Lemon- No (but implied).
Continuation From - None.
Warnings- Some abuse: Non-Explicit.
Yugi sat up in bed, looking around the old stone room as the same noise from the night before met his ears. Someone was crying. It echoed hauntingly throughout the old stone mansion that had once been a Pharaoh's palace.
Yugi got out of his large bed and lit a candle, clad only in a floor-length sleeping gown the boy began to search. His heart was in his mouth as he looked for the source of the crying. He hoped that Dartz, the stern and cruel housekeeper, wasn't patrolling the old Palace's corridors. The man didn't like 'nosy kids' and was a complete control freak, if one thing wasn't as he wished he would fly into a rage.
Yugi turned another corner, to follow the noise down another corridor, holding his candle high and gasping in fight at the scary shadows it created. The Japanese boy shrank to the wall, his back touching both stone and wood …
Yugi gasped again, hearing the crying coming from the wall. He pushed aside the wall curtain and found a hidden wooden door slightly ajar. He touched it hesitantly and it smoothly opened, the sound was louder now.
Yugi stepped into the hidden hallway and shut the door nearly closed behind him, then began to explore. He realised he was nearing the Eastern tower! The one that he was told was empty and forbidden, or reserved for guests. But his sponsor never had guests, he was a sad man; there seemed to be no joy in his eyes or in his heart, he was too isolated and alone to have guests. Yugi felt sorry for him, it was like there was nothing worth living for in the man's life. Yugi had experienced that feeling once, when he became an orphan ...
But on the topic of the 'empty tower-wing' Yugi knew he was being lied to; that there was someone, or something, living in the Eastern tower, but what could he do? It wasn't his home, he wasn't a master here. He was a tolerated guest, a charity case …
Yugi turned his thoughts away from depression and pressed onwards.
Finally he turned a corner and found a small room, a balcony for an upper part, and a bed and living space downstairs. The room was made of browns, reds and golds, every natural surface seemed to be covered in fabric. There were places to sit, a table with items, draws and a bath, and a large ornate and curtained bed.
He knelt down and looked down through the stone railings and found the source of the crying. His breath caught as he found the form of a young man, maybe slightly older than himself, tangled in sheets and crying in his sleep.
Yugi felt pity well up inside him, he slowly climbed down the steep stone steps that let him into the room and went to the bed. He reached down into the many covers and pillows and gently held the young man's hand.
His skin was white, even more than his, his arms and body was thin under his sleeping garments, his hair was like Yugi's; tri coloured and gravity defying though it was tousled from sleep, his face was sharper than his own, but he seemed to be a similar height, even though he was in bed.
Yugi saw the boy's tears and put his candle down to smooth them away, humming soothingly as he touched the man's cool skin.
The hand in his tightened suddenly, the young man snapping awake as soon as Yugi touched him. Yugi gasped and pulled back, though the grip on his hand was tight, it didn't hurt.
For a moment Yugi was lost in deep crimson eyes.
The man panted slightly as Yugi did from the scare, then he relaxed. "A-are you a ghost?" the man whispered.
Yugi mutely shook his head. "N-no," he managed after a moment "Are you?" he was as pale as one, and he lived in a hidden place ...
The young man snorted, as if the idea was ridicules "Of course not …" he looked at Yugi intensely, as if he was seeing something extraordinary. Something so special it wasn't real. "Are you a dream then?" he asked, looking vulnerable and lonely "Sometimes my dreams are so real."
Yugi smiled kindly and sat on the side of his bed, "I'm real. Can't you feel me?" he asked, squeezing the man's hand comfortingly. The crimson eyed man looked at their hands and smiled. Yugi tilted his head "Who are you?"
The man smiled "Yami Sennen. I'm the master here."
"Master?" Yugi repeated doubtfully.
Yami shrugged "When my Father's away," he clarified, still looking at Yugi as if he was something that would vanish if he so much as glanced elsewhere.
Yugi blinked "Your Father … is he Aknamkanon?" he asked.
Yami gasped "Yes, what's your name?"
"Yugi Moto," the boy answered. "I … I'm a guest here."
Yami looked doubtful "Father never has guests," he muttered.
Yugi looked down "He's my sponsor," he admitted sadly.
Yami tilted his head and pulled at Yugi's sleeve, it was the furthest he could reach from his sleeping position "For what?" he inquired, sounding curious.
Yugi felt a few tears appear "T-there was an earthquake i-in Japan, w-where used to live. My village is gone now … m-my parents went with it," he curled up small and wrapped his arms around his legs "I had no family left to look after me. Then some people offered to sponsor a child to get us out of orphanages and into good care. Your Dad is mine," he explained.
Yami looked sad too "I'm sorry … I lost my Mother, I never met her really. She died when I was born," he said factually. He looked up at a curtain and pointed "You see that cord over there? Pull it," he ordered, but not harshly.
Yugi wasn't sure what to make of the order, but his curiosity made him obey. He pulled on the red cord and curtains parted over a hidden portrait. It was of a pretty two-toned-haired woman, dressed in finery and sitting on a balcony overlooking a beautiful oasis. "Wow …" Yugi murmured; the painting was wonderful, even in the dim candlelight, whoever the lady was she was beautiful.
Yami smiled at Yugi then looked up at the panting blankly "That's her, my Mother," he told his guest.
Yugi glanced at him "Why is she covered up? She's beautiful," he protested, staring up at her again. She looked like a princess from a lost time, her skin was exotic and her hair completely clashed; Red like a ruby with golden bangs and tips. It was so strange to keep her hidden like that.
Yami looked at her sadly "Her smile is too happy sometimes …"
"Too happy?" Yugi parroted.
Yami nodded "It's … inappropriate … to see her smile like that when I'm here dying."
Yugi gasped, his insides freezing at the thought "You're … you're what?"
Yami smiled grimly and pulled himself up using only his arms "It's nothing big. I was born too soon, when she died actually. She had an accident and went into labour too soon, I had to be cut out of her when she was too weak to do it herself. Everyone said I would die, Father had me shut away in here and Dartz and the servants have to keep me well," he looked at his hands, their bones nearly showing through almost transparent-white skin.
Yugi sat beside him again "You've never walked?" he murmured in a mixture of horror and wonder.
Yami shook his head "No … pathetic right?" he muttered. "How old are you Yugi?"
"Sixteen."
Yami smiled "I'm seventeen."
Yugi grinned "Like Atem."
Yami tilted his head "Who's Atem?"
Yugi grinned and began to tell him about his friend "He's a boy like us who lives in the village, he comes in through the river and he's got lots of tamed animals. He's got cats and hawks and eagles he tamed himself from wild, and he's got a horse, but I haven't met him yet."
Yami smiled "He sounds nice," he sounded wistful.
Yugi looked at a chair that was in the corner of the room, it had wheels so people could push this man about "Mmm … maybe you could meet him? If we got some help we could put you in the chair and take you outside."
Yami deflated "I can't … Dartz says I can never go outside, he says the air will kill me," he admitted, sounding very sad. "But I want too," he reached under his pillow and pulled out a book full of exotic places and cities and turned a few pages so Yugi could see. "I want to see all these places with my own eyes … but he'll never allow it."
Yugi frowned and patted his arm "It's alright, I'm sorry for saying that."
Yami smiled "It's fine, you didn't know," he assured him, putting a hand on his shoulder, his fingers and hand moving to feel him gently.
Yugi knew he should have been insulted or at least wary of the touches, but he somehow felt that Yami needed human contact. His thoughts wandered "It's probably a lie you know … Mother once told me a true story of a man who was very ill, he came from a big city. He came to our village on the mountain and the healer told him that he had to climb to the top of a mountain, to a little house surrounded by tame goats." He giggled as Yami accidently tickled him.
Yami pulled away and nodded "Go on," he encouraged, going back to just holding Yugi's hand, he was drinking up Yugi's words as a plant would in damp soil.
