The amount of cheesy in the last few chapters, OMJ; anyway this is the next to last chapter, sorry it took so long. I really didn't know how I wanted to end it, I guess I could have ended it with the last chapter but it still felt unfinished to me, so here we are. Enjoy!

^Atem^

It's well past midnight, Yugi is sleeping, and I can see Mit in the garden below the balcony. He's been looking for something for days now. I watched Yugi try to get him to stop this morning, I got the impression Yugi doesn't want me to know about it, but I trust him so I didn't say anything. Still though, I wonder why the creature refuses to leave it be.

"Mit, what is it?" I whisper, but I know he hears me. He stops to look up at me, as I lean over the balcony's edge. He almost looks sad, and I frown at him.

He goes back to smelling the ground and walking to the far side of the garden near one of the gates and back to the steps that lead inside before I decide he's been looking long enough. I check to make sure Yugi is sleeping before I leave my chamber and head to the garden.

I don't like to leave Yugi; the wedding is only two day away and some of our neighboring country's leaders are here, they're less than pleased and most are staying in the palace. I'll be glad when they leave, at least than I won't be so worried about Yugi's safety. Not to mention the Thief King locked in the deepest part of the palace. Though Seth seems all too happy to keep him chained up, I can't say I mind the idea too much, still he does need to be moved away from the palace.

The garden is the same as ever, the moon giving just enough light to make it creepy, but then Mit appears out of the bushes and runs to the edge of the steps lying down to wait as I walk down to meet him. I rub his head and ask, "What are you looking for?"

Mit snorts, stands up, and slowly walks up the steps into the palace. I walk beside him, reminding him to be quiet as people are sleeping nearby. Mit stops a few times smelling the ground or the wall and soon we're in the soldiers' area of the palace. Mit slows down, constantly sniffing, finally he stops, glaring at the door in front of him.

I know the man that lives behind that door, he's Marik's fourth in command, "Runihura? He's not here Mit; he's watching Bakura below the palace. What is this about?"

"My Pharaoh?" I turn around to see Marik emerging from his chamber behind me, he bows, "Can I be of assistance?"

"It far too late for formalities, Marik," He smirks straightening up before leaning against the wall and crossing his arms, "Mit tracked someone down here, but I don't know why."

"Runihura?" I nod, "Fourth in rank, sixth in overall fighting, decent soldier."

"Sixth overall?"

"Overall includes yourself and the Priests, Seth, Mahado, Shada and of course myself."

"Then why isn't he second in command?"

"His attitude; Runihura seems to think you should kill someone for the smallest of things. I know we're soldiers but he doesn't know what the word mercy means. I can't have him too high up, he'll cause too much trouble, kill too many people."

"A cruel soldier," Mit growls beside me agreeing, "Thank you, Marik. I don't know what's going on exactly but keep an eye on Runihura for me. I want to get this straightened out before the wedding."

"Of course. The other leaders driving you crazy?"

"Every day, if I have to hear their opinions one more time, I might just throw them out. It's like they forget who they're talking to, and the princess from Mali keeps saying she'd make a better queen. I don't know how Yugi stands it."

"How is he? I haven't spoken to him lately; I know he doesn't leave your side."

"He's doing fine, every time someone says something against him, he just smiles like he knows a secret they don't. It's the only reason I haven't put an end to their banter really. I'm worried for him though, there's too many powerful people in the palace with their own guards, he doesn't like it, and neither do I."

Marik nods, "I was thinking about that earlier. Mahado was asking about the private library and the spell casting chambers. He was worried something would be stolen. It got me thinking about your chambers."

"It'd be suicide if they tried anything, but I agree, it'd make us feel better at the least."

"I'll see to it. It's late; I think you should get some sleep. You have guests to entertain after all." Marik smirks.

"As I said, I'll be glad when they leave. Come on Mit."

"Oh Pharaoh, please, you must let us see the gardens at some point, we've heard they're more beautiful than a jungle! Surely you wouldn't deny us such a simple request?"

Yugi holds onto my hand as we sit listening to the banter of the other leaders, they seem to have given up on changing my mind about the wedding, now they seem to have actually noticed that they're not in their own countries, "You know of Mit."

"The strange creature from the desert? I thought it was only a rumor."

"Mit is no rumor, Princess," Yugi answers for me, "but if you'd like to see the garden I'm sure he wouldn't mind, he doesn't get many visitors."

