Ma-Chi: Oh, wow! For a filler chapter, you all really liked it! I'm so glad! -huggles all- And I bet you were all happy to get a much quicker update, huh? Well... that was because I did three chapters at once, so when I had updated the other chapters, these one's were almost done already.
200! 200 frickin' reviews! -parties- You've made me so, so happy! The most I ever got was about 40, and that was on my very old, very first FF story that I took down years ago, and didn't even get halfway with it. For being such, such patient, helpful and kind reviewers, I'm gonna do my best to make this even more enjoyable for you! Lets reach 300 now! 8D
Shoutouts!
Bfly-Ronaldita: Really? It did? -needs to see sometime- Haha. Um... I guess because the binds happened so much that day, that Atemu was more annoyed than embarrassed by then. -grins- Well, hope you enjoy this one too!
HikariTenshiYamiTenshi: I do, too! Lot's of people hate her, for some unknown reason, and make her a real horrible character. But hey, we all have our own opinions, and if someone who doesn't like her and wants to make her that way, then fine. I'm sure that everyone (and you) read before that she loved (and still does) Atemu, but I like making Anzu a character who yes, loves someone, but prefers to do anything to make that person happy, even if that means getting them together with someone else. She's one of those people who is happy when the one she loves is happy themselves. So, a Puzzleshipping-Yaoi-Shonen-ai-fangirl-Tea/Anzu is always good! Because this way, we all know, that even if she still loves Atemu, she won't stand in the way – she'll get things going for them!
YamiYugi4ever: In truth, it took me ages just to think of them! Glad you liked them, though. :)
Umbrae Calamitas: -hands over a fluffy puzzle- There ya go! More puzzle fluff! XD
I'm so glad you think that way! I'm always worried that a chapter isn't good enough. It's nice to hear what someone thinks, so I can either change things or keep going with something. But don't worry, even if I still haven't found a way to write things down, I know how the whole story is going to go. So, I don't plan to stop writing this story. I even have the last two chapters written up already! -nodnod-
I have this story following both anime and manga, so things either happen or are meantioned from either one. The Bomberman, on Anzu and Yuugi's day out in the manga is meantioned, but it's like the one from the anime, instead. It worked better with the way it happens. -giggles- Hm... yeah, to think that because you wished you parents dead, and then it happened the next day, you'd think it was your fault. Atemu, despite getting confident with Yuugi there, is still very insurcure. But your right; Yuugi's gonna help him get to be the person he really should be! Well, anyway, enjoy this chapter!
Surfergirl19: -pats- Hey, no worries! If I hadn't of known, I would have thought the same. -shrugs- But hopefully, I won't make it sound so confusing myself! Well, enjoy!
CrystalKitteN-MeW: -shifty eyes- ...but Atemu and Yuugi don't know. Keep it serect! Shh! XD
Yesh, it's sad about his parents... but, with Yuugi there, he'll make it all better! ...At some point. XDDD
Dark Reborn: But with Yuugi there, he'll make it all better. Someday, Atemu will understand that it just happened, and he'll be able to move on in his life. -nods- Now, about that bomber... -giggles-
EightOfThirteen: Well, glad you like it! Hope you like the rest that comes up!
Protector Of The Nameless: What?! We can't have Atemu join Yuugi there! That would be too easy! -laughs evilly- But no worries... its a happy ending for them, I assure you. -nod nod-
SilverDragon-Purity: -bows- I thank you again for the riddles, though! Who knows, they may be useful later or something. -shrugs- And, the ferris wheel... well, you'll see. -giggles- Enjoy!
Dragonlady222: Yes, very good friends they are indeed! Heh heh... and just how clueless, is Yuugi really? XD
Nyago: Yayness for fluff moments, yes! XD Heres ya update, Nyago-Chan!
Thebuzzingbee: Yaoi fangirl Anzu makes the best Anzu! And it's fun bending things from the originals to my will, it makes it all work! So I'm glad you like it.
Yugixyamiyaoilover: Plotting matchmaker Anzu is just fun. I wish she was like that in the real thing, even if she did love Yuugi/Yami! Grr... -pats her Atemu- No worries, Yuugi will make him feel loved. -grins-
SRRH: -nods- it can be horrible when that happens. I had done the same sort of thing, years ago... that's how I got the idea. -nods-
LiLTakariGirl aka Yami Aro: Aww... thanks, Yami-Chan! You reviewed me twice when you didn't have too! -huggles- No worries on being a little late, ya know I wouldn't mind!
We all knew Atemu likes Yuugi. It was just getting him to say it out loud! (well, he thought it, but Anzu will remedy that...) Yuugi is going through a lot, yes, just like Atemu. And yes, only half the story has been cleared up. Now, for the second half to be revealed!
-giggles on your second review- The closet bit is a classic in anything, and I thought it would be funny to add to make you all laugh! (sorry it made you choke on your tea, though... -sweatdrops-) I understand with what your getting at with Anzu, and it's understandable. 4Kids took a teen/older teen anime and tried to make it for little kiddies, which in turn, ruined it for us, the ones who are really the fans who love the show, not just watch it because it's different and has cards in it. (I work at a school, and the amount of reception to year 5/6's who only get the cards because others do, don't know how to play the game and have never seen the anime or read the manga gets to me... this makes the other adults tell me it's for kids, which in turn makes me even more annoyed. They just don't get it. -le sigh-) Because of this, the "A Shadow Game" series was banned outside of Japan, the blood, swearing and punch ups were taken out, Japanese kanji was whipped, anything that was and could be copyright vanished (Coca cola was drank a lot in duelist Kingdom and Star Wars was playing during Yami and Anzu's date! Dubbers just don't see it) and Anzu was made like a friendship cheerleader freak. Where did my Tomboy go?!