Yugi smiled "The worker did as the healer said and went to the house. He lived there for two weeks, taking long walks in the hills, breathing the cleanest air and eating nothing but flat bread and goats milk," he licked his lips at the memory of his villages own batch. He continued after a moment "When he came back down he was healthy and well again, stronger than before too. He was the best worker in his hometown after that."
Yami smiled his eyes had drifted shut as Yugi spoke, "Good for him … are you saying that Dartz is … wrong about the outside air?" he questioned, looking at him curiously.
Yugi shrugged "It's never hurt me. I was born small and weak, not as bad as you I think, but I turned out fine." He looked at the windows, all boarded up from the outside "If you opened a window you could see if it's bad for you," he suggested.
Yami thought about it then said "Dartz would be angry, he'd notice and take you away for good," he said in defeat.
Yugi was about to protest when steady footsteps were heard coming from the little hallway up on the balcony. Yugi looked up and Yami tensed in worry "That's Dartz!" he hissed, Yugi also tensing in fear.
Yami pushed Yugi a little "Hide under the bed, if he sees you he'll never let you come back," he whispered.
Yugi at once dived for cover, and just in time too.
Dartz leaned over the side, seeing Yami awake and looking at his pictures of outside again. "Young Master? Are you alright? I thought I heard voices," he said, glaring at the candle on his bedside table … it wasn't there before.
Yami looked up "I was wondering what these places are like again," he said calmly. Yugi shook like a leaf under the bedframe, the housekeeper scared him.
Dartz came downstairs and held up the foreign candle "Where did this come from?" he asked suspiciously.
Yami looked at it and said "Maid left it, I wanted to read," he explained.
Dartz accepted the explanation and nodded "Alright, but I'm taking it now, you need your rest Young Master," he said, marching up the steep stairs and leaving the teens without light.
Yami counted to one hundred then whispered "Come out now."
Yugi crawled out and pressed his back against the frame in fear: he hated the dark, it was his worst fear. Yami's hand touched his shoulder, his eyes used to the dim light, and gasped when he felt the boy shaking. "What's wrong?" he asked softly, soothingly.
Yugi clutched Yami's hand "I-I'm scared o-of the dark," he admitted and buried his head in Yami's hand, he wasn't sure how he's climb up the steep steps without falling, and he'd never find his way through all the corridors without a light.
Yami's face was sympathetic, he pulled on Yugi's hands gently, "Sit by me, you can stay until the maid comes in the morning, she'll take you back to your room," he whispered comfortingly.
Yugi nodded and crawled across the bed to sit by the older teen, the young man held him close and stroked his hair, marvelling silently at the texture and softness of it. The young man who was starved of friendly human contact was fascinated by Yugi, his smell, his skin, his eyes and the feeling of his hair … everything. But he was careful, he never saw the maids or servants touch like this, he didn't want to offend the boy.
Yugi relaxed to the rhythm of the strokes, it made him feel safe. Yugi closed his eyes and leaned into the pillows "Thank you," he murmured before falling asleep.
Yami tried to stay awake and hold him longer, but he was tired too and quickly followed him into the world of dreams.
"Atem!" Yugi called as he walked along the river, he was normally here.
A caw was heard above him, Yugi looked up and saw a large hawk. Sharp-eye. Yugi smiled and waved at him "Sharp-eye! Can you tell me where Atem is?" he asked.
The bird swooped down just behind a hedge and Yugi followed with a giggle. Just as expected, Atem was sitting in the Palace gardens waiting for Yugi to find him. He was petting one of the many cats that liked to follow him around, the hawk landed on his shoulder and he looked up with a handsome smile "Yugi," he greeted warmly.
Some of the more friendly cats mewed and rubbed themselves against Yugi's legs affectionately, Yugi picked up a small white one and cuddled it as she made herself comfortable. Atem patted a spot next to him and Yugi smiled "Good Morning Atem-kun," he smiled.
Atem grinned "And to you, Sharp-eye told me you were coming," he said, petting the magnificent bird.
Yugi stared in awe then said "Atem, I met the Master's son last night."
Atem blinked "Master Yami?"
Yugi gasped "You know him?"
Atem shrugged "Everyone knows about him. But hardly anyone's seen him," he said in his deep but calming voice. "Dartz has him locked away, tells everyone he's a hideous hunchback like his grandfather."
Yugi gasped and shook his head "No, he's not like that at all."
Atem tilted his head curiously, one of his pets copying and making Yugi giggle. Atem scratched the animal's head and said "What is he like then?"
Yugi petted his cat's fur and said "He's very white, he's never been in the sun before. He's got red eyes, but not like yours, they're brighter like blood. He has hair like us, more like you though. But he's so thin!" he stressed "It's like he's made of paper."
Atem listened curiously "Like his Mother then, I've seen a painting of her before."
Yugi nodded "Me too … he can't stay in that room Atem, he's so convinced he's dying, but he's just weak. He wants to see the sun, I can see it in his eyes when I was talking about going out," he explained softly.
Atem put an arm around his shoulders "Well it's in that room where he'll be sick. The servants told me that he hardly eats and sleeps, he's so lonely but Dartz doesn't want them to talk to him."
Yugi looked up at the older teen "Why's that?"
Atem glanced around and whispered "If Yami got better, then he'd get the estate when he grew up. But if he's too ill to do that, then Dartz and his family will always manage it for him," he looked disgusted at the thought, but it was the truth.
Yugi looked mad "But how can he do that! Yami's a person!"
Atem put his calming hands on Yugi's shoulders, unlike Yami he knew boundaries and yet he was so confident within them. He squeezed gently "There are some bad people in the world, Yugi. But as long as there are good people like you to fight them, then people like Yami have a chance," he explained.
Yugi blinked, the cats and hawk all looked at him expectantly. Atem chuckled "Even these guys know it," he stroked a friendly feline "They know you're going to help him, just like you helped that secret garden."
Yugi perked up a little "Is it still growing? Are the flowers out yet?" he asked, Atem had been looking after it when Yugi couldn't.
Atem stood up and pulled Yugi to his feet "Come, see for yourself," he laughed, pulling the younger along behind him, slowly breaking into a run.
Yugi laughed, carefree and happy, grass under his feet, cats and hawk following with cries for their humans to slow down. Atem and Yugi stopped at the wall and glanced around to make sure no one was there, then slipped under and unlocked the hidden door under the vines and roses.
Yugi stepped into the hidden place and gasped in amazement, everything was just about to bloom, it was like they were waiting for something. It was all so green, the small fountain they cleaned out was flowing, filling the air with a pleasant water sound. The little stream that went to the river from the fountain fed most of the plants, there were a few pots handy for when water needed to be scooped to tend the plants further way.
Yugi smiled around at it, it wasn't big, not compared to the thirty feet lawns and other things gardens. It was ten by ten, with irregular walls filled with little nooks and crannies that somehow spawned unusual and beautiful flower buds. The lawn wasn't overgrown anymore, the trees shaded areas so it looked secret and shielded from the outside.
Yugi sighed "I'll never get used to this," he smiled, he always wanted to be hypnotised by the beauty of it. The cats purred and rubbed at their feet. Atem smiled down at him gently, lovingly, the hawk sitting on his shoulder and watching knowingly.
Yugi's life split into three distinct sections: One, living out in the sun and gardens with Atem. Two, creeping into the dark, hidden room to talk to Yami, they soon became as close as Yugi was with Atem. Three, playing the good meek little boy to the household servants, and Dartz.
Yugi really wanted Yami to get better, to be strong and to go outside. Yami admitted he wanted that too, but he'd never walked and Yugi wasn't strong enough to carry him up the stairs, the servants were no help either; Dartz's orders were to keep him in bed for his health.
Yugi leaned against the boarded up windows and said "Would you like to see the sun?"
