Chapter 4:Atem and Yugi bond and a surprise visitor
Third Person
Atem woke the next morning feeling somewhat better of his situation. Last night, when he told Yugi of the night he was enslaved, he never spoke the name of the man who did this to him, only referring to him as "The Thief King". He did not wish to even speak his name. Bakura. That name would haunt him till the end of time. Yugi was an innocent boy. He did not need to know the name, only that he was responsible for the misery and unhappiness that Atem now felt. 5,000 years can really change a person. Sometimes for the better, other times for the worst.
The only thing that mattered now, was that he pleased his new master well. Just because Yugi seemed nice now, did not mean he would not succumb to his dark desires should Atem displease him in any way. Atem decided that he would stay on his good side and remain submissive and obedient. That seemed to be his only solution…

Yugi POV
The talk with Atem last night did shine some light on why he acted the way he did towards me when we first met. I understand now. I do not blame him for acting the way he did. If I were in his position, I would have acted the same way. Just knowing that he has suffered for over 5,000 years, makes me sick! How could anyone possibly harm or use him in such ways!? He's been practically forced to serve people he despises! Well, he will soon see that I have no intentions of using him in any way that would hurt him.
I wonder, how he can be so strong when he's faced so many terrible things in his life? I would have broken a long time ago. Although, Atem does seem close to being broken already. Maybe I should try and bond with him a little, and get him to open up more to me and try to fix his spirit. If I can get him to open up more to me about his past, then maybe I can help him feel safer with me. I am starting to feel...warm when I am around him, and it hasn't even been a whole day! Am I falling in love with him…
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Atem POV
I left the room I was given the night before, and walked down the stairs to an amazing smell. I entered a room to find Yugi, cooking something that smelled really good. For years, I have not had any decent meals, if any at all. All my masters barely fed me, only enough to give me enough strength to perform my tasks they required me to do. I was basically fed just bread and water, so smelling something that I was sure tasted good, was a nice change. Although, I doubted I would be fed decently. I was still a slave, and slaves did not eat the food of their masters. It did not matter to me, for I was used to it. Although, I do so wish to have something better on my stomach than simple slave food. I remember the next day after my enslavement, I had begged Bakura for not only a reprieve, but for something to eat as well. Of course, he refused. He said it was to train me in the art of true begging and obedience, but I knew better…

Flashback Scene, 5,000 Years Ago
"Bakura, do you plan on starving me?"
"Why do you ask, my little mud flower?"
"Because, how can I perform for you if I am not fed? I have no strength as it is. I can't work on an empty stomach. Please, give me something to eat. You have worked me to the bone all day! I can't keep up the pace! If you do plan to simply starve me, then at least I will die sooner!"
"Have you forgotten, my little desert flower? The amulet makes you immortal, so even if you starve, You will never die! Hehehehe."
"What? So, even if you starve me I will live this terrible life for all eternity? Why does fate have to be so cruel? Please...Master...Please give me something to eat...I'll do anything..."
"Your begging could use some work. Hehehe. You have to do better than that."
"I will bow before you. I will work my hands completely raw for you. Just please….please at least grant me this one request. I beg you. Would you rather have a weak slave, weak from hunger and exhaustion and barely able to perform for you, or would you rather have a slave that's at least fed and able to fulfill the tasks you give me?"
"What would you do if I were to...grant your request?"
"Anything, Bakura. Anything..." Poor Atem, covered his face into his hands, and sobbed. He was so tired and hungry, that he was at the point where he truly would do anything to please the thief king for something to eat. He truly would give the thief king the pleasure of seeing him struggle beneath him again if it meant he could eat.
"Very well, slave. If you can please me the rest of the week, and work on your begging and obedience, then I'll feed you." Poor Atem. He was so desperate, that he did indeed give in to Bakura's cruel demand.
"Very well, Master."
Flashback Ends
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Atem POV
I would never forget that day. It truly was horrible. After that week, I learned to not beg for food, knowing that every master I would have would not care If I were fed or not. All they cared for, was an obedient slave who worked from sunrise to sunset without complaint. There were times when I would let my emotions go, but over the years have learned that no one cared about my feelings. Well, I will serve my master to the best of my abilities…
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Third Person POV
"Hey, Atem? Are you hungry? I made food for us."
He made food, for me? Why? Isn't he going to give me food that slaves eat?
"Yes, I am hungry. But, aren't you going to make me eat simple bread and water?"
"Why would I do that? You aren't a dog, Atem. I would never starve you like that." Poor Atem. He must have been starved by his other masters. Absolutely sick! Why would anyone starve such a kind person just because they felt like they could?! He isn't an animal! He's a human being, albeit a 5,000 year old one! No one should starve a slave simply to force them into absolute submission!
"Well...thank you. You are the first person in years who has really given a damn about my well being."
"Of course I care. No one should be treated the way you have been. Honestly. I never knew slaves had It so rough."
"Yes, we do. Most masters barely feed their slaves, only enough to do the tasks they are required to do, I was no different. The life I have had to live has been an awful one, but I gave up on being free long ago."
"Why? I mean, is there anyway to break this curse on you?"
"No. The spell the thief king used was an ancient spell, one that was completely unbreakable. He made sure I would suffer for all eternity, serving master after master. Like I said, I have grown used to it."
Really, I have not. There hasn't been a time when I haven't thought about my life before I was enslaved. I was free! I wish to be free again! But….I would serve as a slave till eternity ends.
(Knock Knock)
"Oh, That must be my friend from school. He came by to check on me, since my grandfather moved out about a month ago he's been coming by to make sure I've been ok. I'll be right back."
"Alright."
"Hey, Bakura. What's up?"
Bakura?!
"Hey, man. What's up?"
"Nothing much. Oh by the way, you know gramps got me a slave right? Well, I am not going to treat him like one. He's been through enough hell as it is."
"Wow mate. Good for you. I know how much ou hate slavery. Is that him?"
"Yeah. Atem, this is Bakura. Bakura, this is Atem."
"A pleasure to meet you." So, the little Pharaoh has lived through to this time. How ironic he would end up here. Hehehehe, he seems to be truly broken. Excelent. Soon, I will have him back in my grasp.
"Same here, Bakura." It's him! The thief king! I can feel his soul inside of the boy! I have to warn Yugi somehow! He will try to gain me back! I will not let him hurt Yugi if I can stop it! I….Love Yugi. I know I have only just met him, but I feel safe with him and warm. I will not let Bakura hurt him!