I know I'm ranting, but when it's mentioned, I start up. I mean, come on! She hardly spoke like that in the manga and has quite a punch, and in the anime (original) I remember seeing her only preach about 5, 6 times, and that was in need of someone needing to feel loved. Anyway, my point is, no matter how you go it, see the whole thing in Japanese! It's far better than the dub! It'll be good for you XD
MangaReader18: Yes, that's Egyptian. Ancient Egyptian. Lots of words I've picked up from films, history books and other fanfics. The rest I picked up from the internet. I think their written like that so you can try to speak it, I'm not sure. But I didn't make it up, it is real. -nods- And don't worry yaself! I'm nowhere near finished! I have yet to reach the halfway mark! XD
Jisa: 200TH REVEWIER!! Well done, Jisa! You have the honour of choosing a themed chapter for later. -grins and high-fives-
Also, has anyone read KagomeGirl92's story "Dry Shouts Pierce my Broken Heart"? If you haven't, you should. It's bloody good! Anyway, my point is, in her story, she has it that Yami's family have a tradition of giving their loved one a gift on the first date. It's thought to bring their relationship good luck and happiness. Well, I asked her if I could use the idea, and she said yes, so I'm not stealing. But credit to her for her idea! Thanks again, Kagome-Chan! (I know your reading, you just forget to review! Hope you enjoy it, anyway. XD)
Yaaay! The chapter I'm sure you've aaaallll been waiting for! -grins-
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 13
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"Hey guys!" Anzu called, waving a hand at her male friends, who were walking up the road towards the school gates. "Have a good weekend?"
"Hardly." Jounouchi muttered, Honda giving him a sympathetic look. Otogi shrugged.
"Same old, same old. Was busy at the shop, as always."
She nodded, turning to Atemu and Yuugi. ""What about you, Yami? You and Yuugi have a good time at the park?"
"How did you know we still went after you bailed on us?" Atemu asked, raising an eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes. "I saw the news about the Gaming Bombman. It was because of you two that the police caught him."
A blush. "Oh..."
It was true, too. After the two had gone swimming, Yuugi really enjoying it after Atemu taught him how to swim (or more like, Yuugi holding onto Atemu's hands and kicking his feet while the taller walked backwards with him), they both headed off to try the rides, Yuugi again, really enjoying himself. Atemu did too, seeing as the day was making Yuugi smile, in turn making himself smile. Sure, the thought of the place being the last him and his parents had gone to together, but... with Yuugi, it wasn't so bad. Yuugi made it all better.
Anyway, the two had go on the ferris wheel, being almost to the top when it stopped. Being so far up, they didn't notice the police around the bottom right away.
Yuugi had his hands and face pressed against the glass, a gaze of wonder on his face. The whole place had fascinated him! Atemu found he looked so cute like that...
He blushed at that, his heart pounding hard in his ribcage. This seemed like the perfect time to... he took a deep breath, and opened his mouth to speak Yuugi's name-
"Hey, what's going on down there?"
Atemu blinked, then frowned, a little annoyed, but moved to see what Yuugi spotted. There, he saw lots of people on the ground. "It's the police. What are-"
"Attaintion everyone!" A loud voice came over the speakers around the park. "This is an emergency. It has been thought that a bomb has been placed in the park. Could everyone please stay calm and proceed to the nearest exit. I repeat..."
Like everyone was going to stay calm after that! Everyone in the park ran for their lives, trying to get out of the place. Atemu and Yuugi got nervous too. Sugoroku had told them about the bomber being close to the area...
"Why aren't they letting us off?" Yuugi asked, getting slightly worried. Atemu was worried, too.
"I don't know..." He saw the a policeman hand over a phone to an Investigate, who was talking into it in anger. He couldn't hear, but after years of hiding in his younger years at school, away from the bullies, and trying to read what they said to each other from afar, could lip read. "...Oh no..."
"What?"
"Theres a bomb on this ferris wheel!"
"Uh oh..."
Atemu lipped read that the police had to play with balloons to try and stop the bomber. He watched silently... they had to let the balloons go? That's it? How was that meant to save them? "...Can you get us off this wheel, Yuugi?" Atemu asked, turning to him.
He shook his head. "I really don't think I should, if I can... what if they notice? What if I accidental trigger the bomb without meaning to?"
Good point. Atemu nodded in thought and went to look at the police again. Suddenly, gaining an idea, he reached for his phone, now only drawing a blank. He wanted to help, but... "Yuugi, can you use magic to connect to that guy's phone instead?" He pointed down to the group of policemen.
Yuugi was confused, bu thought on it. "It won't set off the bomb, not being very strong magic, but won't they wander how we did it?"
"No. I'd just use the "I hacked" excuse."
A moment... then a nod. "I'll give it a try, then." He closed his eyes, and reached into his magic. He'd never tried anything like this before, so...
The taller teen held the phone to his ear, preying it would work. Seconds went by... wait, there! He heard static, then a voice tormenting the investigator to let go of the white balloon, getting another voice asking if it was a safe colour to release. Atemu chose this moment to butt in. "Do as he said."
"Who is- how did you-?"