Yami was watching him calmly "Yes …" he sighed, wondering what Yugi looked like in the sun, what it felt like on his skin, or to see.
Yugi put a hand on the windows "Maybe Atem and I … we could pull these down from the outside … what do you think?"
Yami sat up, thinking hard "That's very strong wood, it hasn't needed any maintenance over the years … it might work, is Atem strong?" he asked.
Yugi nodded "He carried me all the way back to the house when I fell asleep in our secret garden," he had told Yami all about it, Yami wished he could go there, it had belonged to his Mother before she died. Yugi had told him that it had been locked and left for dead, but then he'd found the door and cracked the code that released the key. The code was to slide bits of wood along and around until they made an upside down pyramid shape with an eye.
Yami thought about it then said "Try, but don't get hurt, open the window before you do it so you can climb in …" he looked excited but nervous. Yugi smiled nicely, it would be scary to him, he'd never seen outside, it was unknown to him, new … new was scary, unknown was scary.
Yugi unlatched a window and put a bit of cloth in it to keep it open. "There, I'll do it tomorrow," he promised, then dived under the bed as someone came in.
Dartz walked in with two other maids "Master Yami? The new machine is here,"
Yami made a face "I don't want it, thank you," he said, but already the maids were pulling back the covers to reveal his too thin legs.
Dartz sighed and moved the metal paddles to the warm water, to make sure that the cold didn't put him off. "You need it for your circulation, now stop complaining, your Father left me in charge of your health, so you have to behave," he lectured, finally putting the paddles on his calves. "Turn the handle one of you," he ordered.
Yugi winced as a rickety handle was turned, then stifled a gasp as Yami cried out slightly at the electric shock. The treatment lasted several minutes until Dartz deemed him circulated, then packed up and left.
Yugi crawled out and saw Yami looking sad and angry. There were sore looking patches on the skin of his legs and they kept twitching as if in aftershocks. Yugi wiped his large eyes and put a hand on Yami's. Yami didn't move for a moment, then held his hand back. "I'm sorry you had to hear that …" he said at last.
Yugi sobbed and held him tight "Oh Yami … " how cruel, why are they so cruel to you? Yami leaned into his hold and smiled slightly, his smile stayed until Yugi had to go …
Yugi and Atem climbed up to Yami's windows, only one story up. Atem was looking forwards to the adventure, he tied rope onto the wood, Yugi knocking loudly to let Yami know that this was it. Atem smiled at Yugi "You really care about him to risk your neck like this," he commented, a little jealous.
Yugi blushed "I'd do the same for you," he said honestly, his eyes suddenly very interested in the rope he held.
Atem smiled and then threw the rope down before sliding down it. Yugi moved to a safe part of the ledge and nodded. Atem began to pull, his horse, who had followed him across the river today, pulled too. The rope was attached to his saddle.
Yugi cried out as the wood fell away and revealed the long hidden windows. Atem laughed out loud as their efforts paid off, the windows were intact and Yugi soon cheered in joy. He shuffled across to the lose window and opened it, he climbed through as he shouted to Atem "We did it!"
Atem smirked and began to climb up as well, wanting to see Yami for himself.
Yugi turned to Yami, who was curled up, hands over his eyes in shock, as sunlight burned into him. Yugi rushed over to him and took his hands "Yami, it's the sun, we did it," he whispered reassuringly.
Yami winced as he opened one eye a crack "It's so bright," he murmured. Yugi smiled, letting Yami shield his face while he blinked his eyes slowly open.
Yugi looked outside and saw Atem's head poke through the window, he winked at Yugi charmingly then swung himself into the room. "Hey, mind if I join you?" he asked.
Yami jumped a little "Who's that?" he asked, squinting as Atem was still in the bright light of day.
Yugi gently lowered his hands, "This is Atem, Atem this is Yami."
Atem walked over silently and took one of Yami's hands "Nice to meet you, Yugi's told me all about you," he chuckled.
Yami smiled up at him "Nice to meet you too," he greeted, holding his hand back.
Yugi sighed, he was glad that they were getting along, and then pointed to the window, "Look Yami, look outside."
Yami looked, even though his eyes watered and he blinked a lot "It's …" he just stared. Yugi waited for his response, Atem still held Yami's hand. Yami relaxed, simply looking at the blue sky and distant dunes "It's better than I imagined," he admitted, wiping his eyes bashfully.
Yugi rubbed at an eye too, feeling a little emotional. Atem just smiled.
"You!"
The three boys gasped, Dartz glared down at them, three shocked and worried maids and servants behind him. Dartz marched down the staircase and looked at the window in horror. "Who opened these? What are you doing here?" he shouted.
Yugi cringed behind Atem in fright, Atem held him protectively.
Dartz growled and stormed over, grabbing Yugi's arm and twisting it as he tried to get Yugi out of Atem's hold. Yugi cried out and struggled, Atem shoved and tried to get him off. Yami thought fast and reached under his pillow and brought out his thick book, he leaned over the bed, nearly falling out, and slammed it down onto Dartz's foot.
Dartz yelped and let Yugi go.
Yami fell out of bed with a pained grunt. Yugi at once dropped and helped him sit up. Atem wanted to help, but was more worried about Dartz.
Yami sat up with his hand to support him and shouted "Leave him alone!"
Dartz stopped hopping on his foot to stare at Yami. "Young Master …" he whispered in shock. Yami had never stood up to him before …
Yami glared "Leave them alone, they're my friends, I asked them to open the window, since someone else hasn't been doing what I asked," he announced, not feeling weak for a moment, his arms didn't shake and neither did his glare.
Dartz blinked then took a step back, seeing that there was nothing he could do with witnesses. Yami was clearly not as sick as he had made out. He looked at the window and saw his work ruined, he slowly pulled away and said "You're not doing yourself any favours Master Yami," he stated.
Yami just glared "I don't care, I had to see the sun," he shot back. Atem turned to him and knelt by them too. Yami pointed up at the doors "Dartz, you may go. I want to be alone with Yugi and Atem," he declared.
Dartz blinked then nodded, seeing that the maids were in shock and Atem was strong. "Very well," he agreed snippily "I'll go. If only to stop you from vexing yourself further," he added, leading the maids out in a quick and angry march.
Yami relaxed once they had gone and looked at Yugi "Yugi? Are you hurt?" he asked, touching the abused elbow.
Yugi looked at it and gasped, the skin red and blotchy. Atem gently held his arm up to examine "It's going to bruise," he admitted after a quick inspection.
Yugi rubbed it shyly "It doesn't matter, it'll heal …" he blushed as the two teens worried over him.
Yami looked back at the window and asked "Atem? Do you think you could bring me to the window?" it was such a small patch of outside, he wanted to see more.
Atem smirked "Why not?" he laughed, picking Yami up as easily as Yugi. "Ra you're light," he exclaimed in shock "Do you have bones at all?" he teased, but his teasing tone was masked by a slightly worried undertone, this boy could not be healthy.
Yami blinked in shock.
Yugi giggled "I told you he was thin."
Atem put Yami down by the window seat and said "All bones no meat," he leaned out of the window and whistled sharply. His horse trotted off, trained to know what the whistle meant. Atem didn't want his horse taken as another's.
Yami stared "What's that?"
Atem stared at him in shock. Yugi cut in before Atem could blunder again "It's a horse, like the one in your book," he said, poking Atem to remind him of Yami's locked up nature.
Yami sighed "That's how they move. Is he yours?" he asked Atem.
Atem nodded "Found him as a buck. I heard neighing in the sands one day, and I didn't see where it was coming from. So I looked, and looked, and looked," he stressed, making his audience laugh a little. Atem grinned "Then I found the little guy, he lost his Mother and herd, so I took him home and raised him myself."
"Wow," Yugi sighed dreamily.
