I've noticed that I pay less attention to this story than I do my other two. Maybe it's because I'm focusing on the end of tdc, but I'm not going to put my stories on hold to finish it. One because I don't have the room, and two I just don't feel like it. However, to make up for ignoring this story a little, I'm going to try to update twice for this story in this upcoming week. Right, I do not own Yugioh, enjoy!

Chapter 12

Yami walked up to his two friends to see that each one had one of Yugi's servants captive. Malik and Mira looked as if they would rather be anywhere but under the arms of his two friends, especially Malik. Yami cocked and eyebrow at them, curious of their intentions.

"We found them wandering the deck, so we grabbed them to keep them out of harm's way," Bakura explained.

"Question though, why is Malik here wearing the Prince's shirt?" Marik asked grabbing a fistful of it. Yami opened his mouth to speak, but before he could respond Yugi was there yanking Malik and Mira away from Marik and Bakura.

"He has my shirt on because it would be indecent of me to let him parade around in a shirt that is torn in the back revealing his scars, from before he was in my care, to the world," Yugi replied shortly while checking Malik and Mira over for any new injuries.

"Yugi, they wouldn't have hurt them, after all Marik wouldn't want to hurt his chances with Malik," Yami said trying to calm down the teen.

"What chances? He can't court him until I give the okay, and that won't happen until Malik gives his consent," Yugi said making to walk off after determining that his servants were indeed okay. Yami grabbed his arm as he was passing, and pulled him into his side.

"I'm not re-entering my lands alone, you will join me," Yami whispered in his ear.

"Very well," Yugi responded lifting his head high to be even with the ground. Yugi motioned with a finger for his servants to come to him. When they were close enough, he whispered something in each of their ears. They both pulled away, yelling in shock.

"WHAT?!"

"Just bear with it until we are in the safety of the coach, or whatever it is they use to travel with here," Yugi said trying to reassure them that it was just temporary.

"Horses," Yami said in a hushed tone, trying to be helpful. Yugi looked at his servants in concern about this information. Neither knew how to ride a horse, and he would be ashamed if they had to walk all the way to the Palace.

"Mira, you'll ride with me and Malik…" Yugi said trailing off as if deciding who would be the best chance for his rider. Yugi side glanced at Marik but looked away just as quickly when he saw the man was looking at him. Malik sighed.

"I'll ride with him," Malik said like he was walking to his own grave.

"It won't be that long," Yugi said trying to reassure him by placing a hand on his shoulder.

"It'll be an entire day!" Malik retorted.

"At least it's not several," Yugi pointed out, trying to get him to look at the brighter side of things. Malik paled considerably at the words.

"My Princes and Lords, we are now going ashore, if your Servants will follow me," The Captain of the ship said trying to lead Yugi's servants in another direction.

"Captain Namu, I know you're just doing your job, but Prince Yugi's servants are supposed to stay within the company of their Prince at all times. Its Japanese law and we respect the laws of foreign countries," Yami said putting a stop to the Captains movements instantly.

"My apologies, Your Highness, I was not aware of this rule," Captain Namu said bowing before walking off.

"That's not a law of Japan," Yugi whispered to Yami as soon as he was gone.

"It is now," Yami whispered back before leading Yugi off the ship.

;p;p;p;p

Yugi grabbed Mira's hand and swung her up onto his chestnut stallion, he hadn't even been aware that they had brought his horse with them. Once Mira was situated comfortably in front of him, he turned to see if Malik was already up or if he needed help.

Malik was sitting right behind Marik on a blonde stallion, Bakura had a white stallion, and Yami had a rare reddish brown horse, well rare for these parts, in others he heard they were quite common. Looking at the rest of the horses surrounding them, he saw looks of disgust at Mira. Apparently the council didn't like the fact that Yugi was giving them a free ride. He had seen where the other servants were put, and he would be ashamed if he was going to let them ride to the Palace in a covered and closed wagon. It would smell horrible by the time they got to the Palace, because he highly doubted they would be let out when and if they stopped.

Pharaoh Akunumkanon came up to the front of where the horses were gathered, and he too looked with disapproval of where his servants were. He looked as if he was going to open his mouth to say something, but was cut off by Yami riding up to the front. They had a short conversation, before Yami walked his horse back to where Yugi was sitting. The Pharaoh still looked disapproving, but he motioned for them to start riding out none the less.

"You didn't lie to your Father did you?" Yugi asked as he rode beside Yami.

"You don't honestly take me for a fool, do you?" Yami asked back. Yugi looked away.

"I think that's a yes, Yami," Bakura said laughing and making Yugi jump.