"No time, but I'm on the wheel. I want to help." He waved as the man looked up and spotted him. Yuugi sat there, keeping his eyes closed as he concentrated on his magic to keep the connection. Ra, it was really hard! "Let go of the balloon."
And he did so, an empty carriage not long exploding. "Now do you get the game?" The bomber laughed. And so, the game began.
After some of the carriages got destroyed when certain balloons got released, and clues about how to win were said, Atemu found that the coloured balloons were connected to the numbers, making a "flower clock". He spotted the one in the square a head of them, saying the answer needed to win and stop the bomber.
Anzu nudged him. "So you not only figured out the game to save you, Yuugi, and the other people on the wheel, put found out that the bomber was in the number thirteen carriage."
"So...?" He muttered at her. He just really wanted to safe him and Yuugi...
"Ah well." She sighed, digging into her pocket. There was still time before the start of school, it was early. "I've got a gift to give you all."
"Aw... you didn't have to, Anzu!" Yuugi said, taking his little gift like everyone else. They were all starring at them.
"Sure I did. Last time, Yami bought us all cyber pets, so I wanted to do the same." She smiled.
"Oooh... I know those! Até still looks after his!" He was smiling.
Anzu blinked, looking at Atemu. "Really, Yami? I haven't seen you play with one since it was a big craze at school ages ago..."
Atemu blushed again, pulling out another keychain on his keys. "Sure I do... because I've look after it so well, it's programed to not need so much attaintion now."
"Don't tell me..." Jounouchi began, taking a peek. "That it's still U2!"
"Yeah..." More blushing.
"It looks like it does when it evolved to kick 's Kujirada's hidden character pet! Though slightly bigger. Look at it, it looks fearless!" Anzu said, also peeking.
"Cyber pet craze?" Otogi asked Honda, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't have one – my dog being enough. But almost everyone had one at school last year before you joined our school and before Yami's birthday... these guys all had one too."
"Ah."
"I loved mine, but my Peachy out eaten." Anzu told him.
More of a raised eyebrow. "Eaten?"
She ignored him then. "Anyway, how has it lived for so long? I thought it was a limited time..."
"Well..." Atemu started, scratching a finger. "It's because I've looked after it to a point so well and in a certain way, that now as long as I keep taking care of it like this, it won't die. I can let it "Rest in peace" by choosing a new certain option... because now, he won't grow anymore, learn anything new, or mate with any other pets. But hey, I really like my U2, so I'm keeping him like this."
"Understandable." She shrugged, watching Atemu feed the pet, and pocket it again. She went back to her new games she bought. "Now these, are called "Lovely Two"! What you do, is put in your data and once it's complete, you can push this little button. I dunno how it works, but it sends off little waves that reach other Lovely Twos and if their compatible, they both go off, like little bells ringing. If that happens, then your both meant to be together!"
"Pah, how lame..." Jounouchi muttered, pocketing his. He knew why Anzu really bought these.
Otogi thought the same, but noticed Honda looking at his thoughtfully, smiling slightly with a small mutter of "I'll fill this in later..." Guess I'll do mine later too, then, if Honda was going to do his.
"I've already done mine. Why don't you do yours too?"
Atemu and Yuugi noticed that she was looking at them, a big smile on her face. Atemu figured out what she was hinting at, wandering when she found out about his feelings for Yuugi. Or more like, figured out more about his feelings for Yuugi. Guess I'm talking to her later then...
"Sure!" Yuugi grinned, the girl helping him out filling in the data needed, as he was still slightly clueless about electrical objects.
The bell rang.
"Alright people, lets go!" Jounouchi called, heading through the gates. Honda and Otogi followed, Anzu and Yuugi too. Though Anzu stopped, turned, winked at Atemu with a smile, and continued on. He groaned.
"I hate her, sometimes..."
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"You told him yet?!"
Atemu was a little taken back at Anzu's sudden question. It was now lunchtime at school, almost a week later, since Anzu gave them all a "Lovely Two". Only an hour after they got them, a teacher had appeared and taken Yuugi's away (because he had it out and was playing with it, and the teacher felt "superior" to them all by taking it away, claiming it was against rules, when it clearly wasn't). Atemu, getting highly annoyed, and angry after Yuugi got upset at having his first gift taken away not long after he got it, challenged the teacher to a game, to get it back. Atemu got out his Lovely Two and used it to find Yuugi's. Once they reached the staffroom, having come to the conclusion of the teacher hiding in there, think he was safe and he pressed the button, it went off, the sound of little bells ringing. Anzu had grinned at this. Guess her plan worked!
"You are meant to be for each other!" She gushed, after she had cornered the other teen. They were now both alone, Yuugi happily playing with his Lovely Two again.
"W-what?" Atemu stuttered, sweatdropping. "W-why do you..."
"That was the whole point of the Lovely Two!" Anzu told him, wagging a finger. "I wanted to find out if you two were compatible, which you are! Come on, I've seen all the signs! You love him, right?!"
No use in dening it now. "I.. I guess..."
And now, Anzu had called him to a "secret Meeting" by the sakura tree for no reason on his own. He found it odd... but now, he knew why. "Um... told who what?"
"Don't play dumb with me!" The girl yelled, whacking Atemu over the head with a slap ("Ow! Anzu!"). "It's been about 2 months since Yuugi first came to us and almost a week since you told me what you feel for him, so why are you STILL keeping quiet about it?!"
