^Atem^
It took almost four days, but we finally made it back to the palace. Yugi and I haven't said much to each other but he seems to be more at ease around me at least. The silence has given me plenty of time to think, though.
I love him. Yugi I mean. I don't even know when it happened exactly, before the whole "I'm going to kill you" thing or after. I don't know, it just happened. He's everything you could ask for and more, way more. Seth even likes him, and that's saying something. My grouchy cousin doesn't like anyone-other than Jono of course.
I watched Yugi as we rode though the village surrounding the palace. I remember the first time Yugi was forced to walk through those streets, tied to a horse, people throwing things, and cursing at him for things he hadn't done. You'd have never guessed he was treated that way. He rode straight and proud on Mit's back, everyone bowing as we rode by. They bowed because of me, but I couldn't help but think, 'This is how he should be treated.' I rode right beside him the whole way, and I never felt so happy. Knowing that no one would ever look down on him again. Yeah, I love him.
Isis and Mahado met us at the palace gates; Seth stole Isis away to see about the slave Jono, Yugi took Mit to the garden to rest saying he'd see me at dinner since its well past mid-day. Mahado and I are in the library.
"The closest thing I could find was Ammit the Devourer, but as you know Ammit and Mit are not the same being."
"No, yet I feel like I've seen Mit before. I just don't know where, or when for that matter."
"I also looked into the gods of other countries. I know such things are frowned upon, yet the creature does seem familiar. Unfortunately, nothing came of it."
"I see. Thank you for searching Mahado. We'll just have to leave it a mystery. Perhaps Mit will one day tell us."
Mahado chuckles, "Yes, my Pharaoh." He begins putting away the scrolls as I simply sit enjoying not moving for once, "You should rest, my Pharaoh. I will send for you when dinner is served."
Sighing I stand, "That sounds perfect, thank you once again." Mahado nods as I leave the large room.
The halls are quiet as I walk toward my chambers, yet I pause at the door and turn around. Yugi's door is open and I hear soft laughter drifting into the hall. Who could that possibly be?
Curious I go to the door intent on knocking, but stop when I hear my name.
"…Atem can be so stubborn." That's Mana's voice.
"You shouldn't talk about the Pharaoh that way! What if he heard you?" I know that voice too; it's the slave Seth likes, Jono.
"Oh he knows he's stubborn-"
"He wasn't being stubborn, at least completely, he was angry. It's nothing I don't understand. Besides I'm just glad he wasn't still angry when he found me."
"Yugi, there's no need to defend him. He's a big boy, he can fight for himself."
"Mana!"
"Oh hush, Jono. Even if he did hear me, he'd agree with me."
"That's not the point, Mana," Yugi interrupts, "The Pharaoh wasn't in the best state of mind. In some ways he didn't even know what he was doing. The point is that he didn't hurt me, he saved me."
"Yeah, but from what you've told us you didn't need saving." Jono says in a low voice.
I hear Yugi chuckle, "Maybe, I was raised by thieves, but I still don't know what would have happened. I am glad the Pharaoh came for me though."
"Yugi, do you like Atem?" Mana asks seriously.
"Of course I do, he's the Pharaoh."
"No, like like."
"What are you taking about Mana?" Jono asks.
"Do you LIKE Atem, the person not the Pharaoh?"
There's a long silence, then someone sighs.
"I knew it!" Mana shouts.
"Mana! Be quiet! The Pharaoh could be sleeping!" Jono insists.
"And?"
"Mana, the Pharaoh's chambers are right across the hall." Yugi says softly.
"Oops."
"I think we should let Yugi get some sleep now."
"He can sleep when he's dead, Jono. I still have questions."
"No, he's right. I haven't slept well since I left. I'll see you in the morning and you can ask me your questions then, okay?"
Mana sighs heavily, "Fine, but you better not hide from me."
I hear them moving around so I run to my chambers and close the door just before they come out.
Why am I hiding in my own palace?
Sighing to myself I decide to deal with it later. Yugi and I can talk at dinner. For now, I need to sleep.
For anyone who doesn't know Ammit the Devourer is an Egyptian god that eats the hearts of men whose heart is weighed against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth, and found impure. It's actually really cool(to me anyway), so go look her up. Yes, Ammit the Devourer is a girl, makes since if you think about it. Girl's are more ruthless than guys(just sayin').