As usual in the morning Mit is sitting on top the garden wall, he jumps down, padding his way toward us as we descend the steps. Yugi and I meet him at the bottom while the others stop half way to stare. Slowly the others come closer until they're all around him, Mit sniffs them all and seems to like their different clothes and smells.

"What is he?"

"We don't know." I tell them.

"He could be dangerous, and you let him in the palace?"

"I've known Mit nearly my whole life; I know very well he can be dangerous. He reminds me of the Pharaoh that way." The others seem startled to hear Yugi compare the two of us, they turn their attention from Mit to Yugi as he talks, "Mit is gentle, kind, and protective, as is the Pharaoh. They both have great power, and know exactly how to use it. They know when to be kind, and when to be cruel. Mit will only hurt those who hurt us."

The leaders look around at each other, before nodding in approval of Yugi's explanation, "In that case, it seems you have the best guard in the world."

Yugi smiles at Mit, "I guess that's one way to put it."

Mit looks up the steps almost growling; I turn to see Runihura standing with the guards of our guests.

"Mit." I hear Yugi whisper, too low for the others to hear. Mit turns to the gardens, leading the others farther into the greenery.

Yugi and I are in the garden again, the sun set an hour ago but Yugi wanted to see Mit before bed. He's whispering to him now while I sit on the steps. One more day and we'll be married. One more day to finish wedding details. One more day to entertain guests. One more day.

I hear Mit growl staring through a gate at the far end of the garden, I look carefully and see Runihura walking by on his way to watch Bakura for the night. Yugi walks over to me, "Tired?"

"Pretty close," Yugi sits down beside me, "Why does Mit growl at that soldier?"

Yugi frowns, "He…he's the soldier that put me in that isolated cell, when I was first brought to the palace. Do you remember?"

"Of course, I wanted you away from the thieves; I didn't want them to hurt you."

He gives me a sad smile, "We should go to bed." I nod following him into the palace.

Yugi is sleeping when I step into the hallway to talk to Marik, who's acting as our guard for the first half of the night.

"Pharaoh?" Marik asks leaning against the wall.

"Yugi told me something earlier. Runihura was the soldier that put him in the isolated cell his first day here."

He nods, "Yes, I remember that. I yelled at him because he disappeared. I heard you give him the order to take Yugi away, but he didn't return for hours. He tried to tell me he was, 'taking care of a problem' for you."

"Oh Ra." I whisper putting the pieces together in my mind.

"Atem, what is it?" Marik asks straightening up, his voice worried.

"He was in pain," I glare down the hall, trying to contain my anger, "When he was brought to the throne room that afternoon, I remember thinking he must have gotten hurt in the cell, he needed help to kneel properly and to get up, Chigaru kept a hand on him the whole time. Yugi was the 'problem' Runihura 'took care of'."

Marik gasps, watching my glare at nothing, "He…"

I nod, "I want you to visit Runihura below the palace, take Seth and Mahado with you. Chain him to Bakura, if he tries to escape, take care of it."

Marik bows, "Yes, My Lord."

"And Marik," he pauses as he turns to go, "no one speaks of this after tonight. Is that clear?"

"Of course, Pharaoh." I return to my chamber, but I don't see Yugi.

I walk toward the balcony, and sure enough there he is, watching he stars. I walk up behind him, warp my arms around him, and bury my face in his hair, "I love you."

"And I love you," I feel him sigh, "I heard you talking to Marik. I'm sorry."

I kiss his head before answering, "Don't be, I sent you away with him, I should have been more careful. I'm the one that should be sorry. You did nothing wrong."

Yugi shakes his head, "Don't start blaming yourself. That's why I didn't tell you before."

"Were you ever going to tell me?" I whisper.

"I wouldn't have lied if you had asked, but no."

I kiss his cheek from behind, "I love you."

"I love you." He leans into me still watching the stars.

"When do you sleep anyway?" I ask trying to ease the tension around us, "You're always awake when I come in."

Yugi laughs, "I sleep with you, I don't know why, but I can't sleep for long without you. I tried a few times, but I just can't fall asleep."

I smile into his hair, "We should sleep then. One more day."

"One and a half, we're getting married at noon, or did you forget?"

"No, but half a day can go by a lot faster than a whole day."

"That's true." I take his hand tugging him back inside and to bed; both of us have had enough talk. He curls up beside me, and I pull him close. I thank Ra Yugi is so strong, anyone else would be a mess right now.