The other had to lean back a bit from Anzu's very close and angry face. "Come on Anzu... you know it isn't that easy." He muttered. "Besides, how am I to know he likes me back, anyway?"
"Eh?!" She practically grabbed his head and turned it sharply so Atemu had no choice than to stare at said subject as he ate lunch with their other friends. "Hello! The guy practically worships the ground you walk on!"
Atemu sweatdropped. "That's... a bit dramatic to say, Anzu."
"Pah." Was all she spoke, letting go of his head, causing the teen to fall to the ground with a yelp. "Anyway, my point is; as far as I've known, he's liked you since the moment he first layed eyes on you. He smiles when your around, his eyes light up when you talk to him, he always tries to hold your hand, he laughs at things you say and do, he's sad when your sad, and more than anything, he LOVES your touch. God, he even purrs when you play with his hair!" She huffed and crossed her arms. "If all that doesn't scream "I love you too" then I don't know what does."
"It could just mean he's a huggy person that's very sensitive to other people's emotion." Atemu groaned, flopping over in defeat.
This made Anzu throw her hands up in annoyance. "AHG! What's with you?!" She whacked him again. ("Anzu! Stop that!") "Look, you'll never know unless you say something!"
"But... that's not the only problem."
"Huh?"
He ignored Anzu's confused look and went to gaze at Yuugi, a fond yet sad smile appearing. "He knew who I was when I first freed him. Well, at first anyway. He forgot it the moment he awoke again. But... I think it's not really me he's looking at." His smile grew when Yuugi started to laugh at something Jounouchi did at their lunch table. "About two weeks ago... back at the Shadi incident? I learnt a few things." He turned his gaze up to stare at the clouds. "I found out what the dreams I was having were, and why I didn't want to lose Yuugi the day I found out..." Atemu trailed off, not wanting Anzu to know Yuugi's secret yet. He gave a sigh. "Shadi told me that I am the reincarnation of a forgotten young Pharaoh of great power, who had a partner that stayed with me almost all the time. That partner practically took half of my burden of ruling off my shoulders. I still don't remember much of my past life, but I understand what my dreams are now." Atemu turned to look at Anzu again, who had a surprised look on her face. Sure, he hadn't said about Yuugi's part of the story, but she didn't need to know that yet. Just about him will do for now. "Their my past memories. And Yuugi's there, showing love for this Pharaoh in his eyes." His smile faded. "Who's to say Yuugi doesn't still hold that love for the Pharaoh, and not me?"
"You won't know unless you ask." Anzu told him softly. "Besides, he doesn't remember his past, right? So, he shouldn't even remember this Pharaoh you speak of." She turned round, hands linked behind her back. "Yami..." She began. "I love you, you know that right?"
Atemu's head shot up. "W-what-?" He stuttered in shock. After all these years... she still loved him?
"I love you." She repeated. "But I can't be with you, I know that. But, I can't stand it when your feeling sad. You've been sad for most of your life, Yami, and it isn't fair on you. It feels like... you've been sad, and don't even know why. Like, you were sad in another life or something (she didn't see Atemu stiffen slightly). But Yuugi... he makes you happy. Really happy. He's good for you, Yami. And if Yuugi makes you happy, then it makes me happy too. A happy Yami makes a happy Anzu. So that's why..." She turned round, bright eyes shinning and lifted up a hand to pat his shoulder. "I have a plan."
All colour left Atemu's face. "...Plan?" He didn't like that face she was pulling... it felt even worse when she was having mood swings. Why is my best friend a GIRL? A Yaoi obsessed fangirl???
"Uh huh!" Anzu said, grinning and clapping her hands. "You won't regret it, my friend!"
Atemu wasn't so sure about that.
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"Umm... Y-Yuugi..."
Said teen turned to face the stuttering Atemu, which the smaller thought didn't suit him at all. Currently, the two were standing at the school entrance, where all the lockers were. It was the end of school, and most of the other students had already left and gone home, so the two were on their own. It was the perfect time, Anzu had said. "Yes, Até?"
That cute, tilted, curious face was making Atemu's throat feel dry again, insides jumping about. The first time it happened was only a month ago... now, it felt stronger than ever. He took a deep breath to calm his nervous nerves, trusting in Anzu's judgement. "Uh... y-you see... uh, tomorrow is Sunday, and there's t-this exhibit at the museum..."
"What kind of exhibit?" Yuugi asked, looking a little unsure. He remembered what happened the last time he went to an exhibit...
Atemu smiled at him, kicking his nervousness away as far as he could. He was not going to keep stuttering! "O-oh, just a little something on Ancient Egypt..." Damnitt! He stuttered...
"Not stuff found by Yoshimori-San, is it?"
The other shook his head, knowing what Yuugi was worried about. "No. If it calms you; Yoshimori has retired from that sort of thing and returned to his family, something he said he should have done a long time ago." Atemu smiled wider. "No, this exhibit is funded by an Egyptian lady called Isis Ishtar. It opens tomorrow, and I thought..."
"That I'd like to go with you?" He asked, eyes lighting up. "You asking me out on a date?"
Atemu was dumbstruck. "Um... yeah." He frowned. "How did you know that?"
"Anzu told me what a date was, and that you were going to ask me to go on one."
"Wait... Anzu told you?" How much did she tell you?
"Uh huh. Well, she said a date was something you did together with someone you care about." Yuugi stretched his cheek. "That's all. It looked like she wanted to tell me more..."
