Here's the next chapter.

Enjoy!

Chapter 22- The Wedding Ball

Yugi was in his office, doing some work. 'Between my normal duties and the wedding, I don't have time for anything.' Yugi thought.

Yugi had been working tirelessly the last few days to get things order. There was a lot that he had to do to prepare for the change in rule. Ruling along with Yami would be different from ruling alone, and he had to be ready for when that change comes.

There was a knock on the door.

"Enter!" Yugi called.

Solomon walked into the room. "Working hard?" Solomon asked.

"I have been the entire day the last few days." Yugi answered, not looking up.

Solomon sighed. 'Maybe once Yami moves here permanently he can get Yugi to not work as hard as he does now.' Solomon thought.

"Is there anything else that you needed to talk to me about, Grandpa?" Yugi asked, knowing that he wouldn't have come there without good reason.

"Well, I was wondering when you planned to announce to the kingdom that you're getting married to Yami." Solomon said.

Yugi looked up suddenly, a look of horror on his face. "Oh no! I completely forgot about that!" Yugi exclaimed.

Solomon chuckled. "Given everything that you have to do, I'm not surprised that you forgot, but you might want to consider telling them." Solomon said.

"I know, Grandpa. I'll do it. For that matter, I had better do that now before I forget." Yugi said, standing up.

"You should probably wait. It'll take a while to gather everyone together to hear the announcement." Solomon said.

"Right. Anything else?" Yugi asked, sitting back down.

"Yes. More of Prince Yami's things were brought here today." Solomon said.

"Well, have them placed in the room Yami's staying in for now." Yugi said.

"I already have had that done. I don't think that it will be long before he comes here to stay." Solomon said.

"I know, Grandpa." Yugi said with a smile on his face.

Solomon laughed. "Ready for him to move here?" Solomon asked.

"You have no idea." Yugi answered. He would never admit to his grandfather that he just missed having Yami sleeping in bed beside him.

"Well, you don't have long to wait." Solomon said.

"Yeah. I know." Yugi said, getting back to his work.

Yami was packing up some more of his things. He had sent a lot of things to the Millennial Kingdom already, but there was still a lot that he had to send.

'I never realized that I had this much stuff.' Yami thought as he was going through some more of his drawers in the bureau.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Yami called.

The door opened, and Atemu walked in. "How's the packing going?" Atemu asked.

"Oh, shut up. You've never had to go through all this." Yami snapped as he put some more things in a box.

"Come on. I won't have you around to tease as much pretty soon." Atemu said.

"Yeah. I know." Yami said.

Atemu sat down on the bed and watched as Yami packed. "You know, I never thought that the day would come that you would have to leave." Atemu said.

Yami turned to look at his brother. He smirked and said, "Going to miss me?"

"Between us, yes. Outside of this room, no." Atemu answered.

"I know it's a major change for all of us. I never thought that I would leave either, but I can't help that I fell in love with someone outside the kingdom." Yami said.

"I know. I think that Mom's going to take it the hardest." Atemu said.

"That's a given." Yami answered.

"So, are you happy to be going back?" Atemu asked.

"Yeah. I am. I really want to be with Yugi. It might be strange living in the Millennial Kingdom now, but it's where I need to be now." Yami said.

Atemu nodded. "I get it. I'll miss having you around, but I get it." Atemu said.

Yami smiled. "Well, you have your husband around all the time, and I need to be with my future husband now." Yami said.

"Yeah. I know. I think that it's best. I mean, you shouldn't give up your heart for anything." Atemu said.

Yami smirked. "And to think that before you were married to Heba, you would have said that giving up your heart to a person would be the worst thing that you could do. You would have denied that you loved someone before you would ever consider telling them that you loved them." Yami said.

"Okay. So I could be a pompous ass when I was younger." Atemu said.

"That was only a few years ago." Yami pointed out.

"I know. It's still the truth." Atemu said.