Yami smiled at Yugi's face. He turned to the outside again before Yugi noticed "You know … maybe I'm not sick," he thought aloud.
Atem laughed "I don't see how if you can manage a yell that loud," he pointed out. Dartz must have had a shock, Atem had. His voice had nearly bowled him over with sheer volume.
Yugi nodded at Atem's thoughts "You're just weak," he agreed.
Yami breathed in the fresh air like a starving man eating his food, savouring it, but it never seemed enough. It was so special to him. He closed his eyes and let the wind move his hair "Maybe … maybe I could go outside, and I could see your garden," he murmured.
Yugi looked at Atem pleadingly. Atem nodded, not needing any persuasion. "That sounds like a great idea." Yami looked at them in shock and made Atem laugh, "You're cute when you're surprised."
Yami blushed and looked away "I never imagined that …"
Atem put an arm around Yugi "Well you have this little angel here to thank, and the gods for sending him to us," he said, making Yugi blush adorably.
Yami smiled "You're right."
Yugi hid his face, "Iie! Stop embarrassing me!" he wailed.
Yugi peered around the corner of the corridor and nodded over his shoulder "All clear, come on," he whispered, gesturing madly.
Atem poked his head out of his hiding place and then nodded. He disappeared for a second then reappeared with Yami in his wheeling chair. Dartz was away today, so the three decided to sneak Yami outside, his windows were always open, even in the rain now. Yami wanted to experience it all.
Yami couldn't sit still, he kept twitching and trying to look around corners before he even got there. Atem grabbed the back of his shirt as he leaned too far yet again "Hey, sit still for a minute, the outside isn't going anywhere," he playfully scolded.
Yami smiled bashfully "I just can't wait!" he admitted, leaning forwards more carefully this time.
Atem smiled "You'll be out and running in no time."
Yami looked up at him "Run? You think I could?" he asked, sounding amazed, doubtful and yet hopeful.
Atem shrugged, his carelessly handsome smile still there "You've got legs like everybody else haven't you?" the tanned one pointed out, wheeling the lighter man with ease.
Yami looked at his legs, covered in a blanket, "I suppose … but they're so thin and weak," he murmured sadly. Atem tilted his head and didn't say anything. Soon they were at the front doors. Yugi opened a servants door and they all stepped into the early dawn.
Yami looked around like a child at a fair for the first time. He twisted as much as he could in his seat, reached out to touch and his eyes were always wide. Yugi smiled, he was happy Yami was finally getting his wish. He took his hand "Come on, the garden's waiting," he skipped ahead.
Yami smiled at him and sighed.
Atem looked down and smiled as Sharp-eye landed on his shoulder "You like him don't you?"
Yami jumped and blushed a bit "Yeah …"
Atem nodded and looked a little sad as he pushed onwards "He likes you too you know," he commented blankly, feeling a little jealous but unable to hate the man he was helping either. He settled for just feeling sad.
Yami shook his head "You haven't heard how he talks about you, you're the one he likes, trust me," he assured him.
Atem smirked "Then maybe he likes neither of us, he speaks about you in a special way too," he confided. Yami smiled and laughed a little, Atem joined in "What a mess we're in," he muttered without malice.
Yami looked up at Atem "But I wouldn't change anything," he promised.
Yugi looked back at them and gasped as he saw them exchanging secret smiles and whispers. He slowed down and felt a light and heavy tug and lift-pull at his heart. They like each other … he thought. He looked away as they approached the garden. He stopped in front of the vines. I like them … so I'll be happy for them. He decided generously.
Yami looked up and saw Yugi waiting by a wall surrounded by creepers.
Yugi smiled at Yami's excited face "We're here," he parted the leaves "I wonder if the flowers will bloom today," he murmured to himself.
Atem pushed Yami's chair through, with some difficulty, but Yugi helped. Yami had his eyes closed to make the view more of a surprise. When they came to a stop in the middle of the small secret garden Yami opened his eyes.
All three looked around in wonder, the early morning light filtered into the garden and the flower buds finally open and bloomed. Yami stared in awe, Yugi sat down beside him and looked around with the same expression. A drop of water hit his hand, making him jump. He looked up and saw Yami's eyes leaking tears.
"Yami? Are you alright?" Yugi asked worriedly.
Yami rubbed at his eyes and looked around again "Yes …" he croaked. "It's just so beautiful, all of it … I never imagined it was all here …" he whispered, simply overwhelmed with it all.
Yugi held him gently "They're blooming for you, all these flowers. We've waited weeks, and they opened for you," he explained. Atem nodded with a proud smile, his pets appearing from the undergrowth like shadows.
The three spent all day laying in the grass, playing with the cats and kittens, talking, until Yami said "I have to come back here." The other two looked at him curiously as he paused, Yami smiled at the sky "I'm going to come here when Dartz is gone for the day, and the next day, and the next day."
Atem grinned "Of course," he promised.
Yugi sat up and stretched, giggling as the kittens mewed at his movements "We'd better be getting back," he said sadly "If Dartz finds out about this place …" he trailed off and the other two quickly agreed.
Yami was smuggled in, Dartz remaining unaware of his adventure, and the teens all looked forwards to Dartz's day off. When the next day came they brought Yami back to the garden and sat in the sun again.
Atem had found a little lamb and was caring for it. Yami, sitting on a carpet smiled as it bleated loudly yet again, almost whining. "What's he doing?" Yami asked, watching as Atem pulled out a small pouch.
"He's hungry," Atem explained, laughing as the lamb tried to eat a bit of his shirt. "He wants his Mother, but she has twins to look after, so I said I'd raise him." He put the pouch onto the floor and pulled out a small bowl for the milk. "Here you, you're not going to grow much eating my shirt," he joked, putting the lambs head near the bowl.
Yugi smiled as it started eating, the lamb wasn't walking yet, he was only a few days old. Yugi reached out and felt his woolly coat "He's very little, will he be alright?" he asked.
Atem nodded, taking the milk away so the lamb didn't make himself sick, he set the little guy on his feet and steadied him as he tried to stand "Watch," he told Yugi.
Yugi sat up and a bright smile crossed his face as the lamb took a few clumsy steps before collapsing back to his sitting position. Yugi giggled and leaned down as the lamb nibbled at his bangs "No, no," he cooed "Don't eat me."
Yami was smiling widely at Yugi's happiness, then his thoughts returned to walking … he looked at his thin and useless legs and awkwardly moved then so the soles rested on the floor. He turned to Atem and got his attention "Atem, help me?" he asked.
Atem blinked then saw what he was doing and grinned, seeming as happy as when the lamb was walking "Sure, hang on," he warned, pulling Yami upright and taking most of his weight off of him.
Yami's legs barely supported him, he clung to Atem like a child would to an adult's leg, gasping and biting his lip whenever he wobbled dangerously.
Yugi was watching with wide eyes.
Atem took a step and forced Yami to move his legs to keep upright. Yami glared at Atem, who just grinned innocently then did it again. Yami moved his feet and legs slowly, stiffly, and completely ungracefully, like a child attempting it for the first time. He lost balance a lot, and never let Atem go the entire time.
Yugi stood up and ran to catch them up, he stood before Yami and walked backwards "You're walking Yami!" he gasped happily.
Yami stared … before looked back at his feet and smiling. He looked up at Yugi and reached out a hand, Yugi opened his arms and stood a few feet away "Come on, I'm here," he encouraged "You can do it," he told him.
Yami reached out with one hand, the other hesitating on Atem's shoulder. Atem slowly let him go, and he took his full weight for a moment. Yami's knees buckled and he clumsily fell forwards into Yugi's arms.
Yugi caught him and helped him back up "Nearly, don't give up," he told him, blushing as their faces were close together.
"Okay, I'll try again," Yami agreed, his face determined yet bright. He looked back at Atem and made a single perfect step … before falling again.
