My Mates, My Life

by MidnightCeleste18

Yugi, Atem, and Yami have just been mated and are happy together. Though, when Yugi's sister, Sakura, comes home, will they stay happy together? Or will she manage to do as she is threatening and tear them part? Find out in the sequel to Innocence caught in the middle.

34. Switch with me

Longest. Chapter. Ever. I do not own Yugioh, Can't be tamed by Miley Cyrus, Sexy back by Justin Timberlake, or Still into you by Paramore, enjoy! [YUGI, YAMI, and ATEM]

Chapter 34

"Yugi, wait! That was really harsh!" Yami said running after him.

"I don't care." Yugi replied taking off running. He was slammed against a wall, grunting at the impact.

"You can't outrun me." Yami said calmly as he held him there.

"She lied to me."

"And I'm sure you've done your fair share of lying in return."

"No, you're wrong. Sakura is the only person I've never lied to. You never lie to blood, that's something my Mother taught me. Lie to the world but not to your family. Your family is all you have at the end of the day. At least, until you find someone to make a new family with. Still though, blood is blood, you don't lie to blood." Yugi explained tears starting to form at his eyes. His anger fading away to what lay hidden underneath, hurt, betrayal, and sadness. His anger had kept these emotions at bay, but not anymore. They came flooding out like a patient river breaking a dam. Yami wrapped his arms around him, sinking to the floor with him.

What he had just said and done hit him like a ton of bricks. He had just cast his sister out of his life. He hadn't even given her a chance to defend herself, he was so angry. He had been a monster. He wanted to run back and beg for her forgiveness to his cold attitude, but she had lied to him. Him, her brother. They promised, they had made a promise.

"Yugi, let's make a vow to never lie to one another." A 15 year old Sakura said.

"Why Saki?" an eight year old Yugi asked.

"So we can make Mother and Father proud of us in Heaven."

"Okay, I promise."

"Me too, I promise too."

When he was keeping his secrets they were just that, secrets, he had never technically lied to her, just kept things from her. He had been careful about that. Never lying, just hiding. But she…she had straight up lied to him just shortly after joining the Hunter Organization. Why?

"Why?" Yugi choked out into Yami's chest.

"I don't know. I'm not in her mind, just yours." Yami said continuing to rub his back.

"Where's 'Tem?" Yugi asked looking up at him. Yami sighed looking down and reaching up to wipe some tears from his eye before they could fall.

"He's most likely casting your sister out of the Palace with a huge grin on his face." Yami responded. Yugi bowed his head, but whether it was out of shame or something else, even he couldn't be sure.

"Alright, now that that's taken care of, what should we do now to celebrate?" Atem asked coming up to them with a huge grin on his face.

"Celebrate by yourselves. I-I'm going for a walk." He said pushing Yami away and walking down the hallway. He waited until he was around the bend before running. He ran all the way to one of the doors leading out to the garden, bursting out into it. He didn't stop; he continued to run through the garden, into the forest, and down the path to the beach. He ran across the sand and straight towards Akeifa's cave. He stopped in the doorway breathing heavily, knocking on the cave wall and listening to the sound echo throughout the cave.

Akeifa came running a huge grin on his wolf form. He slowed down to a trot though when he saw that it was only Yugi. He held up a finger so he could get his breath back as Akeifa came to sit in front of him, the grin slipping off his face.

"Ryou…here?" he asked. Akeifa shook his head, sadness entering his big eyes. Yugi nodded and turned to leave before feeling a light tug on his shirt. He looked down to see Akeifa pleading up at him with those big eyes, making him sigh.

"Ryou never told us what you guys did." He explained. Akeifa let go of his shirt, still looking up at him pleadingly.

"Alright, alright, I'll try, but I can't guarantee he'll listen to me okay?"

Akeifa just nodded before walking back into the depths of his cave, his tail dragging on the floor. Yugi sighed; this had been going on for two weeks now. Whatever happened must have been huge for Ryou to have not come back. Not even once, in the past two weeks. Yugi shook his head turning to leave again.