"Okay. I really need to get back to packing." Yami said,

"Yeah. Okay. I'll go." Atemu said, hoping off the bed.

"No offer to help?" Yami asked.

"Nope." Atemu answered before he dashed out of the room,

Yami growled. "I hate when he does that." Yami said to himself before he got back to packing.

The people of the Millennial Kingdom had been gathered together because they had heard that their Emperor had an announcement to make.

Yugi walked out onto the balcony where he looked down at the people of the Millennial Kingdom. "My people, I have called you here to make a grand announcement. I am announcing that I am going to be married." Yugi said.

There were shouts and cheers of happiness from the people. They were all happy to hear about their Emperor's engagement.

Yugi then continued with his announcement. "I will be getting married to Prince Yami of Egypt. The wedding will take place in two months. Prince Yami will be moving into the palace soon and then the wedding will be in two months time." Yugi said.

Once more, the people cheered, just happy that their Emperor had found someone although there were the few that were not happy with this, mostly those that had wanted the chances to marry the Emperor themselves.

After the announcement, Yugi walked back into the palace.

"That went well." Dartz said.

"Yes, it did. For the most part, they are happy with this." Yugi said.

"For the most part?" Solomon asked.

"Grandpa, there are some of them that aren't happy about this because they were hoping to be the one that married me." Yugi said.

"He makes a good point, Solomon. There are many who wanted to be Empress or Emperor alongside Emperor Yugi. Those are the ones that will have problems with this." Dartz agreed.

"Hmm. I suppose so." Solomon agreed.

"It doesn't matter what they think, anyway. Yami is whom I am going to marry. There's nothing they can do about that." Yugi said.

"Indeed." Solomon agreed.

~Three Days Later~

Yami was ready to leave to go to the Millennial Kingdom for good.

"Bye, Yami. You be careful." Amara said as she hugged her son.

"I will, Mom. You don't need to worry about me." Yami assured her.

"We will see you soon, Yami." Aknankanon assured him, knowing that they would be going there for the wedding.

"You take care of yourself." Seto said.

"Yeah. We don't need another pregnant one." Bakura said.

"Bakura!" Heba growled, glaring at Bakura.

Bakura shrugged, not really caring.

"Good luck with him, Ryou." Yami said.

"Thanks." Ryou answered.

After everyone said their goodbyes to Yami, Heba opened a portal to the Millennial Kingdom that Yami went through.

The group then started to disperse.

Amara sighed. "Well, I guess he's gone." Amara said.

Aknankanon wrapped his arms around her. "Don't worry. We'll still see him." Aknankanon said.

"I know, but not as much. It'll be strange not seeing him everyday." Amara said.

"Yami's starting out on a new road in his life. He's going to be married soon, and he'll need to live with his husband." Aknankanon said.

"I know. I'm happy for him even though I am going to miss him." Amara replied.

The two then walked off, knowing that their son was going to be fine.

Yami entered the Millennial Kingdom and was greeted by Solomon.

"Welcome back, Prince Yami." Solomon said.

"Thank you, and please just call me Yami." Yami told him.

"Very well then. I'll ask you to call me Grandpa." Solomon told him.

Yami blinked in surprise. "Grandpa?" Yami asked.

"Yes. You'll be married to my grandson, so you might as well call me that. We'll be family, after all." Solomon explained.

"All right. Where's Yugi at?" Yami asked.

"Probably in his study. He's been in there most of the day the last few days. He has a lot that he has to do." Solomon said.

"Well, that's to be expected. He is the king, after all." Yami said.

"Yu can go and see him if you like." Solomon said.

"I think I will." Yami replied before he walked off.

Solomon smiled. 'I think that Yami is the perfect one for Yugi.' Solomon thought. * * * * * *

Yugi was standing in front of the large window in his study as he looked through some papers. 'I am so tired. I'll be glad when all f this wedding business is over.' Yugi thought.

