I added a bit more to this chapter than was originally there. I hope you like it. I do not own Yugioh, enjoy! [JAPANESE]

Chapter 9

Yami was venturing past the fifth or sixth hallway when he heard them. Yugi was arguing with Malik and Mira about something. At first he couldn't hear the exact words but as he got closer, he heard the Japanese. Though, he couldn't tell what they were discussing, it sounded like a very heated debate.

"I just don't understand why you didn't tell them," Malik said a little angrily.

"We don't know them that well. What if they try to take advantage of it like he did?" Yugi said back with just as much anger.

"Would it really be so bad to trust them though? I mean they seem like a good family to me. Yami helped to protect us out there, as well as his friends. The Pharaoh went out of his way to make sure we were safe. What's holding you back, Yugi?" Mira put in.

"Grandpa might have only told the Pharaoh of one account, but we three know there was two. I will not put you through that again, until I'm sure they can be trusted, without a shred of doubt. I don't want to see you guys get hurt, again," Yugi said back fervently before his voice became sad.

"We won't be. The Pharaoh said he's in the Galley," Mira said gently.

"What makes you think he's going to stay there?" Yugi asked seriously.

"We know where your concern is coming from Yugi, but you can't protect us for every sun and moon movement of the day. It just isn't possible," Malik tried to explain as gently as he could.

"I can try," Yugi responded.

"You need to lighten up Yugi," Malik commented.

"Maybe we should find the Prince," Mira said.

"Yami, why?" Yugi asked.

Yami perked up, that was his name. Why were they talking about him? No, better yet, what about him were they talking about?

"Because I believe it's about time for another kissing session," Malik responded.

It was silent for a moment so Yami made his way around the corner. Placing a finger to his lips to tell the other two to be quiet he snuck up behind his fiancé. He went to wrap his arms around him when he whipped around to face him.

"So, how's your Japanese?" Yugi asked as he smacked Malik lightly on the arm. "You better hope he can't understand a word of what we were just talking about."

"I think you're handsome too," Yami said with a devilish grin.

"Not a word huh?" Yugi said looking up at him.

"You'd be even handsomer if you were speaking Khemet though," Yami asked looking down at him.

"Khemet? Is that a language or a person?" Yugi asked knowing full well he was probably winding his fiance up.

"Please speak Khemet?" Yami begged slightly.

"I don't think he knows a word of Japanese," Yugi said looking back at Mira and Malik who were trying, and failing, not to laugh. "This is going to be so much fun, because you are so under educated. Whereas I, I learned several languages growing up, so I could be the perfect Royal. Tell me, how many languages do you know?"

"Yugi, I know you know Khemet. You back handed me with my native tongue when we first met."

"Me? No, that doesn't sound like me."

"Yugi!" Prince Yami yelled grabbing him by his upper arms.

"Oh, my Princes, there you are. Breakfast is served up on the Helm," A servant suddenly spoke from beside Yami's elbow.

"Wonderful. Thank you." Yami said to the servant, releasing Yugi and smoothing out his clothes slightly. "Shall we?" he held his arm out to Yugi.

"Of course, my Prince," Yugi said in perfect Khemet taking Yami's arm, and giving him his winning smile. Yami looked like smoke might come out of his ears at any moment.

Yugi allowed Yami to lead him up to the Helm. Yugi checked behind his shoulder a couple of times, like he was making sure that Mira and Malik were still there. It seemed the two got fed up with this after the fourth look, because they took the leading position. There would probably be a few complaints about this up top, but Yugi seemed more relaxed, so Yami was just going to have to settle any unrest when they reached to top of the ship. And it gave him something else to think about besides his fiancé being an ass to him back in that hallway.

Yami had been correct, there was dirty looks from a few council members when Mira and Malik climbed the stairs before them. However, one look from Yugi, surprisingly enough, had them looking away again. Yami had a strong fiancé that apparently wasn't as fragile as he looked. It impressed him immensely.

As soon as Yugi sat down the questionnaire began. The questions popped up so fast, Yugi couldn't even think of one before another had taken its place. Finally, getting fed up, Yugi held up his hand for silence.

"Please, one at a time going around the table, and I'll try to get all of your questions answered," Yugi said with a bright smile on his face.

Yami didn't know him well enough to know if it was fake or not. So instead he turned around to Yugi's servants to ask. Though, strangely enough they were looking straight ahead like they couldn't even see him trying to get their attention. Giving up Yami turned back around in his seat to find everyone looking at him, and Yugi the only one who looked bemused.

"You done?" Yugi asked.

"Yes, I'm done," Yami replied stonily.

"Okay, yes your question," Yugi said pointing to the man sitting across from him.

"It's Priest Mahad, and I was wondering in what way do you treat your servants differently than we treat ours?" He asked.

"I'm unaware of how you treat your servants, so I do not know how to answer that question," Yugi said back wisely.

"Then let me rephrase it. How can you allow your servants to act so openly around you?" Mahad worded carefully.

"I'm afraid I don't know any other way of how they should act," Yugi said frowning.

"With respect! They heed to your every beck and call and remain silent within your presence at all times unless called upon!" a different voice spoke up from down the table.

Yugi looked down the table to see the man that had hit upon his brother at dinner. Seth, if Yugi recalled was his name. Taking a chance, Yugi addressed him as such.

"You shall wait your turn, Seth, I promise I will get to you in due time," Yugi said coolly while closing his eyes and smiling.

"Very well," Seth responded back as he sat back in his chair.

"May I ask another question?" Mahad asked.

"Yes, you may," Yugi said reopening his eyes.