"Tell him to come home, and that I'm sorry." Bakura's voice said behind him. Yugi nodded before rubbing his arms and taking off running again. Ryou's place wasn't too far from here, and he needed a friend to talk to. He needed someone to tell him whether he did the right thing or not, and Ryou's conscious was similar to his, so he was the best person to go to for this. He burst out of the woods and straight into open arms.

"Geez, Yugi, what are you thinking running around outside without a coat on?" Atem asked. Yugi couldn't really see his face because it was shrouded in darkness and shadows.

"Achoo!"

"See? You're already starting to catch a cold. Come on, back home we go." He said gripping his upper arm and starting to drag him in the basic direction of the Palace. Something wasn't right though, Yugi could feel it. This hand was just a size too small to be Atem's, and the voice was slightly rougher than his too. Was this…was this the mimicker? Yugi took a chance and lashed out, kicking his foot into the back of his knee. The grip loosened as he stumbled a bit. It was enough though, as Yugi ripped his arm from their grip, and dodged back into the safety of Akeifa's woods. He heard a hiss before the sounds of footsteps suggested someone running away.

Yugi poked his head out looking both ways before running out, and towards Ryou's house again. Well, apartment might have been a better word, but it was still Ryou's original home before he met Akeifa and Bakura. He ran up the fire escape steps, and counted the windows until he came to the sixth one. He knocked on it seeing Ryou's head poke out of the kitchen, his confused look took on one of surprise before rushing to the window and opening it.

"Did you guys have another fight? Why have you been crying? You're welcome to stay here as long as you like, Yugi. I know exactly how you feel." Ryou said in rush helping him inside and sitting him down on the couch.

"No, I didn't get in fight with my mates, it was Sakura." Yugi said shaking his head.

"Oh, what happened?"

"I found out she lied to me, to all of us, about breaking away from the Organization."

"She did?"

"Yes, and I said such mean things to her. I didn't even let her explain why she did what she did; I didn't give her a chance. I cast her from my life, Ryou, I told her to get out and to never come back. Was that wrong?" Yugi asked pacing in front of him.

"Depends on how bad the lie was from the truth." Ryou said quietly.

"They wouldn't erase her memories, but instead help her create a better future for her new life."

"What? But she was so adamant about the whole erasing her memories if she tried to leave thing. It wasn't true?"

"Not a single word of it." Yugi said his anger returning.

"So, all this time she's been lying to you? What else has she lied about?" Ryou asked his anger rivaling Yugi's own.

"I didn't care to find out. I threw her little rule book at her and told her to get out of my life, I was tired of her interfering in it." Yugi said sitting back on the couch his head in his hands.

"And now you're here for advice?" Ryou asked scooting closer to him.

"Yeah, do you think I did the right thing?" Yugi asked turning to look at him.

"By casting her out of your life? No. By standing up to her and telling her that this was your life, and not hers? Yes. You both need space to cool down. Every time you see her in the next couple of weeks, you're going to get angry; the point is to stay away from her. Just give it some time, and space. When you're sure you've cooled down try to contact her, and then listen to why she did what she did. " Ryou said slowly and calmly rubbing Yugi's back.

"Is that what you're doing?" Yugi asked in an attempt to be casual. Ryou sighed, standing up and wrapping his arms around himself.

"He took another swipe at me, and this time he didn't miss." Ryou said taking off his shirt and throwing it to the side showing Yugi his back. Yugi's hands clasped over his mouth at what he was seeing. Three angry red slash marks went from the top of his right shoulder dragging all the way down to his left hip.

"What happened?" Yugi asked in a horrified whispered.

"I accidentally rolled on top of him. On top of his belly. I scrambled off immediately but that wasn't good enough for him, and Akeifa wasn't there. He chased me from the cave and towards the border. He took a swipe at me, catching my back with three of his claws officially tossing me out. I haven't been back since I heard him growling at me in warning when I tried to take a step back into the woods. I'm not welcome anymore there. It hurts Yugi, it hurts going these two weeks without seeing them. It feels as if someone stole my heart out of my body, and used it to do horrible things before putting it back where it belongs. Do you think they even want me to be their lover anymore?" Ryou asked looking up at him with sad eyes, tears streaming down his face. He had dropped to his knees and Yugi had slid off the couch to hold him ever so gently as he cried.