Atem caught him and messed his hair playfully "That's it!" he laughed "Just like the little lamb," he nodded. Yugi looked at the baby and saw that it was doing the same, staggering along, falling over, getting back up again. He giggled in delight and held his arms open for Yami again.
Three weeks after that day Yami was walking. He was stiff, and he tired very quickly, but he never wanted to sit down. One day, when Atem was sitting in a corner trying to cox a bird down from a tree the teen turned to Yugi and asked "Are you doing this?"
Yugi looked up from his picnic that he'd packed for the day, he smiled kindly at Yami "No, you are."
Yami smiled and looked at his legs, the muscles were aching, but he didn't care, it felt good. The ache was different from when Dartz used the machine on him, it hurt, but it was a different kind of hurt. He felt proud of it. Yami smiled "You must be doing something, everything you touch you change for the better, me, Atem's loneliness, the garden … you're magic, you're making the world magic," he insisted.
Yugi blushed and shook his head "It's all you, you're the special one …" he turned away "You're making me blush …" he complained.
Yami shuffled over and hugged him from behind "You're cute when you blush," he teased.
Yugi giggled and got out of his grip, he stood up and backed away playfully "Come get me!" he laughed and hid behind a rose bush.
Yami laughed too, he got up and walked quickly over to him, he was trying to run now. It was getting easier. Atem smiled at them and joined in after putting the baby birds back in their nests, he tagged Yami and pulled faces to make him chase faster. Whenever he fell down he just laughed and got up again, the lamb could walk and he was only a few weeks old, he was seventeen and he wasn't going to give up.
Dartz moved quickly along to Yami's room and opened the doors, his maids holding the machine and bringing a tub of water and some ice. He blinked when he saw the young master, he was sitting upright, reading a book, but seemed … different.
His skin wasn't as pale looking, his posture was more relaxed, his body wasn't shaking with weakness, his dinner plate was completely empty, and had been like that for the past month and a half. The book he was reading wasn't his book of the world, it was a love story.
Yami looked up at Dartz as he came in he smiled at the maids and greeted them "Good morning, how are you?"
Dartz walked down the steps, eyeing the room suspiciously. The curtains had been sewn shut on his orders, but the boy seemed … different. "Fine thank you young master. We've got to get your circulation done," he motioned for the maids to get the machine up and ready.
Yami frowned, scooting away from them "No. It hurts me, I don't want it," he curled his legs up close to him as one of the maids tried to move the covers back.
Dartz blinked, he'd never done that before … he pushed the girl out of the way and pulled back the covers. Yami's legs weren't as spindly as before! Dartz knew he had been using them, muscles were there now, there were grazes from falls on his shins and knees, and one look at the soles of his feet told him he had been outside, there were grass stains on them.
Dartz scowled, he knew at once that Yugi was responsible … he grabbed one of his legs and muttered "Just look at these, all swollen and red, the ice now!" he ordered.
Yami's eyes widened, he struggled a little but it was no good. Ice was pressed to his skin, making him gasp and wince at the cold-burn. He grit his teeth and waited it out, knowing that it was no use fighting once the treatments had started.
Dartz nodded and then ordered the machine to be used, he left the room as the maids got to work. Dartz marched to Yugi's room and slammed his door open.
Yugi jumped, he had been playing chess with a servant. The servant jumped up and bowed. Dartz ordered him out and then shut the door, Yugi stood up warily, his body telling him to run. The man glared at Yugi "You've been taking Yami outside." he stated.
Yugi gasped but didn't answer, his heart was in his mouth. Dartz reached out and grasped Yugi's shirt, pulling him off the floor and shouting "You're killing him! If that brat gets better all I've worked for is gone! He's a very sick boy!"
Yugi trembled at his anger and tried to fight his hand off, "He's not sick! He's getting better! You're suffocating him in that room! He needs the sun!" Yugi shouted back, sounding a lot braver than what he felt.
Dartz saw red … slapped him.
Yugi gasped, his cheek stinging. But that was only the start. Dartz shouted and hit and punched the poor boy until he couldn't cry out any louder than a whimper. Finally Yugi was left alone, bruised and bloodied, Dartz leaving him with the threat that if he went near Yami again he'd kill him.
Yugi just lay still, his body hurting and protesting against any movement whatsoever. Yugi stayed still until he felt a little stronger, the sun was about to set now, and partly crawled and partly walked till he was outside. He wandered drunkenly, whimpering and crying in pain until he couldn't force himself on.
He collapsed in the middle of a lawn and stayed still, inhaling the smells of the earth and feeling the lush, cool, green grass pressing into his weary body. Yugi looked around as much as he was able and whimpered a little, Atem … please help me …
After a short wait a large bird landed in front of him, Yugi looked up at the bird, worried that it was a vulture. But to his relief it was Sharp-Eye. Yugi felt tears of relief. "Sharp-Eye," he whispered, reaching out a hand to pet his proud feathered head, the bird looked down at him with one beady eye. Yugi smiled "Can you find Atem? I need help," he croaked.
The bird cooed a little then flew up into the night sky. Yugi closed his eyes and recovered, breathing in the healing earth. It made Yami well, it set legends of health in his lost home village, maybe it could heal him now …
Yugi didn't hear the footsteps that came up to him, so he jumped at the feeling of gentle arms rolling him over. Yugi looked up and smiled in relief when Atem looked down half worried, half angry. Yugi whimpered and reached out to him, wanting to be warm and protected in the night.
Atem pulled Yugi close and lifted him up, all the while not speaking a word, for some reason words weren't always needed with Atem. Yugi was glad of it, his bruised and screamed-raw throat wasn't up to much talking. He leaned into Atem's arms and let the man take him to their hidden haven.
Atem placed Yugi onto the grass and carefully got him out of his shirt so he could see the damage. Yugi's pale skin was marred with a collection of bruises and welts. Atem glared angrily at the marks, as if he could frighten them away. "Who did this to you?" he asked softly.
Yugi croaked softly, his voice so weak nothing came of it.
Atem ran a hand over his cheek kindly "Shh … talk when you're well," he soothed, stroking Yugi's hair as if he was one of his kittens, the effect was instant. Yugi closed his eyes and leaned into the touch, relaxing and trusting himself to Atem.
Atem ripped a corner of his shirt and put it into the tiny river that ran through their garden from the fountain, then he gently pressed it against the worst of the bruises, rubbing and massaging them gently to ease the swelling and the pain.
Yugi fell asleep as he was being cared for, giving Atem the option to be a little more through without embarrassing Yugi, luckily Atem found no signs of rape and no worser wounds than what he had already seen. Atem sighed in relief as he realised Yugi was still innocent. He leaned down and kissed his forehead gently. "Poor you, I'll make you well again," he promised before getting up to go visit someone.
Yami jumped as the window was knocked loudly, it was the middle of the night, or really early morning according to his sleepiness levels. Yami glanced around and crept out of bed to go to the door and check on his supposedly 'secret' new watch rounds. Dartz had put them in place this day, something had spooked him.
Yami then went to the window and determinedly ripped the curtains that were sewn together to keep the sun out. He felt a split second of pride as his new muscles achieved a task that was once unthinkable, then he returned to himself. He jumped as Atem's face met him, he breathed a moment to get over the fright then opened the window. "Atem? What are you doing here?" he hissed, worrying that Dartz would turn up, he had an inconvenient habit of doing that when he was least wanted.
Atem put one leg and his torso inside to stop himself falling back down the dark climb, he pulled on Yami's arm "Yugi's hurt," he gasped.
Yami's eyes flew open wide "What!"
Atem nodded and stepped inside as Yami let him in. "I found him in on the lawn, Sharp-Eye lead me to him, I think he was trying to get away from something and find me for help," he explained. "I took him to the garden, he's safe there."
