Yugi, who had taken Atem's hand in his again when seeing the former Pharaoh's eyes become distant, stiffened as he listened. The Pharaoh had stayed behind...facing a pending sand storm which he had been told by both his grandfather and Atem could become quite violent and even lethal and all for the sake to evacuate his people to safety. How many Pharaoh's before and after Atem could even say that they would have done the same? Faced a storm that could have killed them.. His young heart swelled with pride for this man before him. There had been many Pharaoh's during a time Egypt's pyramids was still young, but not many of those said rulers would have risked themselves in order to save their subjects, but Atem obviously did... Why then? Why had the former king of Egypt looked so down upon himself since Yugi knew him?

Atem's distant eyes blinked then, focusing again before meeting Yugi's once again, making the young man realize the older of them had heard his thoughts which in turn, made his cheeks tinge pink. Atem had often told the Japanese teen that his thoughts were very loud, so he could hear them without needing to enter his mind.

Yugi was about to apologize for thinking too loudly again, thinking that Atem may be angry that his thoughts were interrupted, but the lifting of the Egyptian's lips forming a smile made his apology die in his throat before he even opened his mouth. Yugi smiled back, squeezing the former king's hand once again in comfort and encouragement to continue, but said king looked to where their hands were connected before his smile slightly widened and he squeezed back gently before looking back up.

"Yugi, it amazes me still how thoughtful you can be. You are so stiff after hearing I stayed behind, although you see me before you, you worry still as if fearing that, that sandstorm took my life."

"It could have Atem.." The boy's blush darkened as Atem straightened making them be able to keep their gazes locked easier, but Yugi took that chance to look down at their hands, the difference in tone contrasting starkly like caramel and cream. "You stayed behind knowing what danger you were in to protect the people.. Not many Pharaoh's have or would have done that in your position. They would have chosen instead to hide behind the massive walls of the palace alone and let the people fare the best they could.. That alone shows you were a great leader."

Atem blinked in surprise before a smile took the place of his surprised expression, somehow even though he knew this young man, Yugi always never failed to amaze him. Yugi really was a gem, a priceless treasure amoung others who dulled in compare and yet this amazing teen could never see it in himself. When the former Pharaoh had first met the boy, he'd had his guard up as it had been for millennia and he hadn't really believed that anyone, especially a modern man could be so optimistic, pure, and kind... within a week Yugi had proven him wrong and shown him that regardless of how much the world had changed, there were still good people out there... Not many, but some. Still though, old habits died hard and he was still worried that by the end of his tale, he would be shunned away. Once his complete past was revealed how would Yugi see him then? Still though, in spite of his fear, he had given his word he would tell his aibou everything and now the time had come..

Yugi, looked back up to Atem nervously, wondering why he was so quiet and upon seeing the distant look in the Egyptian's eyes, he understood why. The Pharaoh had gotten lost in thought again, he always wore that expression when he did. Yugi took the time, to admire the man across from him in the silence, watching him as they sat there and wishing just as he did often that he had the ability to read the thoughts of the other. Atem's inner musings were always a mystery to him and though Yugi asked at times what the Pharaoh was thinking, Atem merely smiled each time and changed the subject. As the minutes ticked by, without a sound, Yugi's curiosity finally got the better of him and he again gently squeezed Atem's hand, smiling apologetically for taking him from his thoughts when the man blinked and slightly jumped.

"Every minute that ticks away the later it gets, Atem and I want to hear as much as I can before I have to go to bed."

Atem nodded, smiling back to the boy a bit apologetically himself for his constant pauses before his face became the picture of calm once again and he continued his tale.

"I ran about the city like Anubis was on my heels, trying to warn as many of my people as I could. I had assistance as well in the form of panic. Those I had already told fled their homes and screamed warnings, it was so loud, no one would have been able to miss it. Even still, there were elderly that required aid, but thankfully at that point the soldiers I had called for came to assist... We were about to leave the city and run for it to the palace.."

"What happened..?"

"...I heard crying."

Atem again had to shout to be heard over the loud winds, before pulling his cape over his head to shield himself from the flying sand as best as he could, as he ran toward the palace after he was sure everyone had been evacuated. The elderly were on the backs of horses, being led by soldiers toward the palace, but the sound of crying made him stop. He turned to the direction the sound was coming from, his heart squeezing and his eyes widening seeing a young boy there. The boy was an orphan who lived on the street, that much was obvious by the child's torn and dirty tunic as well as the bruises.

The boy, who it seemed sensed eyes on him, looked back to Atem with tear filled, brown eyes before his gaze darted away and he bowed as low as he could. The sight made the Pharaoh's squeezing hurt clench further before he ran to the boy, removing his cape as he went. Once making it to the boy's side, Atem draped his cape over the small and shaking shoulders, pulling it up so the child was shielded from the storm which was gaining strength, telling the Pharaoh it was almost upon them... He had to make haste if they were to make it..

Atem, secured the cape around the child before turning so his back was facing him. The boy seeing the movement, panicked, thinking he was going to be left behind with only a cape for cover and looked up with a whimper, shaking renewed before Atem looked over his shoulder at him.

"What are you waiting for? Hop on." The boy looked like he was about to argue, but about that time sand began billowing into the city. Seeing that, any argument the boy may have had, died in his throat and he threw himself at the Pharaoh's back, wrapping one shaking arm around Atem's neck to hang on, his other hand holding the cape in place.