He looked around them to see Marik flanking him and Bakura flanking Yami. It was starting to make Yugi wonder if they were more than just friends to Yami, if they were in fact his bodyguards. They always seemed to be within reach of the Prince, and if they weren't within reach they were hovering somewhere nearby. Kind of like his servants, but they had been called Lords, so this was kind of throwing him for a loop.

"No, Yugi, I didn't lie to him, I just told him that you were weary to let them out of your sight. He asked why, and I told him I'd discuss it with him when we were back at the Palace, and in private," Yami said like he was exasperated pulling Yugi out of his thoughts.

"Oh, well you lied so easily to the Captain, so how was I to know?" Yugi said defending himself.

"I suppose," Yami said.

Yugi looked at Marik beside him again, as he felt Mira lean against him. Turning his head away, he looked in front of him to see that Mira was falling asleep. Yugi smirked, even though Mira couldn't see it.

"If you're tired, just go to sleep. I won't let you fall, promise," Yugi whispered in here ear, and she leaned more comfortably against him. Yugi smiled.

"Sweet dreams, Mira," he said kissing her head. It was only after he had done this that he remembered that the council was behind him and they could have seen it. They didn't approve of how he treated his servants, he knew this, and he had probably just put all of them on the edge of their seats in anger. Before he could look around though to see if this was the case, Marik whispered words of reassurance to him.

"Don't worry about them. They're just a bunch of grumpy old stiffs that hate it when traditions are broken. Ignore them; it'll make your life much easier."

Yugi looked at him, to see him smiling and Malik fast asleep against his back. He really didn't know what it was that his servants found relaxing about horse rides, but they always seemed to fall asleep on the longer ones.

"Make sure he doesn't fall off," Yugi whispered nodding his head to Malik.

"Is he asleep?" Marik asked in disbelief twisting his head to look behind him. He only saw blonde spiky hair.

"Yes, so make sure he doesn't fall off," Yugi said chuckling a little.

"Don't worry, I think I'll notice if my back was suddenly much cooler than it was supposed to be," Marik said jerking a thumb behind him at Malik, making Yugi laugh.

Yami watched the two, thankful that they were getting along. Maybe if Marik got on Yugi's good side he could convince Malik to be courted by Marik. It was probably going to take more than one conversation and day to become successful, but at least it was start.

"What are you thinking?" Bakura asked.

"That if Marik can get on Yugi's good side, he can probably convince Malik to give Marik a chance," Yami replied.

"That's a big if," Bakura said. "I mean you're still working to get on his good side too, aren't you?" Yami laughed a little uneasily in response before turning to watch Marik and Yugi again.

;p;p;p;p

Ra was just beginning to set by the time they made it to the Palace. Yugi was exhausted. He had never ridden on a horse for such a longtime with no rest before; as such he needed help getting down from his horse. Yami was only too happy to help as he first helped Mira down, and then Yugi himself. Yugi jumped into his arms, sending them both sprawling to the ground.

"A little warning would be nice next time," Yami said after getting up and brushing himself off.

"I did give you a warning. I said 'ready?' and you said 'Yes!' that was your warning," Yugi explained.

"Some warning," Yami grumbled as he hooked an arm around his waist drawing him close. Yugi snapped his fingers and Malik and Mira were right behind him.

"I'm not staying in the same room as you again am I?" Yugi asked as looking at the grand columns they were passing with awe. Sure they had columns at home but they were made with wood, these seemed to be made of some kind of stone. Yugi took in a deep breath, someone was burning incense nearby.

"No you shall have your own room, but it will be on my floor," Yami said leading him further inside. Yugi looked at the many paintings on the wall, in amazement. There were so many of them, it was almost as if they told a story even. While Yugi was looking at all the hieroglyphics, Yami was watching him, wondering what he thought of his new home. Both were drawn out of their wonderings when a loud voice seemed to shake the stone hall they were in.

"SETH!" a blonde screamed shoving past Yugi to get to the priest. Yugi just blinked in surprise, before cracking a grin.

"Suddenly your compliment towards my brother makes more sense," Yugi said grinning at the priest as he fought to keep the blonde from jumping on him. Seth merely rolled his eyes, choosing not to comment. When the blonde had shoved past Yugi, he had gotten a very good look at him. He was the spitting image of his brother Jou, which made him wonder if there were any more look a likes here, and who was older.

"Jono, knock it off, you're embarrassing the court in front of our guest," Seth scolded.

"Not at all, in fact his behavior makes it seem more homely really," Yugi said brushing it off still grinning. Jono turned around as if just noticing him for the first time.