Yugi vaguely registered that the door had opened and closed. The next thing Yugi knew, there were arms wrapped around his and lips kissing his neck.

Yugi closed his eyes and leaned back. "When did you get here, Yami?" Yugi asked, knowing that it was him.

Yami smirked. "Not that long ago. Your grandfather met me. Apparently, you were too busy to do that. I'm hurt, Yugi. I thought that I was more important to you than that." Yami said, his voice filled with mock hurt.

Yugi turned around in Yami's arms and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Better?" Yugi asked.

"Hmm. Not quite yet." Yami answered. He then pulled Yugi into a deeper, longer kiss.

Yugi dropped the papers that had been in his hands and wrapped his arms around Yami's neck as Yami's arms went around Yugi's waist. Yami ran his tongue over Yugi's bottom lip, asking for entrance that Yugi happily gave him. Yami roamed around the inside of Yugi's mouth, mapping out the cavern that he knew so well.

Finally, the two were forced to break apart for the lack of air.

"I've missed being able to do that the last few days." Yami said.

"I figured that out." Yugi replied. He got out of Yami's arms and picked up the papers that he had dropped on the floor during the heated kiss.

"Do you have to keep working tonight?" Yami asked.

Yugi glanced at him and saw the seductive look in Yami's eyes. "You really don't want to wait, do you?" Yugi asked.

"No, I don't." Yami answered.

"All right. I suppose I can tonight." Yugi agreed. He put away everything that he had out before the two left the room.

The two walked down the halls.

"So, are you staying in your room tonight?" Yugi asked teasingly.

"Not on your life." Yami growled. He had his arm around Yugi's waist.

"Just keep your hands on my waist. No lower until we're in the privacy of my room." Yugi said.

"Sure thing." Yami said.

The moment that the door to Yugi's room was closed, Yami had pressed Yugi up against the door, kissing him.

"Hmm. Horny, much?" Yugi murmured against Yami's lips.

"I haven't been with you for the last few days." Yami replied.

"I'm in for a long night, aren't I?" Yugi asked.

"Yes, you are." Yami replied before he picked Yugi up and threw him on the bed before he joined him, straddling Yugi at the waist.

"Well, might as well get started." Yugi said.

"My thoughts exactly." Yami said as he leaned down and kissed Yugi.

The two were then lost in passion for the rest of the night.

~Two Months Later~

Yami sighed as he looked in the mirror. He was wearing a pair of black slacks, a white shirt with a black vest over the shirt, a white cape hung from his shoulders, and he wore black boots. "I look ridiculous." Yami muttered.

Yugi walked up behind him and wrapped his arms around Yami's waist. "You look fine to me." Yugi said.

Yami turned to face him. "Do I have to wear this?" Yami asked.

"Yes. You have to dress like this. You are my fiancé, and this is the ball that celebrates out wedding tomorrow." Yugi said.

"Yeah. I know." Yami said.

Yugi leaned up and kissed Yami lightly on the lips. "Don't worry, Yami. It'll be over before you know it. Just suffer through it like I do." Yugi said.

"So, you don't like these things, either?" Yami asked.

"Well, I don't mind them, but I'm not thrilled with them, either." Yugi answered.

"Okay." Yami said.

"At least your family is here now." Yugi said.

"Yeah. That is one good thing." Yami agreed.

"Come on. We need to get going. The ball is scheduled to start in a few minutes." Yugi said.

"Oh, all right." Yami said, figuring that it would be better to get it over with.

The two left Yugi's room and headed down the halls to the ballroom.

When the two reached the ballroom, the guards at the doors opened them for the two. Once the two entered the ballroom, the room grew silent as all the guests looked at Yugi.

Yugi smiled and said, "I want to welcome everyone to this ball. We are celebrating my marriage to Yami, which will take place tomorrow. Please, enjoy the ball." Yugi said.

At the end of the short address, the musicians started to play again, and the room was once more filled with music and talking.

Yami and Yugi walked into the crowd.