"I know exactly how that feels. And yes, I do think they do. I went there before coming here."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I knew in the back of my mind that you weren't there, but my body refused to listen."

"Wh-what did they say?"

"Akeifa begged for help while Bakura said, asked, for you to come home and to tell you that he was sorry."

"I've heard the scenario before, but it doesn't mean anything."

"Maybe…maybe you should wait until after these pups are born before going back."

"You know, I've been thinking the same thing since he scratched me." Ryou said with a small smile as a gentle tapping was heard on the fire escape window. They both looked to see Yami and Atem squatting there holing Yugi's coat up.

"At least they still care about you." Ryou said nodding his head at them.

"Yeah. Ryou I think you should come back with us and get those looked at by Isis they look really bad." Yugi said looking at them again.

"No, I'll be fine." Ryou said shaking his head as the window opened on its own and his vampires stuck their heads in.

"Yugi, play time is over you need to come home now." Atem said sternly. All smooth and baritone, yeah, that was his Atem.

"Yugi."

"Only if you can convince Ryou to get Isis to check out his back."

"I'm fine." He stressed.

"Turn around." Yami said in a bored tone.

"It's fine, really!"

"Turn."

"Ugh, fine." Ryou said turning so his back was facing them.

"Is that blood poisoning?" Yami asked.

"Naw, blood poisoning looks worse than that." Atem responded.

"Well, it's infected with something."

"That is true. Come, we're going to see Isis, and then we shall return you to…this place."

"My apartment." Ryou supplied.

"Yes, your apartment." Atem said.

"Just let me turn off the stove and get my jacket." Ryou said walking out of the room.

"Speaking of jackets, you, in this one, now." Yami said pointing at Yugi then his jacket.

"You owe me dinner, Yugi."

"I'll have the cooks whip us something up."

"I said you owe me dinner."

"Do you really want me cooking?"

"…Better be fit for a King."

"Of course." Yugi said laughing.

"Tick tock, let's go." Yami said impatiently.

"So impatient." Yugi teased walking over and grabbing his jacket and putting it on before climbing out the window. They looked back expectantly at Ryou. He shook his head walking down the hallway to lock his door before coming back and climbing out the window.

"If anything is stolen, your vampires are replacing it."

"Okay!" Yugi said cheerfully as he started to hop from one fire escape ramp to the next. He heard the noises of his vampires' horror, but only laughed harder as he landed on the slick pavement slipping and hitting his head, knocking him out cold. Huh, maybe they had a reason to worry after all, he thought as his world went black.

[Time skip]

"I'm just saying that today must be accident prone human day. There's no reason to bite my head off about it." Isis's voice said cutting through the thick darkness surrounding him.

"Because I've had more human injuries today then I've had in a really long time." Isis voice was saying as it moved closer to him. His eyes fluttered as he tried to open his eyes.

"That was really stupid, Yugi." Yami growled in his ear. Yugi groaned as he slowly opened his eyes and looked over at him.

"How was I supposed to know that there would be ice right there in that specific spot?" he asked.

"It's called looking." Atem whispered from his other side.

"I'm sorry, I don't have night vision. How's Ryou?"

"He's fine. He's eating a meal fit for a King." Yami said smirking.

"I am not! I do not consider broth to be a meal fit for a King." Ryou called out from somewhere to Yugi's left.

"Really? You guys are so hospitable." Yugi said sarcastically as he tried to sit up only to fall back down as he felt a sudden head rush.

"Here, drink this." Isis said handing him a cup full of yellow liquid.

"No, it tastes disgusting."

"You want to feel better don't you?" Isis asked innocently but her eyes described worlds of embarrassment if he didn't just suck it up, and drink the stuff.

"Of course I do." Yugi replied with the fakest smile in the world as he took the drink from her. He swallowed it in two gulps, gagging on the taste of it afterwards.

"Did she give you something that tasted nasty too?" Ryou asked as Yugi sat up his head rush gone.

"She usually does." Yugi groaned climbing out of bed and walking over to him. He lifted the back of his shirt to see the marks still there. He blinked, looking over at Isis in surprise.

