DS: Yes... I changed my name. In all honesty, I had this username many, many years ago... and now, I wanted to use it again. -sighs- Hope this doesn't confuse anyone! I am still the same writer, just in case anyone thought I was someone else stealing the story or somethin'... but, I'm sure you'll be able to tell with the writing. -chuckles sheepishly-
Anywho, to all my dear reviewers; I am so blessed to have your support! You guys keep with me all the time. Thank you so much! -cries happy tears- Well, here it is – the long awaited chappie! I can't believe how long it is... I was thinking in cutting it in two – but I thought naw, I'll leave it long as a treat for you all. So, I hope you guys enjoy it!
By the way, is anyone annoyed by the way I make Jou speak? I dunno what made me have him talk like that in the beginning, and I'm starting to get annoyed by it. So, I'm gonna have him tone it down a bit from now on, hope nobody minds!
I'd like to give a special thanks to Silverdragon-Purity for giving me a riddle! I've gotten a lovely idea with it. If anyone else has a riddle, please pass it on! I want a whole bunch, but I don't know that many. -sweatdrops-
Anyway, to the chappie!
Disclaimer: I tried to get the rights from Takahashi-San by cosplaying as Yuugi... didn't work, though. -sweatdrops-
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Puzzle Piece 7
Atemu was rather impressed with how Yuugi adjusted to School quickly. He really was.
It had been almost a whole week since Yuugi's first day. The homeroom teacher introduced him to the class as "Yuugi Nhyakhu". Atemu thought it fit. The day before, while the two were filling in the forms for Yuugi to hand in, they needed a surname for Yuugi to use. Since the small one was Egyptian, Atemu thought it was a good idea to use an Ancient Egyptian name, much like his own. "Nyyakhu" came up. When Sugoroku asked why "Little Light" was to be used, Atemu just shrugged, and gave his simple reply.
"I don't know, really. I just... it seems to suit him. In my eyes, at least."
Everyone in the class thought he was related to Atemu, seeing as he was half Egyptian himself and they both looked alike. They were assured that this wasn't the case. A hand was raised, and another question was asked.
"How come you're Egyptian, but have a Japanese name?"
It was a good thing Yuugi memorised everything he needed to say. "I have an Egyptian name actually, but I prefer to go by "Yuugi" while in Japan, like A- Yami does. It makes it easier for everyone. Just like A- Yami, I had to use my real surname."
Atemu thought it was a good answer, even though the truth was; he didn't know his real name.
Many other questions were asked, and Yuugi answered without hesitation. Most of the questions were about his home life, and Atemu was a little worried on how he was going to get through them. He somehow managed, though.
"That wasn't so bad..." Atemu muttered when homeroom was finished and leaving the room, relieved it was all over.
"You act like it was you up there!" Jounouchi joked, ruffling his hair. Atemu glared, while Yuugi just smiled.
"It was okay, actually. I had fun doing it." He frowned. "Too bad I couldn't answer truthfully..."
Honda looked down at him. "How did you know what to say, anyway?"
"Weeeeell..." Yuugi started, grinning. "Me and Até went over what I might need to answer... and whatever I didn't know how to answer, he would tell me."
Anzu blinked at this. "How?"
"Over our bo-MMPH!"
Atemu had slapped a hand over Yuugi's mouth. Today, he really didn't want to get questioned at the whole "Mindlink" thing, yet. He just wasn't ready. "We're gonna be late if we carry on like this, so can we stop with the questions now?"
"Sheeeesh!" Jounouchi pouted. "You know, ever since Yuugi came, you've been more moody!"
Otogi grinned at the blonde. "More moody? He's always moody!"
Atemu glared, and pulled Yuugi with him as he stomped away from his laughing friends.
The rest of the day went by uneventful, or as uneventful as they could get when one had an 3000 year-old Ancient Egyptian with them. Yuugi just got fascinated the more the day went by. Maths fascinated him, Science fascinated him, Art fascinated him, and so forth. Even though Yuugi didn't have a clue about any of the classes, and was royally dubbed as "stupid" by all the other students, (Yuugi kept asking and answering questions), he still seemed to enjoy himself. Atemu was rather proud of him.
He has so much strength... even though he's in an unknown world.
He thought if he was able to get by a week of school with Yuugi, the next lot of weeks should be fine.
He hoped, at least.
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"Aagh! Why is this so hard?" Atemu cried, ruffling his hair in annoyance. The commotion caused Yuugi, who was flopped on his back on the bed, to look over to the taller teen.
