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

Thoughts

"Speech"

Chapter 24

Three weeks had gone by since Yugi was bought and sold. Once he reached his new abode, the man who bought had eased his mind. Sure, Yugi worked, but he was part of this family now and he was glad no one else bought him.

The man was Rashidi. He had a wife, Safiya, an eight-year-old son, Zaid, and a four-year-old daughter, Tabia. They grew friendlier as the days wore on, and Yugi grew to be more trusting of them. But as each day fell to night, Yugi's worries about his friends in the capital deepened. He knew Runihura was up to something, but he didn't know what.

Runihura didn't keep him waiting long.

It was after two weeks that Runihura put her plan into motion. She walked up to her husband and snaked her arms around his neck. Then she planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Hello my love. Did you need something," Atem asked as his wife took a seat beside him.

"Actually, I was wondering if it would be at all possible to make a few changes around here," she confessed. Atem raised an eyebrow.

"Changes like what exactly," he asked. Runihura smiled.

"Well, I thinking that we could ascertain our power over the people, especially the servants. Just this morning I heard a few of them talking about me, and they didn't even have the decency to quiet down as I went by. If anything they talked louder. I know you don't mind being yelled at by your servants, but I will not stand for it." Atem sighed and Runihura smirked when he looked away.

"Alright. Tomorrow I will let everyone know there will be punishment…"

"…if a single person speaks out against the royal family. Depending on the severity of the treason, one could spend either a minimum of three months in prison, banishment, or even death." Mana grabbed Mahad's hand as the last words reached her ears.

"What is going on with him," Seto growled as the group watched their friend from the back of the room.

"Her," Mahad said, gesturing to the woman in the shadows. Everyone else looked. Runihura stood there watching her husband with a smile on her face.

"She's starting to influence him," Isis frowned. "What does she intend of him?"

It was the third week that this news reached the small town Yugi currently lived near. When he heard it, he dropped the bowl he was carrying and it crashed to the floor. The delivery boy and Rashidi looked at the boy as he rushed to carefully pick up the shards. The thought that kept racing through his mind was 'What is she up to?'

"Are you alright Yugi? You've barely touched your dinner," Safiya asked, worried. Yugi stared at his food for a while before the question sunk in. He looked at her and shook his head.

"It has something to do with the new law, doesn't it?" Yugi looked at Rashidi and sighed.

"Yes," he answered.

"What new law," Zaid asked, pausing his poking of his little sister who fell asleep in her chair.

Safiya looked at her son. "Zaid, stop poking your sister and take her to bed." The boy nodded and picked up little Tabia, and disappeared into the depths of the house. Once he was gone, Safiya turned back to Yugi. "What is troubling you?" Yugi looked at her then left the table and stood by the window. The spouses exchanged glances, but patiently waited.

"I'm just concerned. In all the years I knew Atem, he never once cared about what the servants said. And they said some pretty bad things in our childhood," he laughed. Yugi sobered and stared at the stars. "I just hope he knows what he is doing and stays safe and well. I'll never forgive him something happens to him."

Mana sat down at her table, waiting for the servants to bring her breakfast. A moment later, she heard footsteps and sighed. "Just bring the food here and leave. I wish to be alone."

"Really, that's such a shame. And here I came all this way to visit you." Mana flinched at the voice behind her. She plastered a respectable smile on her face and stood up. She faced the woman behind her and bowed.

"My Queen," she greeted, silently wishing she would wake up. Runihura smiled.

"Sorry about the wait. I had them bring up my meal here as well." Mana inwardly grimaced.

"What is it you wished to speak with me about," Mana asked the elder woman. Runihura's smile grew bigger.

"Just wanted to see how you were doing," she replied. "I heard your friend, Yugi, was sold on the market. It is terrible. I did wish to speak with him about his relationship with Atem. I so wished to know what my husband was like in his childhood." Runihura kept her eye on Mana the whole time she was talking. By the pained expression on her face, the girl was going to crack soon.

"I'm fine, and I would be better if I was alone," Mana ground out. Runihura laughed.

"Oh, but when is in pain, they should not be alone." Mana looked up at her.

"Then it would be best to be among friends, rather than people who had helped cause the pain," she countered.

"Careful," Runihura warned, "We wouldn't want my dear husband to hear one of the nobles throw accusations around, especially after an order like that." Mana glared. The servants walked in with the food. Runihura gestured to the table. "Shall we eat," she asked, a double-meaning smile on her face. Mana took a deep and nodded.

Never again would she stay in the same room alone with this woman. Ever.

When the next new order reached his ears, Yugi started thinking. He worked on autopilot, zipping through his chores, but still spaced out. This went on for weeks, and in that time two more laws were made. It was the night after that Rashidi and Safiya decided they needed to talk to Yugi.

"Yugi? What is going on in that head of yours?" Yugi looked from his dinner and at his mistress.

"Just wondering what to do about it all," he sighed. Safiya looked at her husband.

"About what's been happening in the capital," Rashidi asked. Yugi turned his gaze to him and nodded.