"They'll scar, but I need to wait until the infection is gone before attempting to heal them properly. If I don't, it'll cause him more pain than I'm willing to commit him to." She said with a sigh without even looking at him she was healing the ankle of some other human that Yugi had never met before. She was looking over at them curiously though. Yugi bounded over to her, plopping down on her bed.

"Hi!"

"Hi." She said shyly.

"What happened?"

"I tripped up the stairs as I went to clean the Prince's bedroom." She said biting her lip. Clearly she had no idea who she was talking to. He heard Atem and Yami snickering behind him. He shut them up with a pointed glare.

"Poor thing. Well, I hope you feel better." Yugi said patting her hand kindly getting up off her bed.

"Um, thank you." she said quietly.

I sure you hope you didn't give her the wrong impression.

I was being nice. There is nothing wrong, with being nice.

Sure there isn't.

"Whatever, I'm going to get Ryou and I a better meal then broth."

"Better check with the doctor first." Atem said.

"Isis is it okay if I give Ryou something more substantial than just broth?"

"As long as he finishes his broth first I have no problem with it." she said moving towards her study.

"When we asked you said no!" Yami cried out indignantly.

"Perhaps it was the way you asked, hm?" she asked back adjusting her glasses. Yugi laughed as he made his way out of the infirmary. He skipped down the hallways towards the kitchens. He asked for two meals, fit for Kings, and one fit for a Queen. He hoped that the girl was still there when he got back.

After he got the meals though, he was kind of hoping she wasn't. This wasn't what he had meant when he had said fit for a King and Queen. The King's meal consisted of a glass full of blood, raw steak, a dead rabbit, and something else that made squishy noises when he touched it. The Queen's consisted of basically the same thing except where there was a dead rabbit on the King's there was a dead squirrel and something that was still bubbling even though it had been taken from what looked like a freezer to Yugi. The whole thing made him want to be sick.

He walked into the infirmary and placed the meals in front of Yami and Atem simply saying for you. The girl was gone, thank Kami, and Ryou was giving him an odd look. He went over and sat on his bed, and tried not to get sick all over him.

"You're kind of green." Ryou said sounding as if he felt stupid for stating the obvious.

"Were those for us?" he asked. Yugi nodded.

"I'm not hungry anymore." Ryou said becoming green.

"Me either." Yugi mumbled shaking his head.

"Perhaps you should have told them that you wanted three meals fit for a Prince instead?" Yami whispered in his ear sounding as if he was trying to hold back laughter. Arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him into a firm chest.

"We hope you don't mind, but we're going to be stealing our lover back now." Atem said. Ryou waved him away saying he didn't mind. Apparently he didn't trust himself to open his mouth all the way either.

"Morning." Yugi mumbled and Ryou nodded in understanding.

"What about morning?" Yami asked taking his hand and pulling him from the room.

I'll see him in the morning.

Oh no, you're stuck with us all day, remember?

I have to che-. Yugi never got a chance to finish the thought as he felt lunch coming up. Ripping his hand from Yami's he burst into a random room heading for the bathroom.

"Hey!" a loud very girly voice said. He didn't care though; he was emptying the contents of his stomach into a very glittery and pink toilet.

"Uh, that's a good idea. Yeah, get sick in the toilet and not anywhere else where it could make a nasty mess that I don't want to be cleaning up." The girly voice continued. Yugi held a thumbs up to show he understood as another round came about and into the toilet.

"Well, we're definitely not doing that thing tonight." Atem muttered.

"Your Highnesses! I didn't see you! Sorry for being so disrespectful to your mate. I hope there are no hard feelings." She said nervously.

"None at all. I'm sure we'd be disgruntled if a random human burst into our room to get sick too." Atem said waving it off.

"Oh, then I'll just leave you to look after him then." She said as Yugi stood on wobbly legs and went over to the sink to rinse out his mouth.

"Ew." She said before Yugi saw her walk away. He then slid to the ground curling up in a fetal position.

"Poor human, I don't think he liked what the cooks gave him to eat." Yami cooed teasingly. He just shook his head. Yami lifted him from the floor and carried him out of the room with Atem following. Yugi didn't even remember going into their room, he was asleep before they even reached the end of the hallway.