"Something wrong?" He asked, blinking at the way Atemu was getting agitated.
He grunted. "This math homework. I just can't seem to understand any of the questions!"
What annoyed Atemu most of all, was the fact that Yuugi had done his already. And he didn't understand it any better than he did! All the smaller did was look it over, blink, and scribble down answers that made no sense. In less than 5 minutes, his maths homework was finished and packed away into his bag for Monday. Yuugi did this with all the other homework too – just made up answers and writings to complete the task. And it was written like it was well thought over! Atemu growled.
"Just write what you think." Yuugi told him, pointing up a finger in a "matter-of-fact" sort of way, speaking as if it was the most logical thing to do. "That's what they expect you to do, isn't it?"
"Normally, yes." the taller agreed, frowning. "If it was your first few years of school. But this, is the last year – they expect you to know it all by now. Otherwise, you fail." He groaned, and banged his head on the table, making Yuugi jump. "My grades are bad enough as it is..."
Yuugi blinked. Yes, during his first week of school, he had learnt all you needed to know about it – grades, students, teachers, clubs, lessons... even though he was still clueless about the later. Still, school wasn't meant to stress you out, was it? From what he learnt, it was meant to help you learn the things you need to either go onto another, higher school called collage, or get a good job. So, seeing that Atemu was getting waned up by some simple homework (although to Yuugi, it didn't look simple... but he had an excuse. He's never done school before. Or at least, as far as he knew) it made him frown.
This must be another thing he feels funny about mentioning... Yuugi concluded, not happy about it at all. Another whole week had gone by... and the two didn't feel any closer than when they first met. Well, that's how it felt with the smaller, anyway.
Yuugi had been confused, when Atemu told one of his secrets on his first day of school. He had prompted on it a little more at the end of the day, but didn't get anymore than what he already knew out of the taller teen. And that, had left Atemu to sulk for the rest of the evening. It helped Yuugi to understand the teen a little better though; Atemu didn't like to talk about things unless he was ready. The egyptian decided that when it came to his past pains, it was best to wait.
Even if he didn't like leaving him to face them alone.
Hopefully, at some point, he could help him face them. One step at a time, right? "...Would you like me to get you something to drink, Até?" He asked, shacking his head of the thoughts for now. He hoped by asking this question would help calm the other's frazzled nerves he was feeling over the bond, even if it was a guess.
It must have been right, since it made Atemu sigh from the desk. "If you would, please..."
And with that, the smaller left the room to head to the kitchen in order to complete his task. Yuugi, as he grabbed a cup and began making some green tea, frowned. H had found school fun... but why didn't Atemu? throughout the whole week, he kept feeling the other was on edge... tense, as if waiting for someone to jump from around a corner and attack him. And ever time Yuugi asked, Atemu denied it. He stop purring the hot water he had just boiled with a sigh. Seems like there were lots of different pains Atemu was hiding from him. How much pain are you really in, Até?
"Ah, hello Yuugi." Sugoroku greeted, entering the room.
Yuugi turned, and smiled at the old man, ignore these new thoughts for now. "Hello, Mutou-San. Finished in the shop for the day?"
The older nodded. "Oh yes, and very glad too!" He smiled broadly. "I was invited for a drink with an old friend of mine, this evening. I haven't seen him in a long while, since he's been in Egypt for a few years."
This, perked Yuugi's interest up. "Oh?"
"His name is Yoshimori, and his been a Archaeologist for years. We did a few sites together way back. Oh, the memories..." He grinned, thinking back.
"You used to be a Archaeologist, Mutou-San?" Yuugi asked, surprised.
"Hoho, didn't Atemu tell you?" Sugoroku blinked in amusement. "I was a Archaeologist for a long time, but I'm retired now. That's why I run this shop with all these old type games." He smiled. "Anyway, we're going off track here – Yoshimori started after hearing many of the stories I told him of my job; and he got hooked ever since! He does it for the thrill and excitement, much like I did." He walked over to the frigde to get some milk out. "The last site he's just finished was in the Valley of the Kings; Egypt."
Yuugi went into deep thought. So, sugoroku knew someone who had been working in Egypt... and not just Egypt, the Valley of the Kings... why does that that place sound familiar?
"What is the Valley of the Kings?" He asked, completely forgetting Atemu's green tea.
The old man looked over to him. "It's a large canyon where the old Pharaohs of Egypt were laid to rest in their tombs. Many have been found, but there are still just as many, maybe even more tombs to be discovered... my dear boy, are you alright?" Sugoroku asked, seeing that tears had started to run down the smaller's cheeks.