Yami blinked then growled "Dartz …"
Atem nodded as well, fuming inside "I helped Yugi as much as possible, he'll be sore, but I don't think he's hurt badly," he ground out, both men hating that Yugi was hurt anyway. "I don't want him to come back to the house, but he can't live in the garden as it is, could we smuggle some things in and out?" he asked, with a hint of playfulness.
Yami blinked then laughed quietly, covering his mouth to hide his glee. To steal from the man who had brought nearly all of them so much misery was a brilliant idea! Yami nodded "That's easy, he'll give me anything I ask for, I throw it out of the window," he offered.
Atem nodded "Sounds good, come on, you'd better come and see him before he wakes up," he advised. Atem swung himself back out of the window and smirked "Time for your first climbing lesson, and trust me getting up is the harder part," he laughed, making Yami feel slightly nervous.
Yugi slowly felt the sun warm his body as dawn peered over the garden walls. The kittens and ever watchful Sharp-Eye all around him, the lamb eating by the river and the horse Atem raised form a colt grazing by the wall made the garden feel like a haven.
Yugi's eyes slowly fluttered open, reluctant to return to reality when his sleeping, warm state was so much more inviting.
The cats were all cuddling close to the slowly stirring boy, the kittens woke as he unconsciously stretched and moved, they mewed loudly in irritation, losing their sleep and warmth too.
Yugi blinked and slowly sat up, the kittens climbing into his lap to keep warm. Yugi hissed as he moved, his body still sore from the beating. He touched his bruises and found that they were not as painful now. The cats all mewed for attention, Yugi smiled and began to gently pet them, their purring and contentment making him happy too.
The door opened, but Yugi didn't look up, there was no need to look. It was definitely Atem, maybe Yami too, but either way he was safe. No strangers could enter this place.
"Yugi, you've got a visitor," Atem said cheerfully.
Yugi looked up and smiled at once, Yami was standing by Atem on his own, his slightly out of breath so he must have walked from the house, and he and Atem were carrying a few bundles. "Good morning," he said softly, his voice a little grating from the incident.
Yami knelt down, trying to avoid the felines who were trying to climbs up his legs. Yami reached out and touched Yugi's face gently "How are you feeling?" he asked, looking sad.
Yugi smiled a little "I'm feeling better thanks," he looked down and saw fresh burns on Yami's legs from the awful shock machine, and cold burns from the ice "Are you?" he murmured, touching the burns.
Yami made a face at once "Yugi, you're the one who's hurt here, I've lived with this long enough to bare it," he assured him, then turned to the bundles.
Atem sat down, and his animals at once surrounded him with their own affectionate greetings. Yugi thought that Atem looked like some kind of mystical god or wild-man who could talk to the beasts, he reached out to Yugi and put his hands on his bruised visage. "Yugi, tell us who did this," he said firmly, but the voice he used wasn't at all commanding.
Yugi felt that it was more of a plea than an order. He touched the hand that was caressing his bruises "Dartz," he confirmed.
Atem and Yami's eyes darkened as their suspicions were proven right. Atem nodded after letting out a long fuming breath to dispel his anger, "I thought as much," he admitted bluntly, then said even more bluntly "I don't want you to go back to the house Yugi."
Yugi blinked in shock, but Yami was nodding "Me neither, I can't protect you there, neither can the servants and Atem isn't allowed to stay inside unless he's visiting," he pointed out.
Yugi stared at them bother and whispered "Where will I stay?" he whispered, already realising that they would force him if they believed that it was in his best interest. There was no use in fighting them, not to mention Yugi wasn't ready to face Dartz again, not after yesterday.
Atem looked around "Right here," he smiled "Where else is safer?"
Yugi looked surprised "I can't live here," he protested, though it was a lovely thought, "I have no food or water, no bed, clothes-"
Yami put a hand over his mouth "Look here," he smiled, pulling out of the bundles some pillows and blankets, obviously from his own room, mixed in were some clothes and shoes. Yami smiled and pointed to the little alcove that was completely concrete and which only held plants in pots. No soil and the place was square. "I think we could build a small house there, we can grow things in the garden here, water comes from the fountain, and …" he hesitated "Maybe, when it's all ready to be lived in … I could escape too?" he half asked.
Yugi's face lit up at once. "Yes yes! Of course, we could all be here, living on the earth and in this garden … could we really do this?" he asked.
Atem nodded and Yami agreed after a moment "I think we could, I'll steal things from Dartz," he offered.
Atem tapped in "I can get the tools and seeds and things so we can all live here properly."
Yugi looked around and nodded "And I'll get it ready," he finished. It sounded so perfect, so unreally perfect. The gardens surrounding the secret one held food all year round and the kitchens were never really watched during evening so they could take what they wished should they desire treats. Egypt never went too cold, a simple fire could chase the chill away in the cooler months, and a roof could disperse the rains. They had animals to raise and they could find more if they wanted to, and graze them here or outside in the garden paths or on lawns. Sheep and Atem found their ways into the gardens so often that it wouldn't be suspicious at all to have them around a little more.
Yugi looked at the place they'd build their house and said "Feels like a dream."
Yami laughed a little "Now you know how I feel." Atem and Yugi looked at him for a moment before smiling and laughing too.
As the garden grew the three built their new haven, only this time for full time use. Yami threw items out of the window that he figured Yugi could want or need, and only escaped to help himself when Dartz was out for the day.
Atem found a wandering goat and figured, since it was female, they could milk her when she grew into full size. Other times he was caring for Yugi's injuries and helping build the house. The house would be about three by three meters, but they only needed it for three people and they had the gardens to sit about in during the day. Atem was anxious to get it waterproofed for the rainy seasons.
Yugi was meant to sit and recover, but he insisted on helping and so joined Atem building and gardening anyway, it took his mind off of the aching bruises. In two weeks the small house was built. In three it was completely waterproofed, and in four the final inner linings had been hammered into place.
The house was two meters tall, stood on several wooden stilts to keep water from seeping through the floor and rotting the wood. And it only had three walls, the fourth was the front of the house, with some framing about two feet on both walls and the floor and ceiling. There was a large rolled up piece of thick, water proof fabric with they could let hang and attach over the gap, it would also keep the house cool during heat and dry in rain.
The inside looked like a nest. There were piles of pillows with shelves lining the fabric covered walls. the shelves held their food, and personal items and sometimes some napping cats or Sharp-Eye.
Yugi sat at the edge of their home, putting the final touches to a small fire circle, marked by stones like a camp fire, and attempting to light it so he could make a meal. Living in the garden these past four weeks was like four weeks in paradise. He was fully healed and well and soon, as soon as Yami had 'stolen' everything else he thought their life away from Dartz would need, all three would be together in the secret garden.
Yugi sighed, his feelings for them both having grown a lot over these ordeals. After watching them absently for about three days in a row he realised he liked them as more than friends. Both had a firm place and claim on his heart now, but they like each other, not me. Yugi sighed again, but sadly this time.
Atem leaned out of the house as Yugi sighed. "What's wrong Yugi?" he asked.
Yugi smiled up at Atem "Oh nothing …" he tried to pass off.
Atem looked less than impressed, he sat beside him and turned his face to look at him properly "Tell me," he half ordered half requested.
Yugi looked away with his eyes, since his head was securely trapped between Atem's hands, one on each cheek. Yugi was quiet for a while, until he remembered that Atem was endlessly patient, patient enough to tame wild horses and cats, and he'd not give up until he had an answer. Yugi glanced back at Atem and said "I'm torn. My heart's torn," he admitted at last.
Atem let him go slowly "Between what?" Yugi didn't answer. Atem glanced up as Yami entered the garden and discretely held a hand up in a silent command for him to stay, he put a finger to his lips and then asked Yugi "Or is it, your heart's torn between to someone's?"