Ever since Yuugi absorbed the Millennium Scales, his sixth sense and judge of character had gone through the roof. He could now tell if something was up with people, even if they hid it well. And he could tell if someone had a good heart or not at first glance.
Well, Atemu was worried at first, asking Yuugi, seeing how he might of reacted, due to what happened with Shadi at the museum. But right now... knowing that it wasn't anything to do with Yoshimori, but an Egyptian lady, who sounded harmless, meant it should be safer.
...Right?
"So... what do you think?"
"Sure, I'd love to go!" Yuugi said, clapping his hands. "Anything I do with you is fun and exciting! And who knows, many I'll learn something there this time!"
Atemu inwardly sighed. Step one: complete.
Now for step two.
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"The best thing to do with any date, is to give them a gift, to show how much you care about them!"
"But what in Ra's name should I give him?!" Atemu yelled, grabbing his hair and yanking it in frustration, before sitting on his bed. Anzu had given him a step by step plan for taking Yuugi on their "date". Asking him out went according to plan, but the next... "Give him a gift before you go off to do your date. Heh, I have no clue..."
He sighed, and decided that, in the end, best to ask his grandpa about it. The teen got back up, and headed downstairs towards the kitchen, where Sugoroku was sitting at the table, dripping a cup of coffee and reading the paper they received that morning. "Um... grandpa?"
The elder looked up. "Hello my dear boy, do sit down."
He sat. "Uh... grandpa, I need your wisdom..."
"On your date with Yuugi?"
Atemu gabbed. "H-how-?"
Sugoroku chuckled. "I'm your grandpa, I know these things." A bigger smile. "Besides, Yuugi was talking about it before he went for his evening shower."
Ah, so that's where he vanished to. Atemu thought. He could feel Yuugi's emotions through the link between them, but not tell where his location is yet, something for Atemu to work on. Good thing he hadn't just barged into the bathroom... Better not take the puzzle off.
"So... what bit of my wisdom do you need?"
The teen coughed. "Anzu told me what I needed to do, and she suggested a gift to present, but... I have no idea what to give him!"
Sugoroku smiled. "I have just the thing for you."
Atemu watched the elder get up from his seat, and gesture for him to follow. He got up too, and followed his grandfather through the door and into the back room of the shop. The old man went over to a shelve (very close to the one Atemu had first seen the puzzle box, before his grandpa hid it away) and reached up to pull down a small jewellery box. It was plain brown, but very worn out. Sugoroku brought it over to his grandson by the back doorway.
"In here, is something your parents, mostly your father, was going to give you."
"My dad? Why?"
He nodded. "Your father's side of the family is Egyptian, and your mother told me of his family's tradition of giving a gift to the person they love on their first date, something to give them good luck and eternal happiness in their relationship." He opened the box, and revealed a small silver chain, connected to a blank cartouche. "By what she told me, so far, it seemed to have worked in your father's family in the past, death being the only thing to separate a couple."
"That's a cartouche, isn't it?" Atemu asked, eyeing the chain. "My mother used to wear one all the time."
"Yes my boy, it's a cartouche." The elder lifted it up carefully out of the box, and it flickered in the light slightly. "But unlike your mother's, which had her name on in Ancient Egyptian, this one is blank." He held it closer to Atemu. "The family tradition is to give a cartouche, with your loved one's name on it in Ancient Hieroglyphics. Your parents wanted to give you this one when you started to get interested in finding a soulmate, but they pasted away before they had the chance." He smiled sadly. "I remembered my daughter's story about it, and when I found this in their belongings, I knew it was for you when you reached this point."
Atemu took the cartouche and held it in his hands tenderly. His... parents got this for him? To give to someone he loved on his first date? But it's blank... guess he'll need to go out quick and get Yuugi's name inscribed on it. Wait...
"Yuugi isn't his real name, though." He said, frowning. "What if it doesn't count?"
"I'm sure it will." Sugoroku told him, patting his shoulder. "He may be called something else, three thousand years ago, but here, in this time, he's called Yuugi. Just like apart from a few people, your called Yami, right?"
"I guess..."
His grandfather smiled. "The shops won't be closed for a few more hours yet. Why don't you go get that cartouche sorted while Yuugi's finishing up?"
"Sure."
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Atemu and Yuugi stepped off the bus that stopped at the Domino train station. For their "date", the two had dressed up in somewhat nice clothes, different to each other. Atemu was wearing a dark, redish purple, sleeveless top with bold, blue kanji written across it (it looked like it said "Yami" on it, making Yuugi laugh), same colour lealther looking trousers, two belts (one to hold up the trousers, and one steel looking one for decoration), two sets of belt wrist bracelets with many other black, thin bracelets and one, dark redish purple armlet (made from the same material as his T-shirt?) on his right upper arm and black, buckle shoes. He wore only his puzzle around his neck.(1)
Yuugi wore something he had found it Atemu's cuboard a few days ago (which he had fallen in love with). He was wearing a long-sleeved black T-shirt, and a grey, sleeveless jacket, that hung open. His trousers were also grey, and he wore two, belts also (doing the same as Atemu). He wore a belt collar and white trainers.(2)
"So..." Atemu startled, clearing his throat. "Did you want to do anything else, first? Like the arcade or something? The museum won't be open for another few hours, yet..."
Yuugi had a little thought. What did he want to do? Hmm... oh! Wait! They bought the stuff, just in case, soo... "Can we go to the beach? I wanna get an ice cream!"