Yuugi gave a small sniffle. "When you say "found", you mean... opened and disturbed, right?"
The old man lifted a hand and placed it on Yuugi's head, causing him to look up at him. "Now my lad, there's no need to be sad. We only take a little of the treasures, and very few mummies have gone on display in museums. But by doing this has aloud us to find out about Egypt and it's people's past."
"But to think... having someone's... having a Pharaoh's resting place defiled like that..."
Why was this effecting him so? It confused him, but just hearing that the Pharaohs of old were going through that... he just hoped that his Pr-aA was still resting peacefully.
Yuugi blinked. My Pr-aA? Why would I...
A memory. It had almost serviced and showed a small part of his past... but before he could grab it, it slipped through his fingers. More tears began to flow at this. What Sugoroku had said seemed to had triggered something for him to almost remember. Oh, it wasn't fair! Why couldn't he remember? Why did the Puzzle have to take them away?!
"It's not like that, I assure you." The other soothed, rubbing his hair. A sound came from the doorway, and Sugoroku looked over, seeing that Atemu had joined them. He took his hand off Yuugi's head. "Ah, hello Atemu. Get that homework done?"
"No..." He started, frowning. "I felt something was wrong, so I came to see what was up." He came over to Yuugi and stood next to him, spotting his tears. "Why are you crying?"
Yuugi quickly rubbed at his eyes, and tried to smile at him. "It's nothing, Até."
Atemu gave a small glare. "Don't lie to me, Yuugi." He lifted his hand to place on Yuugi's wet cheek, rubbing it lightly with his thumb. "What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry..." He started, sniffling. "It was just something Mutuo-San told me... it just, made me feel sad..."
The taller teen gave a blink, and looked over at his grandfather, he just smiled back. "I was telling him about my friend, Yoshimori, who had recently discovered a Pharaoh's tomb in the Valley of the Kings."
Ah, so that was it. Because Yuugi was Egyptian, and from ancient Egypt, even though he didn't know anything about his past, he still unconsciously feels it in his blood. So, it should be natural for him to be upset at this. Atemu smiled at the smaller. "It's okay to cry, little one. Don't feel embarrassed about doing so." He took his hand away, blushing lightly at how he was acting. "It helps to talk about what's upsetting you, too."
Yuugi inwardly laughed. If only you'd listen to your own advice, Até.
Maybe Atemu said that to assure himself, too. So this, made him feel better. "Thanks, Até." Yuugi smiled back, before something struck him. "Ah! I forgot your green tea!" He became flustered as he went to reboil to water, having noticed that the very little water he had pored in the cup was already cold. "Hold on- I'll make you another one!"
Atemu started to laugh as Yuugi quickly started to redeem himself. "It's okay, don't worry." He grabbed hold of the smaller's hand. "It's late anyway." And proceeded to drag him away.
"B-but... your tea..."
So, after the two had left, sugoroku stared solemnly at the bit of pitiful half-made cold green tea in the cup. "What a waste of green tea..."
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Atemu sighed, rubbing at his sweaty brow. The young Pharaoh felt he had been here for hours... which was most likely true, and still, he wasn't doing any better. Why was it that he couldn't do it? Sure, his childhood friend Mana couldn't do it, but that was normal – she was younger and hadn't started this class yet. But he... he was PAST the age to be able to do it... and he just couldn't! Even his little one could do it... and he was a YEAR YOUNGER than he was! And if Seth, his older cousin, could also do it, why can't he?!
"It's not fair!" He pouted like a child, stamping his foot. Good thing that only his other childhood friend, Mahado, who was older and his teacher for this, was there. It didn't look very becoming of a Pharaoh to be acting like a spoilt brat... which is what lots of people will think already; he didn't need to make it worse. "Why can't I do this?!"
"For one, you need to stay calm." Mahado told him from afar, crossing his arms. "Summoning your Spirit Ka takes lots of time and patients when this is your first attempt. Just relax, and try again, my Pr-aA."
Atemu grunted, and calmed his breth, before closing his eyes. He needed to be able to do this... if he wasn't able to summon his own Ka Spirit... then he wouldn't be able to summon one from a stone tablet. That was why he was taking this class. Because he was EXPECTED to be able to do it.
Maybe that was why he couldn't summon his Ka. He felt like he couldn't summon it. Like, no matter how many times he tried, it wouldn't come. So, the Ka sleeping within his soul could feel that, and doesn't think Atemu was ready for it to come out. That's what he thought, anyway.