"Whoa, you got yourself a copy image, Yami," Jono said without any filter looking between the two males. Everyone stiffened, thinking that Jono had insulted the younger Prince. Yugi burst out laughing, he liked this Jono character. He was like a replica of his brother back home. Jou didn't have a filter on his mouth either, and sometimes it could be embarrassing. He couldn't be any happier that the sandal was on the other foot.

"I like you," Yugi said before turning to Yami and motioning for him to lead on.

Yami was slightly pink as he half dragged half escorted Yugi to his new room. Yami had the guards open it, and Yugi held Yami back for a heartbeat as he allowed his servants in first. He didn't want them getting locked out like they did in England once. It had taken an entire day just to locate them, and that had been a hassle. Yugi walked in and was surprised by it grandness, this room was even larger than the one he had back home. It really was fit for a Royal Wife.

After working his way out of Yami's arms, Yugi walked properly into the middle of the room, and let himself take everything in. There was a Lyptus wooden dresser, nightstand, desk, and bed frame. The bed was made up in a soft blue and white combination. The sheets and blankets where blue, the pillows white as well as the curtains that where hanging from the bed frame. Yugi noticed four doors and checked them out one by one.

The first one was a bathroom and a beautiful one too. It had white wash walls, and the bathtub took up most of the space, his entire family could fit in it, and still have room for more to jump in. The basin for washing hands, and the toilet seemed to be made of the same stone that the columns were made of.

Closing the door, he made his way to the second one, and opened it. It was simply a servant's quarter. The next door he tried was the same. The servants' quarters were made up the same, a small bed, a dresser, and a changing screen. Nothing special, but it was a servant's quarter, he didn't expect it to be. The last door he tried led to a balcony with a spectacular view of the sun setting on a long snake like form of water.

Yugi came back in from the balcony, to see Yami leaning against the door frame. He was watching Mira and Malik trying not to fall asleep where they stood. Yugi smiled before addressing them.

"Go to bed if you're tired. Those two doors there are servant quarters," Yugi said exasperated.

"Okay," Mira and Malik responded sleepily. Mira took the door on the right, and Malik the one on the left. Yugi supposed he shouldn't really be surprised, that's the way their rooms were back home. Shaking his head, he turned to Yami.

"This room is amazing, but I'm tired too, so I would like to retire now," Yugi said hoping Yami would just take the hint and leave. He should have known better, as Yami started to walk into the room.

"So formal," Yami teased.

"Yami, please, not tonight. I'm tired, just go to your room," Yugi said stopping his approach by placing a hand on his chest.

"Fine." Yami conceded turning and leaving. The doors shut behind him.

Yugi sighed, there was still something he had to do before going to sleep himself, so he sat down at the desk and pulled a piece of paper to him and took out the quill. He needed to write to his Royal best friend Ryou Dorobo.

Dear Ryou,

It sure has been a busy month, but where to begin? Rebecca and I no longer engaged, instead I find myself engaged to Crown Prince Yami Sennen, of the Egyptian court. He really is as beautiful as the rumors say. Scratch that, he's much more beautiful than the rumors say. The rumors put to shame his real kissing skills too. The engagement is going well so far, but then again we are only a month into it. That's how long it took to get to Egypt alone. Sorry that this letter is so late, you're probably wondering if I've dropped off the edge of the world. The Priests are very unwelcoming to how I treat Mira and Malik, and they were attacked by a Guard today. Yami saw my cold demeanor, and I was barely able to avoid his questionings about my state of mind. I think being shirtless had something to do with it though. Ah, right, I gave my shirt to Malik to cover his scars, and that's why I was shirtless. We were able to make the trip more fun by pranking without getting caught, a first, but I like it. I was even able to put jalapenos juice in Yami's water the other week, as revenge for the day before when he attacked my sides with tickling fingers. I don't think he connected the two though. Don't get me wrong, he's bright, just not bright enough, you know? I feel as if I'm being fed to wolves here, with the hungriest one at my side, do you think maybe you could come down and lend some support? I know Mira and Malik would appreciate it too. Oh, and another thing, if I have to wear a dress at the wedding in 11 months time, so do you.

I hope to see you soon,

Yugi

And the readers have it, we're keeping cold Yugi! Again, sorry for ignoring you guys. Oh, and before I forget, Innocence caught in the middle won the poll...seven chapters ago. [hangs head in shame] I kept meaning to tell you guys, but I kept forgetting. Anyway, thank you to everyone who have/are favorited/following this story. Also, thanks to everyone who reviewed Guest and User alike. Please review. Midnight ;p