The taller chuckled at Yuugi's excited face. They had packed for the day anyway... so why not? He knew he really wanted to see Yuugi without a shirt... Atemu coughed and blushed rapidly. "L-lets go, then."
Yuugi smiled as a grabbed Atemu's hand, making the other blush more. He giggled at his look, and let the taller guild him stiffly in the direction they needed to go, the Domino Beach.
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Atemu was in a somewhat state of shock. His mouth was wide open, butterflies fighting a ribcage battle and a huge blush crossing his cheek as he sat there. It started with having just reaching the beach. They set out some towels on the sand, then settled down. It was fine at first, till he was feeling hot in the sun. Yuugi was getting hot, too. So, what did he do? He stripped down to just his boxers!
"W-w-what are you doing A-Aibou??" Atemu stuttered, unable to stop staring at his chest.
Yuugi just smiled cutely. "It's hot! And we're on the beach. You still need to teach me to swim more, later." Then, his smile turned into a grin. "And you, might I add, are over-dressed for the beach."
The smaller had attacked the taller and pulled everything but the puzzle and his own boxers off. Atemu had never been so flustered in his life! His little double just went and...and... undressed him! What on earth was going through his mind?! "Oh look!" Atemu cried, getting waaay too hot with Yuugi that close. "The ice cream van! I'll go get us some!" The teen was sure he heard Yuugi's laughter as he ran away.
And now... after getting two 99 flakes, Yuugi just stood there, all wet (Yuugi had gone and jumped in the water, just to come running straight out again), licking his ice cream slowly... a look of pure bliss on his face. That little pink tong kept coming out to lick away the ice cream that kept getting left on his lips. Atemu groaned... he needed to calm down!
"Até."
He jumped. How did Yuugi get that close without him knowing? "Y-yes Aibou?"
without any warning, Yuugi's tong came out again, and licked his nose. Atemu made an uncharacteristic squeak and starred wide eyed at him. His blush had deepened. "W-w-w-wha-"
"You had ice cream on your nose, Até." Yuugi told him sweetly, suddenly bounding away. Did he have a small blush too, or was Atemu seeing things? I'm not going to survive... oh, why did I agree to a date? Why did I agree to go to the BEACH?
"Até!" Yuugi called. He had finished his ice cream, and was waving near the sea. "Come on! You promised to teach me more! I wanna swim!"
Stay calm, stay calm... Atemu kept chanting. Oh, this was going to be a long morning...
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Okay, so after he got the hang of things, it wasn't so bad. In fact, he didn't want to leave. Seeing Yuugi look so happy... made him even more happy. Once I'm used to this feeling... I'm taking him to the beach more.
The two were now standing in front of the steps of the Domino museum. They were both holding hands, and Yuugi's was starting to sweat, becoming clammy. Atemu raised an eyebrow at him.
"You okay, Aibou?"
A timid nod. This was one of those rare moments were Yuugi felt small and worried. "Um... yeah, I guess I'm okay."
"It's not going to be like last time, I promise." It had only been a few weeks since they were last here... but he didn't want Yuugi to worry!
"It's not that..." Yuugi started, swallowing. "I'm... scared, of what I'm going to learn in there. Is there going to be more about the story of me and you? What... what are we going to find out? We'll we find that I... did something really bad, years ago? Is that why I was trapped in the puzzle? Still trapped?"
"Shadi told us it was to do with a sacrifice you made, not something bad you did." Atemu squeezed his hand. "I'm sure of it."
With a small tug, they both slowly walked up the steps, and into the building. It was a little intimidating, it being so quiet. But then again, they had spent an interesting morning at the beach, which was crowed for the hot day and came over to the museum moments after it opened it's doors. Being so silent, their steps echoed as they walked.
Yuugi was looking all around him. There many different things, different from last time. Only this time, Yuugi was outside with Atemu, not within his soul room. Atemu was quiet, looking at the items in the rooms as they walked. It wasn't till they headed towards a set of stairs heading downwards, did Yuugi stop, and stare down at it.
"What's wrong, Yuugi?" Atemu asked, stopping since Yuugi did. The smaller didn't answer at first, but them, he turned to look at him.
"I... sense something down there. It feels familiar, and I feel pulled towards it."
The other nodded, understanding. "Shall be go see,then?"
With a small nod back, the two started down the steps, taking note that there wasn't a light there, but light came from the room the steps lead to. They both reached the bottom, and walked on... only to gasp at what they saw.
"Yuugi, that's us!"
They took a closer look, moving forward more. What stood before them, was a large stone tablet, fully intact. On it, was a drawing of two people, both dressed in royal clothes, backs facing each other and holding hands. A giant being was carved being the two people, looming over them. Near the top, were six small pictures of strong looking beasts. As they gazed upon it, a memory, crossed Atemu's mind...
"Please Ari, you don't have to do this..." Atemu began, begging for his little one to stop.
"Then who will, Até?" The smaller asked. He was only dressed in a white ceremonial robe. "This ritual will not work unless two halves, a light and a dark, do this. I chose to be the one, because my holy power with work effectively against this dark being. And..." He smiled sadly. "You are Pharaoh. You are needed far more than I am."
""For my light, who left far too soon"," Yuugi began reading, looking at the heiragliphics near the bottom of the slab. "..."His strength and passion for his people is limitless. Many will not know of his great sacrifice, but for me... I shall carry it always"." He turned to Atemu, who shook of of his dream-like trance. He looked just as shocked as him. "Até... it is us. I... I know it is!"