"I can't do it, Mahado." He sighed, slumping his shoulders. "I've been trying for hours, today... and many more before this. I just can't do it."
A small giggle started from behind him. "It's not like the mighty Pr-aA to give up so easily."
Atemu jumped at the sudden voice, and calmed when he felt who's presence it was in his mind. He turned round, and gave a smile. "You startled me, little one."
"Really?" He asked, looking surprised. "But you always know it's me."
Atemu gave a sigh, before turning away. "That's because my mind's been on other things, ari..."
The other blinked, before looking over to Mahado for answers, who only sighed himself. "He has not been able to summon his Ka." The much older one said.
"Ah." Came the understanding reply. So that's why he was feeling his Pharaoh's stress from the other side of the palace. He frowned when the Pharaoh cursed out loud.
"s3 nt sAb!" He yelled, stamping his feet in frustration. He turned, and started to stomp away. "That's it, I give up."
"Oh, no you don't!" The smaller threatened, grabbing hold of the retreating king. "You are going to do this, no matter what." Still holding onto him, he turned to face Mahado, who was watching silently. "Mahado? Could you, maybe...?"
Mahado smiled in understanding. "I do believe I have a lesson with Mana, now. I shall take my leave." He bowed to the still grumpy Pharaoh and walked away, leaving the two alone in the palace gardens.
It was silent for a moment.
...
...
"No."
"Don't "no" me, Pr-aA." The smaller started, staring down the pharaoh sternly when Atemu began to glare at him. "You are going to get that Ka of yours out here, even if it kills you!"
Atemu blinked out of his glare, before sighing and turning away. "Lets just face it, ari. I've tried for days, now... and you and Seth called upon yours on the first day. I just can't do it."
"Yes you can." He assured him, smiling at him lovingly. "Now, I want you to close your eyes, and try calling it."
The Pharaoh sighed, but did as he was told. He had done this many times already, doing everything Mahado had said, but it never worked. "okay, I am trying."
"Good. Keep calling it, but instead of getting frustrated or worried if it doesn't come, just keep calling- asking it kindly to simply greet itself. Remember, this will be your Ka's first time out into the real world, away from the safety of your soul- it itself will feel afraid, along with the feelings it will feel from you. It will think it's not ready, if you yourself do not feel ready."
Atemu thought on those words. He never thought of it like that. Who would have even thought at all, the fact that your Ka could be scared to awaken for the first time? Was that maybe why it was pretty hard to summon it for the first time? He smiled, feeling a little more confident at the thought of not being the only one feeling scared of his first summoning. He kept up his calls in his mind, heart, soul- sounding kind and caring, calling to his Ka like a mother would to her child.
In moments, he felt something- a stirring, like the feeling of someone rolling over as they start to wake up. Atemu smiled more. That's right, time to wake up... I want to meet you.
A sudden tug pulled at his soul, a feeling he was told he would feel when his summoning was working. When he heard his little one gasp when the pulling at his soul stopped, he opened his eyes, and blinked at what he saw.
"It's so cute!" The smaller gushed, grabbing hold of the bundle of fur to hug tightly. "It's even cuter than my Ka!"
Atemu groaned when he heard this. He didn't want his Ka to be "cute", he wanted a fierce looking Ka... like the three Gods he would soon learn to summon from the tablets. "Just great. It took me nearly 4 days to summon a furrball. Seth is going to have a such a day with this new information..."
At the insult, the Ka in the other's arms turned and glared at the Pharaoh. "Kuri kuri!!" He sneered, growling at him. A giggle sounded.
"You can not choose your Ka, my Pr-aA. Besides, now my Marshmellon Ka has a friend it can play with without feeling intimidated."
The Pharaoh blinked at his small counter-part before laughing. "Yes, I believe that's true. At least, my Ka looks a little more threatening than yours does."
"Hey!"
Atemu ignored the pout coming his way, and reached over to pet his small Ka on the head. The glare it was making displayed, as it went into purrs and "Kuriiiii..."s at the attention it was receiving from it's master. "I am going to call you Kuriboh from now on."
"Kuriboh? That is a rather funny name." The smaller commented, blinking out of his pout.
"No funnier than "Marshmellon", Ari."
Another glare, or pout, was thrown his way. "Are you trying to anger me after I help you, "Pharaoh"?"
Atemu shook his head, taking his hand of Kuriboh's head and taking the Ka from the other's arms. He let go of it, and it floated to float by his side. Atemu gave a smile, then reaching both arms to cuddle with his little one. "You know I am not, Ari. I am mealy teasing." He nuzzled his face into the other's hair. "But I do wish to thank you..." He kissed into his hair. " I have no idea how I would survive at all without you... antyw nhy akhu..."