Yugi looked up at Atem with a slack jaw "Wha- H-how did you …" he trailed off as he realised he had admitted to it, he blushed and looked down. "Y-yeah … two people."
Atem smiled and gestured for Yami to come closer but quietly. "Who? Myself? Yami?"
Yugi blushed at both names "I … it's, er, well …" he stuttered, not sure how to continue. "D-don't you love each other? I saw you together …" he murmured.
Atem smirked and put a hand on top of Yugi's "I like Yami," he admitted, watching as Yami's eyes widened in the background. "But I also like you, you're both important to me," he assured the two.
Yugi smiled and said "Me too … but about you and Yami," he corrected.
"I'm glad." Yugi nearly jumped into Atem's lap in fright as Yami's happy voice came from just behind him.
"Ah! Um … h-how long …"
Yami just grinned and put his arms around the two of them "Long enough," he half laughed then just smiled "I feel the same, but about you two."
Yugi gasped a little then just smiled. How wonderful. So perfect, but … Yugi reached up and shook his head with his smile still in place "Now I know I'm dreaming. But this dream is so real," he said out loud, the earth, the air, the garden, even Yami's arms.
Yami laughed and leaned into Yugi, making him rock into Atem a little, who playfully pushed back with his own weight. Yami squeezed them both slightly "This is real," he assured Yugi "Can't you feel it?" Then he snorted again "Get the feeling of switched déjà vu?" he asked.
Yugi snorted a second later, realising what he meant. "A little bit," he agreed, then planted a quick kiss on each man's cheek before slipping out of their grasps and beginning a game of chase around the garden. They forgot about lunch, and about every day cares. They were happy and in love and had their love returned. What else could they truly need?
Finally they collapsed and lay in a heap in the middle of the garden, occasionally giggling or kissing, but mostly just staying together. Yugi sighed and looked up at the sky. I wish these happy days could last forever. Just us and the earth …
Dartz stared out of the window to his office worriedly. It had been several months since Yugi disappeared, though that brat wasn't the main cause for his concerns. It was only six weeks ago that Yami had also vanished. Dartz had been noticing that the inventory had been depleting for a while, off things like spoons and plates unaccounted for, but things went missing all the time. Then pillows, rugs, pans, mirrors, a kettle, matches and a few other things had followed. And finally, just as Dartz was considering searching all servant's rooms for the stolen items, Yami himself vanished.
Now Dartz was in a panic. The master would return any day now, he had sent an message saying he'd be back earlier than normal, and that he wanted to see his son. And Dartz couldn't play dumb if the boy was gone! He'd be fired, and the fortune he was promised wouldn't go anywhere near his family!
Gardeners swore they'd seen Yami outside, and some had even said they saw the ghost of Yugi, since everyone knew how badly Dartz had taken his anger out on him by the blood the maids had to clear up the next day. When Dartz had tried to question Atem on where they were he simply ran through the gardens and vanished.
The household was skittish, and spooked, and Dartz was losing his grip on keeping everything controlled.
Suddenly Aknamkanon burst into the room, looking his serious but also spooked self.
Dartz jumped up "M-Master! You're early," he squeaked in panic.
Aknamkanon nodded and hurriedly put up his coat "I had a horrible premonition Dartz, and I couldn't stay away a moment longer. My son was in the garden with his Mother, the boy I'm sponsoring and that wandering child, they were all so happy. But then shadows came and swallowed my wife, turned Yugi into a dying rose and the wandering boy into bones. Yami … he was dragged him into his room by the shadows, and he withered before my eyes …" the shaken man shuddered. "I have to see him. If I don't then I'll never be free of that nightmare."
Dartz bit his lip and said "Sir, you have to send that sponsored child away, he's killing your son. Making him believe he's getting better when all he's encouraging is over exerting himself, some sad and horrible far away belief that pain makes you stronger," he lied, hoping to pin the blame on this brat and get away with it.
Aknamkanon shook his head, frustrated and confused "Just take me too him," he ordered.
Dartz began a quick walk "He's unruly and has not heeded my instructions or warnings, I've had to lock him up and keep him out all day to give the young Master some peace," he rambled, then entered Yami's room. "Young Master, you're Father's here."
Aknamkanon looked over the indoor balcony, expecting to see his weak and sickly looking son looking up at him, but instead was only sheets, left from when someone had risen. The Father stared in horror then rounded on Dartz "Where is my son?" he demanded.
Dartz leaned away in fear and looked around "He's … he's … that boy!" he hissed at last, acting very well. He looked over his shoulder "This way Master, I know who's responsible." He unlocked Yugi's door, locked so the servants could never tidy it up and see what he had done.
Aknamkanon raised an eyebrow "You locked him in?"
Dartz sighed "That's how wild he is," he insisted then entered "Yugi? The Master wants to see you," he called, but the bed was unslept in and the room still was wrecked and there was blood on the floor.
Aknamkanon looked at the mess in shock "What happened?" he whispered, then he spotted the bloody footsteps leading out of the room, very petite feet, too large to be Yami's or Dartz's, also was the bloody shape of someone who'd been covered in blood where they had tripped and fell.
"Um, excuse me sir?" a timid voice said.
Aknamkanon looked and saw a young girl, a scullery maid at best as she was very young; blond pigtails and large blue eyes. He nodded at her to encourage her to speak.
The girl cringed from Dartz and said "P-perhaps he's in the garden?" she had been the one to clean up the footsteps out of the kitchen to the gardens. She knew what had happened all the way up until Yugi's vanishing.
Aknamkanon blinked then gasped slightly. Her garden? No, I locked the door … they can't be … he marched past her and Dartz, though the man tried to call his attention back.
As the proud man walked towards his wife's old private garden he heard the wonderful sound of children, teenagers, laughing and joking. He slowed as he took in the sound, the noise he'd never heard before, his son had never laughed. Was that Yami's voice? Yugi was there too, and a stranger … the wandering child?
The Father moved to the secret door and just as he was about to push it open a young man ran into him. Aknamkanon held the boy in shock and stared as a miracle and an impossible dream looked him back in the face.
"F-father?"
Yugi smiled from his spot surrounded by cats, the little animals practically climbing him for attention. Yami and Atem were having a game of throw and catch, Yami enjoyed that because he used all his body to catch as Atem wasn't very coordinated with his throws, and it was just plain fun to see Atem dive for some of his trick throws.
Yugi smiled while he watched Yami. He was healthy now, his body muscled, but not overly so. He looked normal, as if he'd never been locked away and treated so badly. The burns on his legs had healed and scabbed and scarred, his skin gained a slight tan, making it slowly change from white to a light fawn. His eyes were alive and his smile made him seem so alive, unlike the sad ones from before, those were the eyes of a resigned prisoner. He was free now. Life in the garden had made him well.
Atem had grown too. He was not lonely, and very open, even letting his guard down enough for his new lovers to see his hidden adorable side. Yugi had nearly smothered him when he pouted, saying he looked so cute. Also his slightly clumsy side, since he always moved so slowly with the animals around, and with his hands sitting still, it was charming to see how human and unbalanced he looked during long runs and games such as this.
Atem yelled in triumph as he held up the ball, which was just a stone wrapped in several layers of fabric, pleased he had gotten one at last. "Got it!" he cheered, sitting up to throw it back at Yami, who also had to dive for the clumsy throw.
Yugi giggled at their antics, making the two older teens turn to him for a moment. Yugi had changed too, he was a lot happier, the sadness of losing his family wasn't gone, but it was fading from grief to miss. He had something to live for, he had a home again, he had purpose, all when he was under Dartz's rules were not available to him.
Atem smiled and got up to catch again "Come on Yami, that limp's not that bad," he winked.
Yami blushed a little then threw the ball hard at him in playful anger "Oh really? Last I recall you said you never wanted to move again," he teased back.
Yugi giggled "Excuse me, your both didn't go for five rounds," he shot back at them.