"Did you and your servants grow up together?" Mahad asked very cautiously for some reason.

"We did," Yugi responded just as cautiously.

"The age difference between you?" Mahad asked again being cautious.

"It's two years older than I for Mira, and two years younger for Malik," Yugi said eyes narrowing.

"Thank you, I'm done asking questions," Mahad said.

"Will you allow me to ask one in return?" Yugi asked eyes still narrowed.

"Of course, what is it?" Mahad responded.

"Why is that information so important to you?" Yugi asked.

"Well, it basically explains everything. If you all grew up together, they would be considered more like family to you than servants. Though, they may still carry out their servant duties, they're given liberties that you won't find in any servant in Egypt. To put it wisely, those two servants behind you are your best friends. Anyone who dares to harm them will most likely feel the wrath of a Royal. For to punish them is your job, and yours alone, though I doubt that the times you have punished them are far and few between. I have a feeling they would have to do something very extreme to be punished by you. I dare you to tell me I am wrong on any account of this," Mahad answered in length.

"No you're spot on and very clever. Any other questions?" Yugi responded smiling before addressing the table as a whole.

There were none, not even from Seth. Though, Marik did raise his hand when he was sure everyone else had had their chance to ask a question. For some reason this had Yami waving his hand across his throat and shaking his head at him out of the corner of Yugi's eye. Curious Yugi pointed to him, in which Yami dropped his head in to his hand.

"May I court your servant Malik?" Marik asked bluntly making Yugi blink a couple of times.

"I'm sorry, what?" Yugi asked thinking he clearly misheard the question.

"May I court your servant Malik?" Marik asked again.

Yugi turned to look behind himself at Malik. Malik looked at him with slightly freaked out and scared eyes and shook his head slightly. Nodding subtly Yugi turned back in his seat to answer Marik's rather abrupt question.

"No," Yugi said back just as bluntly.

"If there are no more questions for the Prince, shall we eat?" Pharaoh Akunumkanon asked of the table.

There was a murmur of assent. Clapping his hands twice, the food was brought in to be set before them. Yugi couldn't help but notice how much fruit was set on the table. However the main meal of eggs, rice and porridge looked good. Still, reaching up Yugi grabbed two apples, and slipped them into his pockets. Who knew how long it would be until they allowed Malik and Mira to eat. Yugi didn't want them to spend more time down in the kitchens any longer than they had to, so he was going to sneak them a snack beforehand.

Yami saw Yugi slip the fruit into his pockets, and could only assume that they were for Mira and Malik. It was actually pretty smart, since Yugi didn't know that servants only ate once a day on the ship and three times a day once on land again. Still, they were given enough during the midday meal to get them through the day, or so it was rumored anyway. Yami wondered if everyone expected him to tell Yugi this, if so, lucky him.

"Hey, you might want to grab more fruit for them," Yami whispered in his ear as Yugi was taking a bite of his rice.

"Why?" He asked back after he had swallowed.

"Because they won't be eating until midday," Yami said back.

Yugi just nodded and grabbed four more apples slipping them into his pockets. He hadn't even questioned him, he had just listened. Yami frowned, shrugged and went back to his own meal.

When the meal was over, Yami was surprised that when Yugi stood up, his pockets didn't bulge with all the fruit in them. He must have had really large pockets to accommodate it all. Still, Yami was a little suspicious of how Yugi hadn't even questioned him and just listened. Grabbing his arm, Yami pulled him over to the Bow of the ship.

"Why didn't you question me about the food thing at the table?" Yami asked turning to him.

"I heard some servants complaining this morning about the unfairness of only be allowed one meal a day. That's why I didn't question you, because I had already heard about the one meal thing, I just didn't know the when," Yugi said looking away from him and out at the sea.

"Oh, well that explains it," Yami said.

"Do you live near the sea?" Yugi asked leaning against the railing.

"No, but we live near a river," Yami responded watching Yugi.

"That's too bad; I'm going to miss it," Yugi said airily like he was only half there in Yami's company.

"Where's your mind right now, Yugi?" Yami asked gently.

"Wandering the ocean," Yugi replied quietly.

Yami hummed as he moved behind Yugi and pulled him into his arms. Yugi didn't even fight him; he just leaned back into his embrace. Apparently Yugi was enjoying the moment as much as he was. Neither one of them noticed that half the council was watching them, until Marik and Bakura shooed them away at least.

"Yugi what does the word koi mean?" Yami asked.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually," Yugi replied.

"If you say so habibi," Yami responded.

"My beloved? Okay, you can get away with that nickname, I'll allow it," Yugi replied back smiling.

Yami turned him around and trapped him against the railing. Leaning down, he captured Yugi's lips with his own. Raising a hand to the back of his head, Yami tilted it for better access to those soft lips. Yami moved his lips gently against the other, pulling back occasionally to prolong the kiss, and all of its excitement. When the kiss was over, Yami rested his forehead against Yugi's.

"What was that for?" Yugi asked.

"For being so clever," Yami replied back.

Yugi rolled his eyes, before pecking Yami on the lips and ducking under his arm. Motioning to his servants to follow him, he made his way below deck. Yami watched them go, Mahad was right, they really were his best friends. Looking around, Yami noticed his own friends up on the Helm. Pushing away from the railing he went to join them.

You guys sure proved me wrong, not only did you review a lot, but you beat your previous record of reviews. Thank you to everyone who reviewed Guest and User alike. Also thanks to everyone who have/are favorited/following this story. Oh, also Innocence Caught in the Middle won the poll, so check it out. Sorry, I forgot to mention it on the last chapter. Please review! Midnight ;p