The smaller sighed in the embrace, closing his eyes in bliss. "I'm sure you could... antyw kkwy..."
"Time to wake up, Até!" Cried a voice, before the owner of it belly-flopped onto the named one.
Atemu awoke with a startled gasp when Yuugi body-slammed him awake, having his breth knocked out of him for a moment. "Y-Yuugi!" He gasped, trying to calm down his racing heart from the surprise attack. He lifted his head up. "What was that for?"
Yuugi just grinned at him cutely from his "flop all over Atemu" position. "To wake you up. You were ignoring me in your sleep, so I had no choice but to give you a body-slam."
"Evil little bugger." The other muttered darkly, dropping his head back down onto the pillow. He lightly began to push Yuugi away. "Go away- your crushing me."
Yuugi just continued to grin, becoming dead-weight so to make it harder for Atemu to move him. He had groaned in annoyance at this. "But if I do, you'll go back to sleep."
"Too right! I officially have another two hours before it's time to come to reality." A grumbled came. "I'm sure there's a law to being up this early..."
"He said that, too."
Atemu blinked. "Who did?"
And Yuugi, just blinked back, now looking confused at what he said. "...I don't know. I just-" Another blink, and his eyes went blank. "...What were we talking about?"
The taller tri-haired teen shivered at the look Yuugi was giving. He'd never seen that look before, and he didn't like it. It was a moment, but Yuugi blinked and gained his normal look back. He glared when that happened before rightly pushing him off and onto the floor. Yuugi made a loud "Oof!" at the action while Atemu hid under the blankets. "Alright, that's enough. Go bother Grandpa or something."
"Oh no, you are not going back to sleep!"
"But I was having a nice dream..."
A silent second... "You were dreaming?"
"Yes. This surprises you?" Atemu asked, sitting back up.
Yuugi nodded. "yes, because I don't sense you dreaming. Because of our Bond- I can tell when you are thinking, even if I do not hear your thoughts, and when you are feeling emotions. I even know when you are daydreaming. But..." He frowned. "I don't feel your dreams, sometimes. It's like, something blocks it."
Atemu thought on this. These dreams feel more like past memories to me. And Yuugi has none about his past. Whenever I ask him about how he feels about it, he just glances at the Puzzle. The teen shifted his eyes to look at the item that was hanging around his neck. It's always like he's afraid of it... wait, did the puzzle take his memories away?
"I think so."
Atemu jumped, realising that he thought that thought out loud. Making a sigh, he stared at the smaller. "You think so?"
Yuugi was quiet for a moment, before letting out his own sigh. "I... I don't remember anything about who I am, where I came from, or my past. I can't even remember what it was that I did to get trapped in the first place." He lowered his head. "...But I do remember the pain... the darkness that was also trapped there, tormenting me because of what I am. It felt like I had lost something in there, my memories, and it won't give them back."
It would make sense. Puzzle takes memories to torment trapped soul, I gain old memories, if their mine, Puzzle blocks other from seeing them to continue tormenting him, even when he's not trapped anymore. Poor Yuugi...
The taller, while listening, then realised that Yuugi was telling him his deepest fear about the puzzle. Before he never said anything, so this was the first time Atemu would know why Yuugi was jumpy about the item, or would never touch it – unlike what he did with the Eye, that he became so fascinated about it on first sight.
"For so long I was trapped in the shadows... wrapped in spiked chains, holding me down, cutting into my soul... they taunted me, making me feel bad about something I don't even know. I was, and still am, confused as to why it let me go when it did." He lifted his amethyst eyes to glance at the puzzle. "But, even though I am afraid that it will take me away again, I am drawn to it. Like, it's a part of me..."
"Just like the Millennium Eye?" Atemu asked, eyes widening at this new information. Was there something more to do with the items and Yuugi? Are they more connected than he knew?
Yuugi nodded. "Yeah..."
Yuugi became silent again, and that was when Atemu knew he had spoken enough for now. I should pay him back for telling me his fear. The teen reached up a hand and petted the other's hair, feeling through the link the other calming at the touch. I should, but... I'm not ready to face my own dark past yet...
"It's okay, Até." Yuugi said, smiling at him kindly, before moving to wrap his arms around the taller's waist. Atemu knew that Yuugi had once again heard his thoughts, but this time, he didn't mind. "One step at a time... for both of us."