"Well, I was planning to give you two a call..." Began a calm voice. "But I see now that I do not have to."
Both whipped round to spot a black haired women, standing by the doorway. She was smiling at them, her eyes shinning kindly. She was clearly an Egyptian. "Who are you?" Atemu asked, getting over his shock.
"I am Isis Ishtar." Stated the Egyptian women, hands held together in front of her calmly. "And you two are Atemu and Yuugi. Though..." She looked at Yuugi, ignoring their started expressions. "That is not your real name."
"...No, it isn't." Yuugi agreed. "It has been lost to me."
"How do you know us?" Atemu asked her, clearly put off.
"I know much." She started. She bowed. "And I know you are here in search of answers, my Pharaoh and prince."
Yuugi stepped forward, his confident self taking over. He knew that this person was the one Shadi had spoke of. "Please Ms Ishtar, tell me... what is this tablet? What is is I must do? Who... am I?"
"I am sure you both have learnt something from Shadi, not to long ago, correct?" Isis asked, gaining a nod from both. "Then you both know who you are in the past. I, shall finish that story. A great Pharaoh and his brother did a ritual to create you, the Millennium Child, to regretfully become their weapon against their enemies. This, you had learnt.
But the bit you need to know, only I know due to something I have." She closed her eyes. "After the Millennium Child was used to destroy their enemies, he was kept in hiding, to be kept safe. But for years, the child was growing restless, depressed, empty. The Pharaoh noticed this in the other half, his son, also. He knew the two needed to be together to feel complete, but the child needed to be kept safe and secret. So, at the age of ten, the child was made a palace slave with the background of being in the palace dungeons, in order to be closer to the prince and still be safe.
One day, the prince finally met the child. They grew close almost right away, as they should of. As the years went by, as they fell in love, the prince found out the truth. But, it didn't stop him. It made him fall in love with the millennium child more. When the prince became Pharaoh, his other half became know as the Prince.
For years they were happy, ruling the Kingdom together. But, an evil, slowly growing since the day of the Millennium Child's birth, had arrived at the palace, and set of a chain of events that almost caused the downfall of the kingdom. What these events were, I do not know, but I do know that what happened afterwards... changed history." She opened her eyes.
"Changed history?" Atemu repeated, Yuugi ever silent as he listened.
Isis nodded. "The Prince, knowing there was no other choice, decided to sacrifice himself to save his people. It tore the Pharaoh apart, but did as his light half wished. And so, they began the ritual."
"What ritual is that?" The taller asked slowly. But, even asking, he already knew. He remembered, he saw... something he really wished he didn't.
"This ritual was this; two halves, one light, one dark, are to appear before the an alter, with the very tablet the Millennium Child was born from. With the Shadow magic within the dark, the light was to have it's Holy magic torn away, and it's very soul used to chain down the beast as it was sealed away. During this sealing however, something had gone wrong, and instead of the light's soul moving onto the Afterlife like it should have, it split into seven items. This had baffled the Pharaoh's court. They had no idea how it happened, what it meant or how to reverse it. The Pharaoh wasn't helping matters either. Sensing his light's soul trapped in the pendant, he wouldn't let anyone near it, but the court ended up using the other six after some time."
Atemu frowned. "But, if the puzzle was already complete, how come it was in pieces when I first saw it?"
"A man with a great grudge and wanting revenge on the royal family, had somehow gained his hands on it, shattering the pendant into impossible pieces to put back together and in turn, killing the last shred of hope left in the Pharaoh for getting his light back. It wasn't long after that that the Pharaoh had vanished. To where, no one knew, and left his cousin Seth become the new Pharaoh, placing all the items, including the broken Pendant, in safe places, until the time came for what was started to finish."
"But... I thought they didn't know how to fix the item mess?" Atemu asked, getting frustrated. Feelings of his past life began to rise, like he just found out that something could have been done at the time, instead of now.
Isis gave a knowing smile. "At that time, nothing could be done. It was a vision from the Millennium Necklace, once known as the Millennium Tauk, that told a High Priestess of what was to come. When you received and completed the puzzle, it was the right time. It couldn't have been done till now."
"So... I wasn't meant to be trapped in the puzzle to begin with?"
Atemu and Isis looked at Yuugi, who had been silent since the start of the conversation. She nodded. "Your soul was meant to go onto the Afterlife. But for some reason, it split like it did. Any way of fixing the mess was lost when the pendant broke and the disappearance of the Pharaoh. But, now that the Pharaoh is reborn and has put the puzzle back together, what started all those years ago can now be finished."
"That means whatever Yuugi sacrificed himself for is coming back." Atemu said with a frown.
"Yes."
"And we needs to finish what we started, to allow Yuugi to finally be free and rest?"
"Yes."
"There's more to this story then your telling us."
Isis looked regretful. "I have told you what I can. The rest, shall come to you on your own."
Yuugi looked over to the tablet. The markings, the pictures... "...What must I do?"
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Atemu and Yuugi sat in the cafe, drinking their milkshakes. His was strawberry while Yuugi's was chocolate (was he surprised?). Currently, the taller was watching his little double, who was using his straw to play with his drink. He had a thoughtful, sad look on his face as he stared down at it. So much he had learnt these last few weeks, and still, he didn't seem any closer to his goal at all. Maybe... maybe now wasn't the best time...
Shut up, Atemu. He scowled himself. Your on a date with him. No matter what happens in it, you've got to give him that gift! You promised yourself you'll tell him, even if he doesn't feel the same! And who knows, maybe making him know he's loved will cheer him up...
