Author's Note: I cried while writing last chapter. Now, I miss Seto. TT_TT
Someone premieres this chapter! Who is it, you may ask? You'll have to read to find out!
Sorry for the late update. Chapters will be consecutive from now on. Enjoy. ^^
Chapter 24
The pair were walking towards the entrance of the palace, not that Yugi noticed. She was fully occupied examining everything about the stranger whose hand was wrapped protectively around hers. The young man didn't seem to notice he was being observed, or more likely, he didn't care. He looked very serious at the moment, his eyes placed directly on the way before them.
I know him… Yugi thought as she inspected the stranger, His voice seemed very familiar when I first heard him, but then I forgot all about it when he offered to bring me to Atem… But I can't shake this feeling that I know him! From where have I heard his voice before?
"I realize you've just received your sight, but staring is impolite, Yugi."
Yugi's eyes widened. She took her hand back and stopped in the middle of the hallway, questioning suspiciously, "How do you know my name?"
The young man seemed prepared for this and justified, "The entire kingdom knows your name by now, Yugi."
"But you forgot to put my title before it," Yugi referenced the stranger's casual way of referring to her.
Now he appeared a little panicked.
And Yugi was convinced she knew why.
"Wait, I know!" She hugged him. "You're Atem. You were trying to see if I'd recognize you, right? Well, I did. So you can stop pretending that you're someone else now."
A smile spread across 'Atem's' face, and he returned the hug from Yugi.
"I can't fool you, can I, Yugi?"
-transition-
Akunumkanon and Isis were walking slowly through the palace, side by side and in deep conversation. The priestess's limbs flailed wildly as if she was narrating a wild fishing trip, whereas the Pharaoh was almost motionless, his hand resting over his lips as he listened intently to the Item Bearer.
"Why didn't you tell me about this sooner, Isis?" the Pharaoh questioned, his hand still acting as a veil over his mouth, his words muffled.
Isis answered to this frantically: "I told you, my Pharaoh! I was interrupted when all the chaos began!"
"And when was that exactly?" Akunumkanon inquired bitterly, "Just a few weeks ago or our entire lives?"
Isis sighed. She didn't bother to answer the question; it was obviously rhetorical.
The Pharaoh picked up again, "But if I had known this might happen…" He trailed off, his eyes distant. Isis waited patiently for the king to finish. Finally, he did. "… Well, our plans would have been constructed a little differently, that is certain."
"What happened?"
The pair jumped, realizing Atem had found them and was standing directly in front of their noses, the Prince's expression solemn. The Pharaoh and Isis exchanged glances before plastering deceiving smiles on their faces in a vain attempt to calm Atem's nerves.
"It's nothing to be concerned about-" Atem's eyes narrowed at the obvious lie. "-but Isis received a vision that would have been more helpful if we had known about it earlier."
Atem shifted his gaze to Isis, the priestess going white at the intensity of it. "What was your vision, Isis?" he asked simply in a voice that didn't just ask for- but demanded- an answer.
Cerulean irises lowered guiltily.
The Pharaoh sensed her inability to report the news and took it upon himself to inform his son. "Atem," he began, "It would be in our best interest as to locate Lady Yugi right away."
Atem's eyes widened in shock and then narrowed dangerously in one wave-like movement. "Are you saying Yugi's missing?" His tone whipped around like fickle fire, wanting to incinerate anything in its path.
"That's not proven yet, but yes, there is a good chance…" Akunumkanon's gaze dropped as well.
"How could you let this happen?" Atem's tone was accusative, the fire in his voice and eyes growing with every second.
"It's not the Pharaoh's fault!" Isis finally spoke up. Her gaze finally evened with Atem's, and she briefed, "In short, I obtained a vision that Lady Yugi could be captured by her brother shortly if certain precautions were not taken. I tried to warn the Pharaoh, but unfortunately, this was no simple task when he was becoming so popular as of late." To this comment, Akunumkanon simply shook his head with some slight amusement. "Now, I am afraid we are too late…" Isis bent her head in shame. "Please forgive me, my Prince."