Atemu smiled back, relaxing into the embrace. "Yeah... one step at a time."
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"A museum exhibit?" Anzu asked, looking interested.
Atemu nodded. "Uh huh. My grandfather's friend, Yoshimori, is the finder of the tomb that will be on show. He's invited us to see it this afternoon."
That morning, when the group had all arrived for homeroom, Atemu had told his friend's about the new Museum exhibit on display. Sugoroku's friend, Yoshimori, had asked him last night if he and his grandson wanted to come and see it. Being into that kind of thing, and knowing how interested Atemu had started to become on Egyptianology (Yuugi too), had accepted the offer.
"That's cool." Otogi said, smiling. "Any chance we can come along?"
"I don't see why not." The teen shrugged, moving to sit on his desk. "I was told there will be treasures, artefacts, and a mummy."
Everyone looked excited, but Jounouchi seemed a little worried. Anzu noticed, and smirked, before turning to her childhood friend. "Say Yami, your Puzzle came from a tomb, didn't it?"
Atemu looked down at the said item hanging around his neck. "Yes, it is. Or at least, that's what Grandpa said."
"Didn't he say the archaeologists who found it all died?" She asked, pulling a face.
"What?!" Jounouchi cried, looking creeped out. He lunged at Atemu, keeping just inches away from his face. "Your not cursed or somethin', are ya?!"
The teen sweatdropped. "Of cause not! Don't freak him out, Anzu." He scowled at the girl while she laughed. "Actually, Grandpa just said that to try and scare me into giving it back."
The blonde looked relieved, while Honda tapped Atemu on the shoulder. "By the way, what's up with Yuugi?"
At this, Atemu blinked, before turning his attention to said boy. The smaller was standing a small ways off from the group, looking out the classroom window with a look of thoughtfulness marking his face. Atemu frown at the sight. Yuugi may be an enigma to him, but he knew that this behaver did not suit him. Jounouchi, however, was the one to voice his concerns.
"He looks kinda depressed."
Atemu shook his head. "I'm not sure, really. He's been like that since our invitation this morning."
Everyone watched the smaller silently for a while, all seemingly worried for him. In moments, Anzu whispered in Atemu's ear. "You should go talk to him."
He looked confused at the girl, before shrugging and getting off the desk, walking over to Yuugi. He stopped next to him, before coughing to get the other's attention. "Um... you okay?"
"Yeah." Yuugi answered, knowing what the other was starting. "I just..." A sigh. "I don't know, this whole thing just..." Another sigh. "...I just don't know."
"Don't worry over it, Yuugi." Atemu said in a caring manner, looking at him. "But, if you're worried about going to the museum, we don't have to go."
This made Yuugi look at him confused. ""We"?"
"Yes, we. I'm not leaving you at home just so I can go out. Besides, it wouldn't be any fun without you." Atemu blushed lightly, quickly turning his head to look out the window.
Yuugi gave a blink, before smiling at him, seemingly loving the small blush that tinted those sharp features. "Até, do you want to go?"
He nodded. "Yes, because I think we might find something there."
The smaller was silent for a moment, touched that Atemu only wanted to go to see if there was anything there to help find his past. His smile widened before nodding himself. "Okay, I'll go with you." He turned his gaze back out the window. "I just get the feeling that something is going to happen. Something bad."
A hand landed on Yuugi's head, and he purred, the attention calming his worried emotions. "If something does happen, you can just show how awesome you are and summon that huge bright creature or something, right?"
"He could be your knight in shinning leather!" Came the blunt comment from Jounouchi, not to far off from the two, catching only half the conversation.
The statement made the others laugh, as Atemu rounded on the blonde and attacked him with his bookbag. But it only confused Yuugi at what he meant, as he watched Atemu chase the blonde around the room. People of this time say confusing things...
He took note to ask Atemu about it later.
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Sunday: Domino City Museum
The gang had arrived at the museum entrance, Sugoroku standing a little ways away from them – keeping a lookout for someone. Everyone was excited about the exhibit they were going to see, though Jounouchi was a little worried about seeing the mummy...
"What if we get cursed?" He asked, freaking out somewhat.
Yuugi laughed at him. "A mummy can't curse you." The blonde relaxed. "Although..." The blonde tensed. "You can get cursed if the spirit is trapped and angry, or a curse was placed on the tomb..."
"GAH!" Jounouchi freaked, backing away and ready to run.
Otogi grabbed him. "Calm down, man!"
"I wanna go home!"
Anzu and Honda laughed at the site, while Atemu blinked at Yuugi. "How do you know?"