"...Yuugi?"
"Yes, Até?" Yuugi answered, stopping in his play of his drink and looking t him. when Atemu didn't continue, he tilted his head, the look of thoughtfulness changing to that of being courious. "Até?"
Atemu blushed slightly. "Uh... here."
Yuugi blinked at the little wrapped up box, no bigger than his hand, that Atemu held out to him with stretched arms, his head bowed nervously. He took it. "Is this for me?" A nod. "...Can I open it?" Another nod. He slowly pulled away the wrapping paper, revealing a little black box. He blinked at it again, carefully opening it to reveal a silver chain, a cartouche attached. "A-Atemu..." He picked it up, and spotted "Yuugi" written on it in ancient Heirgliphics. "I... I don't know what to say... how much did this cost you?" He certainly wasn't thinking about what Isis said now!
"No much, really..." Atemu muttered nervously, still not looking at him. "I... my parents were going to give it to me." A swallow. Is now the right time? They were on their date, having finished their meal and having a drink, before they headed off back to the Kame Game shop. Anzu had said that once the gift was given, it could be the perfect time to express his love for Yuugi, depending on what he gave him. And because it was part of a tradition... "It's part of our family tradition, on my dad's side... you give the person you love, really love, a cartouche on the first date. It's supposed to bring good luck and happiness in the relationship..."
If Atemu was looking, he would have noticed Yuugi's wide eyes. Is Atemu...? Still not lifting his head, Atemu stood, put some many on the table, walked round to Yuugi, who still had wide eyes and not uttered a sound, grabbed his hand, and lightly pulled him along and out the cafe. The taller teen was guilding the still slight taken back other through the streets, reaching the park and silent walking along the path.
Finally gaining his voice from the small shock, started, "Até-"
"Yuugi," Atemu began, interrupting him. He stopped walking, turned, and held Yuugi's hands in his own, looking into the smaller's bright, amethyst eyes. "If you don't feel the same, then that's fine, I can live with it. I just gave you the cartouche because I..." He swallowed. "I love you. I probably have since I first met you. And-"
He stopped when a pair of lips touched his own, lightly, in a caring way. Atemu was a little startled, but his eyes closed as he quickly responded, just as lightly. This was his first kiss... his and Yuugi's together, telling each other how much they cared for each other, exploring their love together for the first time.
They pulled away, smiling at each other. Because they were so close now, Yuugi was able to place his forehead against Atemu's, as he smiled up at him.
"I love you too, ever since you freed me. I just didn't say anything because I either didn't know how, or if you felt the same..." He closed his eyes. "I know, your my Pharaoh reborn. Do you know what that means?" He reopened them, starring into Atemu's surprised ones. "It means that, even in another life, even after I lost my memories... I still remembered your love. Your soul."
Atemu was really smiling now. This was one of the things that worried him, from telling him his feelings all those weeks ago. He thought Yuugi would only see the Pharaoh he had forgotten when he was with Atemu but... Yuugi himself told him that though he wasn't the Pharaoh in this lifetime, he was still the same person, and still loved him for him.
You were right, Anzu...
Taking the cartouche clutched in Yuugi's hands, he reached it up and around the smaller's neck, clipping the silver chain. He let it go, and smiled widely as it sat against his chest, glittering in the light. It looked good on him...
"Right now, you only have "Yuugi" on it," Atemu started, rubbing the others cheek lightly with a thumb. "But when we find your real name... I'll have it inscribed on the other side. So you have both names on it."
Yuugi smiled more, lifting his head up for another kiss. "I'd like that... my Até."
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1) Do you own a (English) volume 5 of Yugioh Duelist manga? It has a picture of Yami, Anzu, Jou, Honda and Ryou on the back. This is were I got Atemu's outfit from, though the word looks like it says "Yugis" instead of cause "Yami".
2) This is basically what Yuugi wore during his game of Dungeon Dice Monsters with Otogi in the anime. This is the only time he wears it, but I thought it looked nice on him. Besides, I was stumped on a nice outfit. XD
Mach-Chi: My Ra... I think I suck at love confessions. I guess because I never have done one myself? Umm... well, I did once, but only to answer to a girl I liked's confession... and that was over the internet! If I did a good enough job... then good. -le sigh-
Yay for Keychain games with U2 in them! XD (U2's too cute... I had to keep him! o3o;)
Ra, at LAST! sorry, I've been wanting to get the two bloody together for AGES! If it feels a little rushed to you all, tell me, but hopefully... I've given the two enough time to crush on each other and then become a couple. 14 chapters... I think that's long enough for you puzzleshippers. -smiles- And if you think Yuugi wasn't giving enough evidence to liking Atemu back then... well, we don't go into his head enough to be able to tell anyway, but I think I have by his actions towards his taller double. :)
Hope no one has trouble with Anzu having feelings still for Atemu. Though, you have noticed she's not acting on them for herself, but for Atemu's happiness? This is my Anzu for my stories; Yoai-loving girl with feelings for gay friend, but pushes them aside and does everything in her power to make said friend happy, even with another person altogether. This is how I like my Anzu, so don't worry about her, kay? -nodnod-
I'll be drawing the tablet at some point, seeing as I can't describe it too well. -sweatdrops- Hope I haven't confused anyone yet! More shall still be explained! XD (Ra, it's endless...)
Sorry for any mistakes in the chapter.
Please review! I need your input, always. -nodnod-