Atem wasted no time in securing his arms under the boy's thighs and taking off full tilt toward the palace, running faster than he ever had in his life. He no longer had just his life on the line, but that of a child who had put his trust in his king to save him. This thought made his legs gain even more speed, until the limbs were burning angrily from the exersion, the biting wind and sand at the back of his legs wasn't helping this any either. Around them, pottery was beginning to be tossed with the high winds and those same winds nearly had the Pharaoh falling on his face a few times, but he kept his balance by shifting just the right way as he raced against the storm, the whimpers in his ear from the frightened boy pushing him to run faster and faster, until at last they made it to the gates.

"GUARDS CLOSE THE GATES!"

When the words left his mouth the small arm around his neck tightened its grip, nearly choking him, but he in turn strengthened his own grip, seeing the massive doors beginning to close. Atem's eyes narrowed in determination and he forced his already burning legs to run even faster, his lungs doing no better as he panted harshly, not used to the weight on his back as he ran or pushing himself so hard. Just as the doors were half closed, the Pharaoh darted through the crack before stopping and letting the boy off his back, he quickly told the boy to run for the palace before turning to the gates and helping his men push them shut, not an easy task as the doors were massive anyway, and even harder thanks to the harsh winds pushing at them.

Great Ra, aid us...

No sooner had he thought this, than sand began rushing through the doors and pushing them back, however it was only inches they slid backwards before there was a great gust that came from behind them, knocking all of them down and forcing the doors from their hands in the process which slammed shut denying the storm further passage. The Pharaoh was the first to pull himself up, blinking in shock at first, before quickly jumping to his feet and acting fast, running to a beam they used to barricade the doors for times such as this, soon joined by the others as the winds threatened to throw the doors open.

It took much effort, but finally they managed to get the doors secured by the beam and all rushed toward the palace where the people of Egypt, including his queen all awaited their king. As soon as he stepped foot into the throne room, all fell to their knees, bowing to him, the young boy at the front of them all. Atem couldn't help, but smile at the sight and walked to his throne where Heba stood waiting, knowing the people needed their Pharaoh. Atem took Heba's hand gently in his before they simultaneously turned to the people.

"Fear not good people, the storm shall soon subside. For the time being, you will remain here within the palace walls. Anything you have need of will be provided by one of the workers here. As for rooming arrangements, it would be better to stay within groups so there will be ten per room as it is easy to get turned around in some hallways, I assure you the rooms are plenty big enough," Heba spoke.

"If you wish to bathe or eat, a bath and meal will be prepared for you. As your queen has said, you need only ask. Now please, rise and get into groups of ten. After you have done this, the workers standing by will lead you to your rooms."

After the people had done as told and had exited the room, Atem stood, but Heba remained seated. Atem arched a brow in question which Heba responded to by nodding at what had his attention, making Atem turn, his smile returning at who he saw. The young boy he'd given his cape to kneeled there just at the bottom of the stairs leading to the thrones, his head bowed and his small hands holding the cape out to him.

The tolling of the old grandfather clock signaling eleven o'clock had the former Pharaoh closing his mouth just as he was about to speak again and continue the tale. Yugi, jumped, startled at the sound having not expected it as he was so engrossed in the story the former king was telling him. Atem smiled at the teen, before taking his hands from him, his gaze warm as he watched Yugi try to stifle a yawn without luck.

"It is late hikari, you need to sleep."

"B-But I'm not..." A yawn cut his words off as it his lips to part before he covered his mouth making Atem chuckle. Once the pale hand was moved from his lips, Yugi smiled drowsily, blinking now to keep his eyes open as long as he could. "Ok, maybe a little tired," he admitted.

Atem chuckled again and stood, offering a hand to help Yugi up, pulling him to his feet gently when the teen took his hand. Atem held on for a moment longer, staring into Yugi's sleepy eyes, not realizing his thumb was gently caressing the back of Yugi's hand, but another yawn had him releasing the young man.

"Go to bed, aibou. I will continue tomorrow evening."

"Promise?"

Atem chuckled at the small pout on the hikari's face before nodding.

"Promise."

Yugi nodded at that and began walking to the stairs leading to his room, but stopped at the foot of the stairs, turning back to Atem who had turned to watch him.

"Atem...?"

"Hmm?"

"I know you're worried about telling me everything..." Atem's eyes widened at that, not expecting Yugi to know. Was he really that readable? He was still asking himself a barrage of questions as well as berating himself for "being so obvious" when, Yugi's voice cut through his thoughts once again. "But please don't leave me my yami. Promise me you won't..."

Atem's eyes widened once again, Yugi had just called him, his darkness, his yami. He had never thought he would hear that from the teen either. He had often called Yugi his hikari, but never once until now did Yugi reciprocate the comment. Atem's heart squeezed in his chest when the teen's words all hit him. Yugi had requested that Atem promise he wouldn't leave, but could he do it? Could he truthfully, honestly do it? His answer came from his mouth as if his heart answered before his mind could stop it.

"I promise, I will not leave you unless you send me away."

Yugi smiled at that answer, running to him and hugging him, thus surprising the Pharaoh, but the embrace didn't last long before the young hikari turned and ran up the stairs with his cheeks flaming red, leaving Atem standing stunned in the den before slowly a smile curved his lips and he plopped down onto the couch chuckling softly once again.

"What a boy.."

ED: At last I've updated Darker Than Black. I thought I would never get it done since my muse likes to disappear.

Atem: What, no good night kiss?!

Yugi: -Blushes.- Pharaoh!

ED: -Sighs.- Patience is a virtue Temmy.

Atem: Obviously we both want to!

Yugi: I'm just going to...yeah..go die of embarassment.. -Walks away.-

Atem: Tem... -Eyes widen before he runs after Yugi.- Aibou wait!

ED: -Laughs at them before turning to readers.- Please review, suggestions are welcome and thank you all for being so patient with me.

Disclaimer: I don't own em'! But the plot is all mine.