Yuugi blinked back, looking unsure. "...I don't know. I just... know."
Atemu decided not to ask anymore.
"Yoshimori isn't here yet..." Sugoroku started, joining back up with the group of teens. "We should wait here a little longer."
"Sugoroku!" Called a voice from afar, causing everyone to turn their gazes in that direction. "Thank you for coming. Sorry I'm late, some things I had to finish..."
"Not at all." The elder assured, smiling at him. "I've brought some others with me. You remember my Grandson, Atemu, don't you? And these are his friends; Jounouchi, Honda, Anzu, Otogi and Yuugi. Yuugi is staying with us at the moment."
Yoshimori smiled at them all. "Hello everyone. I hope you'll enjoy the exhibit today."
"This is so cool!" Jounouchi guessed, causing Anzu and Honda to sweatdrop at him. Otogi just laughed. "your like, famous! Your in da news papers an' all!"
Yoshimori smiled, before looking over to Atemu, who blinked at him. "My, Atemu my boy! I haven't seen you since you were very small! You've grown!"
"Uh... yeah. Hello, Yoshimori." He said, feeling uneasy. Something felt wrong around here...
"Oh, who's this?" Sugoroku asked, blinking over at the short, plumped man standing by his friend.
Yoshimori introduced him. "This is Kanekura, who owns the Museum. He's the one who provided my team the grant for the excavation, and sponsoring the exhibit."
"Welcome to my museum!" Kanekura crooned, looking smug. Atemu didn't like the look of him at all, but kept quiet to seem polite. In seconds, he went and whispered something in Yoshimori's ear, giving a small peek at the Puzzle around Atemu's neck.
"Oh... r-right." Yoshimori stuttered slightly, before turning to Sugoroku. "You told me your Grandson completed the Puzzle, correct?"
The old man looked a little embarrassed, because Atemu was glaring at him. "Hohoho... I did, didn't I?"
"That's it!" Kanekura cried, leaping over and grabbing the puzzle. Atemu got choked a little by the action, and Yuugi looked ready to attack at any moment. "The legendary puzzle! I can't believe it's real!"
You just saw it a second ago! Atemu complained in his head. And you were leering at it while trying to act innocent!
"Please, Atemu!" The short man begged, holding tightly to the puzzle. "Please let me put it in the exhibit!"
"Whaa-?!" He was dumb-struck. Why would he want to put it in? He was leering at it, yes, but why...
"Kanekura has an eye for antiquities. If he gets excited over something like this, then it's really valuable!"
"...Really?" The teen questioned, feeling unsure.
"Please! Let me put it in, I beg you!"
"W-well..."
"Atemu."
He turned at Yuugi's stern voice, spotting his cold eyes. It was a look Atemu didn't like to see on Yuugi, and wandered why he was like that. He blinked, also noticing that Yuugi had called him without using his nickname. "Yes, Yuugi?"
Yuugi grabbed his hand and pulled him away. "I need to talk to you."
Another blink came to the teen's eyes. "Okay..."
He allowed Yuugi to pull him away until the two were a little ways away from the group, so whatever it was Yuugi wanted to say wasn't heard. The smaller stopped, and rounded on Atemu with a serious look.
"I don't think you should give him the puzzle."
"Huh?" Atemu questioned, looking more confused. "Why?"
"Because..." He trailed off, looking unsure if he should say. But, he took a deep breth and said anyway. "because, as you know, the puzzle and I are linked. I may hate the thing; the puzzle full of unknown, dangerous powers..." He shuddered. "But, it's because of the puzzle that I'm alive."
Again, Atemu was confused. Even more so. "But, you said it tortured you."
"Yes."
"And your free." was also pointed out. "So, the thought of getting rid of it should make you feel happy."
"My memories are gone." Yuugi stated blankly. "But I still know things. Atemu, this body I have in front of you is not real. I am, in fate, only a spirit."
Well, this was news to him. So far, Yuugi has just appeared normal (well, as normal you can get with Yuugi) to him, and looks very much alive, yet Yuugi was telling him he wasn't? That he was actually dead? Gah, Atemu's head hurt...
"Wait... you're... not alive?" Atemu asked carefully, making Yuugi sigh.
"I have been trapped and tortured in the puzzle for a long time... I don't know how I died, or how I was trapped, but I know that my soul was pulled from my body. I am really just a wandering spirit, now that I am free."
"But... I don't understand." The taller said, reaching out to rub Yuugi's cheek. "I... I can touch you. You feel real, you feel warm, you eat, drink, sleep... how can you be dead if you do all that?"