The two eldest sheepishly grinned. "When you passed out we had another few tries so-"
"Shut up and catch!" Atem interrupted and threw long. Yami scrambled for a foothold and ran after it, only to stop as it sailed over the wall. Atem frowned "Damn, I thought I was getting better."
Yami jogged over and kissed his cheek as he headed for the door "You'll get better soon," he encouraged, smiling at Atem's pleasantly shocked face, hearing Yugi's laugh. "You are a cutie sometimes Atem," he laughed as he ruffled Yugi's hair then ducked out under the door, only to bump into a hard chest.
Yami was steadied by strong, warm and yet trembling arms. Arms that shook as if they were holding something so precious it would break should he hold too tightly. Yami looked up and gasped. "F-Father?"
Aknamkanon stared down at his son in pure shock. If he had been any older or weaker in heart, it would have stopped from the shock. His son, walking, healthy, smiling and … alive, here in his arms. His vision swam as tears ran down his cheeks "Yami," he gasped out. His son staring in just as much shock, "Your … how?" the man gasped at last.
Yami smiled at last and said "It was Yugi. He brought me here, he made me well again, and this garden … it's like magic. I'm not ill Father, not at all. I'm going to live," his grin threatened to split his face towards the end, it was to genuine and wide. But at the sight of his Father's steady tears his smile faltered "Aren't you happy Father?" he asked worriedly "I'm going to live just like anyone else."
Finally the Father placed a hand on Yami's shoulder, staring into the face that reminded him so much, yet so little, of his late wife. "Very glad … it's all I've ever wanted for you," he admitted and then drew Yami into a hug. "I never thought … they told me you were too ill, I couldn't lose you too, not after your Mother died to give you life …" he gasped as his tears threatened to choke him. "Forgive me son, forgive me."
Yami hesitantly held the man back and then relaxed, knowing exactly how he felt because he had done the same with Yugi, locked him away so he'd be safe. He knew that Yugi had agreed and that it was not really the prison his room had been, but he couldn't bring himself to hate the man who'd done it out of fear and love. "I forgive you," he said at last, the earth seeming to sigh around them in the wind. Eventually he stepped away and pulled on his hand "Come on, come see the garden, Yugi and Atem will wonder where I am. They're my lovers Dad, I hope you don't mind-"
Aknamkanon chuckled "How could I deny you anything?" he smiled and let Yami pull him through the hidden door.
Yugi looked up and blinked in shock "Mr Sennen!"
Atem gasped just behind him, the two surrounded in cats.
Yami was smiling and holding his hand "Dad found us," he smiled "I told him what you did Yugi, and about us."
Yugi relaxed a little "Y-yes sir," he murmured, seeming meek and scared again.
Aknamkanon was looking around at the garden in wonder, the place was flourishing and alive and awake, the only thing that had changed was the small house now sitting in one corner. It seemed these three lived here.
He looked at his son and the others in confusion "Do you live here?" he asked. Atem nodded silently, his hands on Yugi's shoulders, he seemed hesitant or edgy. But he had been when he had first met Yugi. It seemed he had to warm to people to fully welcome them into his life, though Yugi could tell just by the steady holding of his gaze into Aknamkanon's that he respected the man.
"Why? Is there something wrong with the house?" asked the Fatherly figure worriedly.
Yugi at once covered the only scar he's carried from the attack, on his elbow. Atem covered his hand gently, knowing Yugi still had nightmares about the attack. Yami answered when his Father looked worried "Dartz hurt Yugi, and he's been hurting me for years," he added softly.
Aknamkanon looked horrified, he looked between the two and finally too his son by the shoulders and gasped "What was he doing to you?" still glancing between them, expecting both to answer him.
Yami pulled up his trouser leg and showed off the numerous burn and cold burn scars that he had from Dartz's treatments "He always claimed it was to help me, but it hurt so much … When Yugi started to help me heal, making me walk and sneaking me outside with Atem, Dartz realised he was making me better and attacked him," he shivered, still hating how broken Yugi had looked that night, how hurt and weak. It made him always want to protect him.
Yugi nodded as Yami finished explaining "W-when that happened, we decided to run away. We were safe here," he murmured, the garden was hidden from anyone who could hurt them, and so they were too. They protected the garden, and the garden protected them.
Aknamkanon glanced between his healthy son, the boy he had sponsored from Japan, and the wandering child. They didn't seem to be hurting anything, they didn't need discipline, if anything they seemed to require confidence building. They needed to know they were loved and safe … was that why they ran here?
Atem spoke suddenly, his deep yet calming voice making everyone jump a little "Dartz never wanted your son to live, he was never going to help him get better. You promised him your wealth if Yami was too sick to take it for himself," he took Yami's hand and squeezed it comfortingly "He took it into his own hands to ensure that his desired outcome came true."
Yugi stood up and hugged Yami, who was looking a little pale, and cuddled into his side when Yami held him back.
Aknamkanon saw how the three interacted, as if they had all been hurt once and needed each other to keep going. He knew that he'd never force them apart, he worried it would shatter them all. Then his eyes hardened "I'm sending Dartz away, and I'm going to cut him out of the will for good, even if something happens the family fortune won't he his," he decided, making the three smile.
The Father knelt down, getting surrounded in Atem's pets the moment he was comfortable, and put a hand on Yugi and Atem's shoulders "I won't force you to leave here if you don't wish to. But you're always welcome to come back to the house, I want you to feel safe, and I promise to take care of you all. Yami?" he turned to his son and put a hand on his shoulder "I'm so sorry for everything … if your Mother was here she'd been hitting me for letting this happen. I swear I'll never abandon you again."
Yami smiled, his red eyes tearing up a little and then he talked his old man in a hug, laughing and crying at the same time. "It doesn't matter anymore," he smiled then jumped up "Come on! I want to give Dartz a heart attack when he sees me walking," he laughed, his eyes now alight with mischief.
Atem and Yugi laughed. Atem helped Yugi up and at once a large bird came to sit on his shoulder. Atem nodded at Sharp-Eye before putting an arm around Yami's waist "Heart attack? He'll drop dead at the sight of you walking," he chuckled.
Yami snorted "I wish."
Yugi smiled at their playful jokes and even offered a few himself, but as they exited the garden he hung back and looked behind him at the door which sealed itself shut, the leaver that held it open moved back to keep it hidden again.
The smell of the earth, the roses, the damp soil by the stream, the grass and all the living flowers in the garden washed over him from behind the wall. It almost seemed like a goodbye. I'll come back here, Yugi promised silently, but then heard the soft chuckle of a women, it came from over the wall.
Yugi quickly opened the door and stared inside to see a group of adults sharing a picnic together on the mat he had sat on only moments before. He saw his Mother smiling in his Father's arms, his Grandfather standing since his back wouldn't allow him to sit on the ground, and a strange lady with Red hair and golden bangs and tips. They all looked over at Yugi and raised their hands as if waving, a scent of the earth, the sweetest flowers, and of life form soil rushed over Yugi like a wave from them.
Yugi blinked … and they were gone.
It was a goodbye, he realised, he had done what they wished of him. He'd helped the garden to grow, and he had healed Yami and his Father. Yugi smiled, peace settling into his eyes and heart.
"Hey Yugi?"
Yugi turned and smiled brightly at the three who had come back to see him, they blinked at the peace and acceptance that covered Yugi's face and aura. Yugi raised a hand too and giggled, pulling the leaver to shut the door again "Coming!" he half shouted and half sang, before running barefoot over the grass and soil.
There we are! If you haven't guessed this is based on the Secret Garden movie. I like that one, but there are several things that I would have changed about it and have done here. I hope that you all like it, and I'm sorry for being out of action for so long. I had a rest then fell out of practice, but I'm back now :)
This theme was hard to end, but I think that it's done.
Next chapter - Loud