"I have no time to forgive you!" Isis flinched at this. Atem instantly knew he would regret letting his anger get the best of him, but now was not the time for feeble apologies, and Isis should have known that. Atem turned to his father rapidly, trying to cast anything unimportant from his mind. He questioned the Pharaoh: "Has everyone been brought up to date?"
"Yes," he confirmed, "The guards and spies are on a desperate search. We are doing all we can to find her."
"I will search as well," Atem decided immediately. He turned to leave.
"No, my Prince, you can't!" Isis bit her lip but reluctantly continued softly, "Yami could be anywhere in the palace, and it is not safe."
"'Not safe'?" Atem's voice was mocking. He saw from the corner of his eye that the priestess winced a second time as if he had physically slapped her. Atem turned away from both her and the Pharaoh, hiding the frustrated tears that had formed under a shadow that had halved the top half of his face. After a moment of silence, he stated quietly, "I'm going to look for Yugi. I suggest you do the same. If Yami has gotten to her, there's no telling what his next move will be…" His shoulders relaxed, and his eyes crimson eyes glowed in the shadow. "I will find her."
He left.
As soon as he disappeared from sight, Isis clasped her hands together and dropped to her knees, (much to Akunumkanon's surprise.) She whispered as she gazed up at the ceiling, "Please let Prince Atem be right. Please let him find her… before my vision becomes reality."
-transition-
Atem certainly had the advantage when it came to finding Yugi. He had already been searching the palace for the Pharaoh and Isis, so at least he knew where not to look.
Now, if I were the insane Yami Motou and wanted to sneak out of the palace with my blind sister, how would I accomplish this?
A hasty retreat out the back seemed most logical, but Atem just couldn't imagine Yami would slip through a crack like a coward. He'd more likely want everyone to know of this victory, and later, brag about it. So he'd want a good story. Atem could picture him boasting: "Yes, I walked right out of the palace entrance, and nobody stopped me! It is shameful what you can get past the royal court these days…" Yes, that sounded exactly like Yami.
As he thought this, Atem sub-consciously began to hike towards the front of the palace. When he reached the very end of the long hallway that led to the front gates, he spotted Yami.
And his theory was correct.
Yami was walking in plain sight. It was a wonder nobody stopped him! But then Atem realized why this was.
Yami was dressed like Prince Atem himself.
The older Motou had borrowed some of Atem's wardrobe and trinkets, just enough to look authentic. Even his complexion had been copied, how, the Prince could not fathom. The only difference between them was the fact that Yami did not have-
Atem's eyes widened in panic.
The Puzzle. Yami had the Puzzle. Atem had had it stashed away in Priest Seto's room for safe keeping while Yami was within the walls. What had he done to Seto to steal it away?
Atem pushed this thought away as his eyes fell on Yugi. She was being led by Yami, her hand being grasped tightly by Yami's possessive one. She was tripping slightly to keep with Yami's fast pace. And her expression was not one of panic at all. It was almost peaceful, like she thought nothing in the world could hurt her. It was obvious she thought him to be him, and this outraged Atem. He had to correct this immediately.
"Yugi!"
Yugi swerved around at the call of her name, blinking at a new, and yet familiar face. Yami didn't let go of Yugi's hand. If anything, his grip tightened. Yugi cocked her head to the side inquisitively as she questioned slowly, "Atem…?"
Atem nodded, irate deep red eyes glaring over her at Yami.
"Imposter!" 'Atem' instantly accused, pointing at Atem. "This is Yami, Yugi! He's pretending to be me!"
"Ridiculous!" Atem snapped, "You may have stolen some of my clothes, possessions, and puzzle, but no one can take my identity!"
Yugi looked from Atem to 'Atem'. It was then that Atem took notice of Yugi's clear eyes.
"Yugi, you can see!" Atem exclaimed and hugged her. She tensed under the embrace, still afraid he might not be the right Atem.
"Let go of Yugi!" 'Atem' snarled, pulling her out of Atem's arms rather harshly. "Of course she can see! It is my council that saw this through."
"Snake of deception!" Atem labeled him, his jaw clenched. He looked pleadingly at Yugi, his face softening. "Yugi, please, you must know it's me. I don't know how to prove it to you, but you must!"