Yuugi himself reached out, taking Atemu's arm and making his hand rest on Yuugi's chest. In moments, Atemu's eyes widened in shock. "...You see? There is no beat of a heart, no pulse or blood running though my veins. This body is an illusion turned real. I eat and drink to keep my energy up to be able to do things, like make body heat. I sleep because I get tired after doing it for a long day. I breath because I subconsciously remember doing it once. But Ate..." Yuugi smiled sadly. "I live now in the outside world, because you will it, while your aware of it or not. As long as you wear the Millennium Puzzle, I can make my wish for freedom real."
Atemu was silent for a moment, taking it all in. then, his eyes showed realization. "The times you vanished when I had no choice but to take it off... You weren't real?"
"No. My body's physical form dissolves and I feel a strong pulled to return to the puzzle. But... your soul is so kind and warm... it allows me to take residence in there, allowing me to loose that pull, until you place the puzzle back around your neck."
"I thought it was odd, when you were never at the PE lessons this week..." He frowned. "Your emotions and thoughts I feel over the link always felt stronger, too."
Yuugi grinned. "They should – I like your Soulroom too much. It's way better than mine."
"Soulroom?" Atemu asked, blinking.
"It's a room within your soul, which reflects your heart." Yuugi explained. He was about to say more, but by the looks from the group afar, they were starting to get impatient. "We better get back..."
Atemu nodded, and glanced down at the puzzle. "I guess the answer is no, then?"
Yuugi thought, the smiled. "If you can make an excuse about my vanishing act..."
"...Then he can have it for the day?" At Yuugi's nod, Atemu turned and headed back over to the others, Yuugi headed around the corner of the building. Jounouchi blinked when Atemu got back to them.
"Where's Yuge going?" He questioned, looking around to try and spot the shorter teen.
Atemu smiled sheepishly. "He said he wanted to have a look around by himself, for a bit... he'll meet us up later."
Sugoroku smiled at his grandson knowingly, and made Atemu glare at him. Stop it with that smile!
"Aw... that's a shame." Anzu sighed dramatically. "And I was so looking forward to locking you guys in a room..."
"W-what?!" Atemu spluttered, falling over at the statement. "Why would you want to do that?"
The tri-haired teen just gabbed at her when she winked at him with a smirk. What was wrong with this girl? It was almost like she was going to set them up or something...
"Atemu?" Kanekura started, getting to close for the teen's liking. "Can I please have the puzzle?"
Well... Yuugi did say it was okay, so he nodded with a sigh, taking the puzzle off. "Yes... but only for a day. I want it back."
The intance he handed the puzzle over, a sudden tug was felt, before a much stronger presence appeared with his mind. Now that he new it was Yuugi hanging about in his, soulroom was it?, he felt a lot more reassured than before.
"Oh... thank you! That will be plenty!"
Plenty? What does he mean by that?
Something is off with him... Atemu heard Yuugi say, his voice sounding like he was busy with something. Now that he thought about it... if Yuugi stayed in his soulroom while he didn't wear the puzzle... what did he do in there?
"I play in your sandpit." Yuugi answered with a giggle.
Atemu decided not to ask what he meant.
"Well then, shall we be off?" Yoshimori asked, starting to guide everyone through the museum entrance. Everyone started to get excited, while Atemu fell into deep thought.
This new information about Yuugi was a little hard for him to fully take in, if he was honest. Now knowing that Yuugi wasn't alive at all, but really dead instead, made him feel very sad. Atemu knew, from the moment with the Millennium Eye, that Yuugi had a mission to fulfil. So, if he completed it, will he go away? Like to heaven, or a place where souls go to? The thought of Yuugi leaving... it made him hurt inside. Like, a part of himself was braking, feeling as if he already had Yuugi taken away room him before. but that was impossible... Until about two weeks ago, when he first put the puzzle together, he never met Yuugi in person before in his life. He didn't even understand why he was so attacked to Yuugi in the first place. They hardly know each other. But still, they felt so... natural... together...
Atemu decided, that no matter what Yuugi may need to do, he wasn't going to let him go. Ever.
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translations:-
antyw nhy akhu: my little light
antyw kkwy: my darkness
ari: partner
s3 nt sAb: Son of a jackal
Pr-aA; Pharaoh
DS: Well, there ya go! I hope it was alright for you all - the longest chappie I've written yet! -grins-
I apoligise for any grammer or spelling mistakes. I have a tentency to mislay things. ha ha ha. -sweatdrops-
Please review!