"I don't understand why At… Pharaoh would do something like this. But, if she's behind this, then he's being played like a puppet," Yugi muttered.

"She who," Rashidi inquired. Yugi looked at him seriously, his violet eyes dark.

"The bitch who stole my fiancé," he growled. Safiya gasped at his language.

"That was treason right there," she scolded. Yugi shrugged.

"I'm probably not the only one saying it. If I'm right, and I probably am, Runihura is up to something. First she makes Atem take away the people's freedom to speak their minds. Next she has him class everyone more strictly. A tax has been placed. And finally possession and use of a duel monster is forbidden, punishable by death, whether the individual has control or not." Yugi stared down at his food. "I hope Seto and Kisara are careful."

"Why?" Yugi looked at Safiya.

"Kisara possesses the blue-eyed-white-dragon, and her control could be better," Yugi whispered. "If Seto is in trouble, she will not hesitate to give in… Runihura has divided the Pharaoh from his people."

Safiya and Rashidi stared at each other. They didn't know what to do for the young man in their home. For right now, all they could do was wait until he figured something out.

And after seven months being in this household, Yugi came up with a plan. Master Rashidi was venturing to the capital in twelve days for supplies, and of course, being the slave, Yugi was to go as well. That night, Yugi sent a letter to Mana, telling he would be in town then and to come see him. The others should come as well. A discussion was needed. Rashidi and Safiya agreed to this and twelve days later, the two were off.

"Halt. State your business in the city," the guard demanded as he peered at the travelers in front of him.

"Business. I have trading and shopping that needs to be done," Rashidi answered, just a little nervous about the increased security. The guard stared hard at him before Yugi piped up.

"Master Rashidi honestly is here for business," he said as he sat up and lowered his hood a bit. "I'm here to visit some old friends… Stop being so intimidating, Fadil. You won't win Jamila's heart by being harsh." The guard looked shocked for a moment before a huge smile adorned his face.

"Yugi," he greeted and lifted the younger male in a hug. "You're a little late with that statement. I captured her heart last week." A huge smile was plastered on Yugi's face now.

"That's incredible! Congratulations," he cried. Fadil nodded in thanks. A few minutes later, master and slave were inside the city.

Yugi had just put another load of good on the cart when he heard someone screaming his name. A second later, a body made contact with his and they crashed to the ground.

"Mana. Be more careful please." The only response was sobbing. Yugi rolled his eyes and held his friend. Shadows fell upon the two and Yugi looked up to see Mahad, Seto, Isis, and Kisara standing there. Everyone wore the sympathetic, caring, I-missed-you-so-much kind of smile. Mana finally released Yugi and he stood up, to be engulfed in a tangle of arms.

"So, you've heard what has been going on," Mahad asked his young friend. Yugi nodded and took a sip from his cup.

"I couldn't believe when I heard the first law, but as the others came out, it sounded more like someone wanted to control the people and kingdom, and trying to make it easier to do so," Yugi stated. Isis nodded.

"We believe that is what is occurring, but what motive does she have for wanting to control the kingdom?"

Yugi drank a little more from his glass before answering. "I have no idea, but it's the kingdom. All that power to do whatever you want. I'm not sure why, but she has a good start but controlling Atem."

Mana sighed. "He did seem a little down at breakfast this morning. Distracted and like all hope was lost. That was the expression on his face for a minute, and then he returned to the conversation. I thought I dreamt it."

Seto shook his head. "I saw it too. It was peculiar." He turned to Yugi. "It seems many people around here are still loyal to you. The Queen ordered to be notified if you are seen within the city." Yugi froze.

"Seriously?" Everyone nodded. Yugi snorted. "Why is she so threatened by me?"

"Oh no reason, other than the fact her husband used to be in a serious relationship with and he still trusts you with his life," Mana said loosely. Yugi stared at her. "Oh, and there's the fact you threatened her during dinner."

"There is that," Yugi agreed. Everyone sat in silence for a while, thinking.

"So now what," Mahad asked. No one said anything, but Yugi kept his gaze on Isis. He remembered the conversation he had with her on the wedding day.

"You would risk your life for him?"

"I would give my life for him. What is this about Isis? Did you see something?"

"I don't know exactly what happens to lead to it, but many troubling things occur and I fear most for the Pharaoh."

Isis met Yugi's gaze and lowered it. As she did so, his eyes narrowed. He stood up and Isis followed him outside. The marketplace was buzzing with people coming and going, and if it wasn't for the tense, quiet atmosphere, one would think the city was the same as it was when Aknamkanon ruled. The two walked a few meters to an empty alley and faced each other.

"What did you see," Yugi asked, getting to the point. Isis shook her head.

"It's still as vague as the last one, but a few people were clear. I believe more than ever Runihura is up to something."

"You don't know what she was doing?" Again, Isis shook her head.

"Things are going to change, and the time is approaching close." Yugi nodded and turned to go, but Isis grabbed his wrist tightly. Yugi whirled and gazed worriedly at Isis, his amethyst eyes wavering.

"I no longer fear for just the Pharaoh. Your life is in danger as well."