"How many people are here?" Yami asked in a low voice.

"A lot. You have to remember that all of the allies to the Millennial Kingdom are here along with a lot of the nobility from Egypt and the Millennial Kingdom." Yugi said.

"I know." Yami said.

"Hey, Yami!"

Yami turned to face Bakura. "Hey, Bakura." Yami said.

"This is quite the affair." Bakura said.

"Kura! You said that you would be nice." Ryou said.

"What?" Bakura asked.

"He's fine, Ryou." Yugi assured him.

"All right. If you say so." Ryou said.

"So, this is the last night of your bachelorhood." Marik said.

Yami rolled his eyes. "I haven't been a bachelor for a while, Marik." Yami replied.

Heba walked over and started to talk to Yugi. "So, everything ready for the wedding tomorrow?" Heba asked.

"Yes. I made sure of it." Yugi answered.

Heba was now four months pregnant, and he was showing.

"How are you doing?" Yugi asked.

"I'm fine. Isis says that the baby is perfectly healthy." Heba answered. He laughed and said, 'Atemu was rather happy when he found out that he could feel the baby kick."

"I take it that he is happy." Yugi said.

"He's beyond thrilled. He's looking forward to being a father." Heba said.

"Well, he has a right to be excited." Yugi said.

"I know." Heba answered.

Yugi and Yami needed to greet other guests, so the two walked off from their family to mingle.

The two were stopped by a lot of people to talk.

'I hope that this is over soon.' Yami thought. He could see that some of the congratulations were just practiced things. Some didn't mean them although there were some that were sincere in their words.

Yugi smiled as he looked at Yami. 'I know that he hates this.' Yugi thought. Deciding to help his fiancé out some, Yugi said, "Yami, if you want, you can go back and talk to Heba and the others." Yugi said.

Yami's face lit up. "Thanks, Yugi." Yami said. He kissed Yugi before he walked back to where their family was.

Yugi smiled as he continued to talk to some of the guests.

"Hello, Emperor." a feminine voice said.

Yugi turned to find himself facing a noble woman. He recognized her as one who had come onto him before, and he didn't care for her that much. He pasted on a fake smile and said, "What can I do for you, Lady Mineko?"

Mineko smiled. "I was just wanting to congratulate you on the wedding tomorrow." Mineko said.

Yugi could see through the false words. "Thank you." Yugi said. He started to walk off, but Mineko stopped him.

"I just wondered if I could talk to you a moment longer." Mineko said with a seductive smile.

Yugi mentally groaned. "What do you have to say to me?" Yugi asked.

The two were in a quiet corner where they wouldn't be disturbed unless someone was looking for them.

"I just wondered why you'd want that foreigner when you could have someone from your own homeland." Mineko hissed, her eyes burning with anger.

Yugi's eyes narrowed. "Who I choose to marry is not your concern, Lady Mineko. It is my choice." Yugi said.

"I would have made a much better match for you." Mineko said haughtily.

Yugi smirked. "Well, I disagree." Yugi said.

"And why's that?" Mineko demanded.

"Well, let's just say that your less than savory reputation out me off, for one." Yugi said. His smirk widened at Mineko's shocked expression. "Also, I do not care for women in such a way. You never stood a chance." Yugi said.

"Why?" Mineko hissed.

"I suggest that you stop right now before I have the guards remove you from the ballroom and throw you in the dungeons for such disrespect toward me, your Emperor." Yugi said.

Mineko's shocked and scared expression was enough to tell Yugi that he had gotten his point across.

When Yugi rejoined his family, Heba said, "Problem?"

"What do you mean?" Yugi asked.

"Mineko." Heba answered.

"Well, let's just say that she was an arrogant noble's daughter who had to be reminded of her place." Yugi said.

Aknankanon chuckled. "We have people like that as well." Aknankanon said.

"They just need to be reminded who has the power. I don't use my position to put people in their places often." Yugi said.

