A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. But I've been doing revision for some exams, while also experiencing writer's block. Luckily I'm over my writer's block (guessing it's thanks to the new story idea I got ((though this one is for a different anime)), which is another reason for my delayed posting.)

Chapter Twelve – First Small Step… So Many More To Go… On This Difficult Road…

Aria's POV

Aria opened her eyes when she heard the door open. Footsteps from heeled boots told her that the person who had opened the door was walking towards her.

"You aren't Yugi are you?" she asked, though she knew the answer.

"No… I'm not…" Yami replied, his voice strained.

"Then… Where is Yugi?" Aria asked, her back still to him.

"I don't know… I'm sorry…" The former Pharaoh replied.

Aria clenched her hands into fists at her side, trying not to break down into tears.

"What happened to him?" She asked in a whisper.

"The wretched Tomb Robber took him." Yami said, his voice full of hate.

A gasp escaped Aria's lips.

No… this can't be happening… it's a lie… a trick… Yugi hasn't been kidnapped… he can't have been… it's all my fault… I brought him into all this… it's all my fault… Oh Yugi… I'm so sorry…

Aria couldn't hold her tears in any longer. The salty water leaked from her eyes, falling fast and hard as sobs wracked her body. She turned and threw herself into Yami's arms, staining the front of his shirt with her tears. Yami rubbed circles onto her back, trying to calm the distraught princess.

"Shhh its ok, shhh. We'll get him back I promise. Now calm yourself, princess." He said.

Aria nodded slowly, pulling away from the ancient being. She noticed the wet patch on his shirt.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to." She said.

Yami shook his head, "Don't worry about it." He reached out a hand and wiped the tears off her cheeks. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you know I wasn't Yugi?" Yami asked, locking eyes with her.

Aria couldn't look away from his mesmerising orbs.

"You speak with more confidence. Plus your eyes are different. More intense… and they don't hold Yugi's innocence. You're Yami, aren't you?" She said, still gazing deeply into his eyes.

The Pharaoh formally known as Atem smiled. "Yes I am, you are very smart to be able to tell me and Aibou apart so easily. You really care for him, don't you?" He said in his deep voice.

Aria blushed bright crimson.

Yami chuckled, "Don't worry about it; I know he likes you a lot too. Though seeing as you two practically just met he didn't want to say anything." He laid a hand on the girl's head.

Aria looked at her feet, not seeing the look of sorrow that filled the prideful Pharaoh's eyes.

"You are mistaken, he cares for another. I know he does." Aria muttered, still looking down.

Yami walked past the princess and stared out the window. His thoughts on what the thief king had told him to do.

"Even if he does… he won't for much longer…" The past Pharaoh muttered under his breath.

The Egyptian Princess, who hadn't heard the spirit's comment, went to stand beside him. Yami glanced sideways at the girl before sighing to himself. Aria turned and looked up at him, her eyes shined with curiosity.

"What's wrong, Yami, besides Yugi's absence?" She asked.

Yami's POV

Yami was surprised with how the Princess had phrased Yugi's kidnap.

Shaking his head slightly, he answered, "Nothing."

The princess arched an eyebrow, obviously not believing him. Rubbing the back of his neck Yami quickly tried to think up a lie.

I can't tell her the truth about what's wrong… If I did that she'd tell Marik… and I'd never get Yugi back… DAMMIT!

Yami mentally sighed being careful not to sigh out loud this time.

I'll just have to go for it… she's smaller than me which means even if she struggles I have the upper hand… unless she screams and Marik shows up… No, all I have to do is cover her mouth that way she won't be able to scream…

Yami sighed again, completely forgetting about not sighing out loud. The princess arched her eyebrow higher.

"Tell me what's wrong." She said in a rather demanding tone.

Crap!

Yami glanced around the room quickly.

What can I use? What would help him? Dammit! I hate this!

Yami's eyes landed on a hand towel that was discarded on the bed. Slowly he walked towards it, ignoring the Princess. He picked it up, twisting it and then pulling it so it was taut. Turning back to face the princess his eyes were clouded. His face blank of all emotion. He moved quickly so he was behind the Princess, leaving her no time to react before gagging her with the twisted towel.

She struggled, kicking and punching at Yami, trying to get free so she could scream. Yami tied the towel tightly, so it wouldn't slip off, ignoring her struggling. Wrapping one arm around her waist so she couldn't run, he slipped his belt off. Pulling her arms behind her back he bound her wrists together with his belt.

"Sorry." He muttered repeatedly.

He picked up the still struggling princess bridal style.

"Please just stay still." He said, walking towards the window.

This caused the princess to struggle more. Carefully he opened the window and jumped out, making sure he had a good grip on the Princess before doing so.

Silently he walked to the stables, the Princess struggling more and more. He placed her on the floor in the stables, took a spare rein and used it to tie her ankles together. Then he saddled a horse.

Yami lifted the princess onto the horse's withers before climbing onto the saddle. The girl struggled more, nearly knocking Yami off. Without thinking he hit her.

"Stop that now!" he shouted in a hushed voice.

Tears streamed down the scared Princess' face as she looked down. Yami made sure she didn't fall off as he rode the horse to the meeting place.

His eyes scanned the horizon for any sign of either Yugi of the Thief King. Neither came into view. He stopped the horse when they reached their destination and climbed off its back, lifting the Princess down carefully. The Princess cried silently, starring at the floor.

Yami felt his heart twinge; he couldn't believe he was trading his descendent for Yugi. But he had to.

The sound of hooves could be heard fast approaching. The girl's head snapped up as the Thief King came into view. He was carrying the glass box with him.

Yugi slowly looked up as the Thief King came to a stop. Yugi's eyes landed on Aria's bound form. The amethyst orbs widened in fear and shock. The Princess let out a small whimper as the Thief King climbed off his horse.

Yami didn't pay attention to anyone but Yugi. His eyes searched over Yugi's small body for any signs of mistreatment.

"Hello, former Pharaoh, I see you did as I asked. How nice of you to help me with my plan." The Thief King said, smirking.

Yugi's eyes moved to stare at Yami. Yami's gaze fell to the floor, he couldn't bear to see the hurt, disbelief and possibly hate in those beautiful eyes.