispered. The footsteps stopped and Atem strained to hear what he was saying. "I can't tell him."

"Why not?" Yugi took a breath.

"I still love him. You know that. I can't tell him how I feel about everything without telling him that I wish I was still with him, how much I want to hold him and kiss him. My anger is with Runihura, not him." Mana sighed in the stillness of the corridor and Atem found he was holding his breath.

Yugi still loves me? How did I not see it? I'm sorry Yugi. I still love you too, but I am married. I did choose her as my bride. When Atem left his thoughts, preparing to return to his room, he noticed the atmosphere was deathly silent and tense. He decided to sneak a peek around the corner and saw Mana and Yugi there, staring at Runihura.

"So what brings you two here," the Queen said. Atem saw his "twin" tense up.

"We were on our way to talk to the Pharaoh, but decided it could wait," Mana said, not letting the encounter bring her down. She had to protect Yugi after all. Runihura made a 'huh' sound at the reason and smiled. It was then Atem saw what his ex-lover usually got. Sorry Yugi. I will talk to her.

"Alright, but you should leave now before I call the guards. I didn't appreciate the way I was treated on my own wedding day," Runihura said with that sickening smile. Atem shuddered and decided to show himself before things got worse.

"Runihura, sweetheart, there you are. I wondered where you ran off too," he greeted as he walked out from behind the wall. All three individuals turned to him and stared wide-eyed at him as if they were caught stealing the crown.

"My love, what brings you out here," Runihura asked, obviously scared at the possibility her new husband might have heard their conversation.

"Did you not hear him," Yugi scoffed. "He was wondering where the woman he married today ran off to. So, where did you run off to on your wedding night, your highness?" Atem exchanged looks with Mana before the latter wrapped her arm around Yugi and tugged him a little.

"None of your business, slave," Runihura sneered. She flashed Atem a smile, and he almost forgot the little actions he noticed.

"Come on Yugi, we should go. The 'happy' couple need some alone time. It is their wedding night after all," Mana stated with a hint of disdain. Yugi nodded and the two walked away. As they were leaving, Yugi looked back and amethyst met crimson once again. For a moment, they felt like they did when they were younger. And just as quickly as it started, the moment fell away.

The group separated ways and the newlyweds went to their chambers, spending the night quietly.