"Just to the ones who deserve it." Yami added, having seen Yugi do just that.

"Indeed." Yugi agreed.

The ball continued on.

Yugi turned to Yami and said, "Want to dance?"

"Sure." Yami answered.

The two walked out onto the dance floor and started to dance together.

When the two were dancing together, it seemed like no one else was around. It was just the two of them.

"You know, this hasn't been as bas as I thought it would be." Yami said.

Yugi laughed lightly. "Glad to hear it." Yugi said.

The two continued dancing.

Atemu and Heba were watching them.

"You know, Yugi and Yami really do make a great couple." Heba said.

"I agree. I might not have seen Yami with him before he admitted that he was in love with him, but I do think that they are going to make a great couple." Atemu agreed.

"Going to? I think that they already make a great couple." Heba said.

"I know they do." Atemu said.

"At least they are actually marrying for love." Seto said from behind them.

Atemu rolled his eyes. "Seto, we all fell in love with out husbands. The fact that the marriages were forced doesn't really make a difference." Atemu said.

"You'll have to forgive him. He wants to be an ass today for some reason." Joey said.

"When doesn't he try to be an ass?" Atemu asked.

Seto glared at them.

"Seto, you don't scare me anymore, and you know it." Atemu said.

"I can always try." Seto said.

After they finished dancing, Yugi and Yami started to mingle again.

The two were standing near where two noblemen's sons were talking.

"I don't see why the Emperor would want to marry a foreigner." one said.

"I know. There are plenty of people here who would be much better for him." the other said.

It was obvious that they were talking loudly enough so that Yugi and Yami would hear them.

Yami growled lowly, but Yugi heard it.

Yugi took Yami by the hand and led him away. "Calm down, Yami. It doesn't matter what they say or think. I love you and I am going to marry you. What they think doesn't matter." Yugi said.

Yami smiled at him. "Thank you, Yugi. I guess when I hear people talk like that, I begin to wonder if maybe they are right." Yami said.

Yugi squeezed Yami's hand. "Don't ever think that. You are the only one for me." Yugi assured him.

Yami gave him a small smile. "Thanks, Yugi." Yami said.

Yugi smiled back. "Don't mention it." Yugi said.

The rest of the ball progressed without anything big happening.

Before long, Yugi knew that it was time for the ball to end.

After giving a closing statement and dismissing everyone, the ball came to an end and everyone either went to their guest rooms or home.

Yugi, Yami, Atemu, and Heba were walking down the hall.

To follow the Millennial tradition, Yugi and Yami wouldn't see each other again until the wedding the following day. Also following the tradition, Atemu would be staying with Yami during the night and Heba would be staying with Yugi for the night.

"Well, I think that it would be best if we called it a night. It's a big day tomorrow." Atemu said.

"You're right. We all need to get some rest." Yami agreed.

After the two couples said good night, they went to the separate rooms.

"Excited?" Heba asked.

"Yeah. I am. I'm glad that Yami and I are going to be married tomorrow." Yugi answered.

Heba smiled. "I know that you have to be happy. I'm sure that Yami is, too." Heba said.

"I know he is." Yugi answered.

Heba smiled. "We had better go to bed now." Heba said.

"Right." Yugi agreed.

The two brothers climbed into the bed and went to sleep.

"Ready for tomorrow?" Atemu asked.

"Yes, I am. I can't wait to finally be married to Yugi." Yami answered.

"Well, the only thing that changes is that you two are legally together." Atemu said.

"Maybe, but I still can't wait for it." Yami said.

Atemu laughed. "Well, everyone is entitled to feel that way, I suppose." Atemu said.

"Yes. I am." Yami agreed.

"Come on. We should go to bed. You have a big day tomorrow." Atemu said.

"Right." Yami agreed.

The two brothers climbed into the bed to go to sleep.

I hope you liked it.

Next: The wedding. There's only a couple of more chapters for this story.

R&R.