"See, he has no proof." 'Atem' smirked. "Whereas I have." He held up the puzzle on its thin thread. "The Millennium Puzzle is proof enough."
"No, Yugi, Yami stole the Millennium Puzzle from me! I had it kept in Priest Seto's chambers to keep it from harm." Atem narrowed his eyes at 'Atem', hissing, "What have you done with Seto?"
'Atem' blinked innocently before disputing, "I should be asking you that question. What have you done to my loyal Item Bearer and friend?"
"You two were never on good terms, Yami! You have no right to call him 'friend!'" Atem growled.
Yugi's lip quivered, perturbed tears forming in her eyes. She wanted to believe them both- but she knew one was deceiving her. She tried to think of something to ask them that only Atem would know, but her head felt heavy and clouded, as if she was trying to search for ideas in thick haze. She closed her eyes to try to focus, but nothing seemed to be working.
So she prayed.
Please send an angel my way, heavenly beings. Anything… Please! Yugi repeated those same phrases a few more times until she finally decided it was hopeless.
But, when she opened her eyes, she gasped at the sight she was met with.
"Oh my, two Prince Atem's? I'm afraid this'll complicate the plans I had to spend time with just one of you…" a stranger teased.
Atem's fury instantly vanished. "Ryou? What are you doing here?"
"Ryou…" 'Atem' echoed.
"What? I know I've been away a long time, Prince Atem, but you honestly haven't forgotten about me, have you?" Ryou smiled at his inside joke.
Yugi couldn't believe it. This "Ryou" must have been the angel she prayed for to help her! It had to be true! He had ivory skin and a flurry of white hair. He certainly looked like an angel. So why should she think anything different?
"I haven't seen you since we were children…" Atem's expression was hard to read. "When did you get back?"
"Just now," Ryou admitted with a chuckle. "I'd thought I would visit my royal friend before doing anything else."
"I'm glad you did," Atem replied, a small smile resting on his lips.
Yugi internally cheered for "Ryou". The Atem that was conversing with him was, without a doubt, the real Atem. She could have hugged Ryou for an innumerable amount of time.
"I'd hate to intrude on your personal matters, Prince Atem, but the other Prince Atem has disappeared," Ryou informed, some dejection infiltrating his tone.
Yugi and Atem spun around, seeing that Ryou's words were indeed true.
Yami was gone again.
"A shame, too…" Ryou sounded genuinely heartbroken. "… I was so interested in meeting this other Prince Atem and seeing how alike you two truly were. Oh well, I suppose it's just one loss when there is all the world to gain." He turned to Yugi, that pleasant smile making his way onto his features once again. "Like you, young-lady-of-whom-I've-never-met-before. I'd like to learn about you."
Color infiltrated Yugi's face at Ryou's politeness, and she stated, "I'm Lady Yugi Motou." Usually, she wouldn't introduce herself with her full title, but it just seemed necessary in the presence of someone as well mannered as Ryou.
"I'd wish you two to continue these introductions after we find Yami," Atem intercepted, running a hand through his hair with a sigh.
Yugi remembered that Yami had escaped them and nodded solemnly.
"Has something extensive happened while I've been gone?" Ryou inquired, looking hurt at not being included in the loop.
Yugi giggled, and Atem sighed again. The Prince resolved, "It's too long of a story for now, Ryou. Yugi, let's go find my father and tell him you're all right."
"Yes." She took Atem's hand and began to trek with him back to inform the Pharaoh. Yugi turned as she walked and told Ryou, "You can come, too, if you'd like, Lord Ryou."
"No need for the 'Lord', but I'll take that offer," Ryou agreed. He trotted behind the couple, enlightening, "I haven't seen the Pharaoh in the longest time. I'm glad I get to see the Pharaoh on good terms this time."
Author's Note: I finally end on something that isn't a killer cliffhanger! Hooray!
Is Seto coming back? Where'd Yami sneak off to? And what did Ryou mean by seeing the Pharaoh on "good terms this time"? Find out in the next installment of Blind In a Sense!
In other words: Please review.