[Time skip]

"But I'm bored!" Yugi complained for the umpteenth time in the past minute.

"Not. Our. Problem." Yami said back also for the umpteenth time as they led him on to the next activity.

"I can make it your problem." Yugi threatened.

"You already are." Atem groaned opening the doors to the ballroom. Yugi ran ahead sliding down the banister and straight into Yami's arms. He set him on the ground, and looked around sighing in frustration as Atem appeared halfway across the room next to some random guy putting up black streamers. Wait, black? Didn't Atem say not to put up black? That wasn't very Christmas like. Now, blue, green, red and glitter, yes, glitter, that was Christmas. Still, something was missing from the room, and looking around; Yugi discovered easily what it was.

"Where's the Christmas tree?" Yugi asked his voice echoing across the room silencing all talk. Atem looked at Yami some streamers in his fist. He shrugged.

"What's that?" Yami asked.

"We need to get you guys some books on human holidays and traditions, seriously. I should have gotten you that for Christmas instead." Yugi sighed shaking his head and pulling out his phone. This called for an emergency. Yugi hit the speed dial on his phone for multiple calls at once, and picked all his friends for this one.

"What are you doing?" Atem asked cautiously.

"Shh, shh, shh." Yugi said putting the phone to his ear.

"Hello?" a large number of people said over the phone before they recognized one another and starting to chat over the line.

"Penny!"

"Rebecca!"

"Hey, baby."

"Remember Seto, tonight we're going on a date I planned. No suits allowed."

"I don't see why not."

"Maybe because he likes small burger joints, cold one."

"Call me that again."

"So, tomorrow night I was thinking about planning a girl's night, you in?"

"Of course! And do you mind if I bring a few friends from College?"

"As long as they're girls."

"What about you Mana? You in?"

"Duh! Oh, and I have a boyfriend!"

"You what?"

"Guys." Yugi said trying to draw attention to the caller.

"I don't care! You're not touching my boyfriend, blood sucker!"

"Maybe I should just plan separate dates."

"Hey, Yugi!"

"Hi, Malik."

"When did you pick up?"

"I called."

"Oh, well what's up?"

"Can you give me a little help in making them be quiet so I can speak?"

"Sorry, I had to wrestle my phone from Yugi's vampire doctor, what did I miss?" Ryou's voice came on the line.

"But baby, I want in on this group date too."

"No! You're not a woman! You can't go!"

"But the ladies love me!"

"Which is why you can't come."

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Oh my Ra, he sounds so hot!"

"Not at all, so what's the game plan?"

"On a count of three the three of us yell guys."

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"GUYS!"

"Yeah?" a chorus of voices responded.

"We have a problem for the Christmas Eve Ball." Yugi said.

"What is it?" Otogi asked.

"They're not putting up black streamers again are they?" Rebecca asked in a bored voice.

"No, Atem's ripping them down now."

"Oh good, that was so morbid last year. Apparently someone was under the impression that Jesus died on Christmas. They left the conversation still convinced that that was the day of his death."

"That's so sad. But no, they don't have a Christmas tree." Yugi whispered into the phone.

"Uh, yeah, because this isn't a human Ball, it's a vampire one where humans attend if they're food sources." Seth said slowly.

"I don't care, we're getting a Christmas tree for this shindig. I just need to know how far up the ceiling is." Yugi said looking up. Yami looked up as well.

"Uh, Atem?" Yami asked.

"About 75 feet up." He responded without hesitation.

"Plan ruiner." Yugi muttered.

"Huh? How?" he asked looking back down at him. Yugi sent him a mental picture of a human ladder with him on top.

"No, absolutely not!" Atem yelled across the room.

"So, its 75 feet up, think we can find a tree big enough if we hunt this late?" Yugi asked sighing into the phone.

"I know the perfect place. I just need to be broken out." Ryou commented whispering into the phone.

"So do I." Yugi whispered.

"So do you what?" Yami asked.

"Nothing!" Yugi sang.

"Atem, he's planning things!" Yami tattled.

"Pull all of it down! What? Yugi, where are you going?" Atem said turning to him and seeing Yugi trying to sneak away.

"Bathroom."

"You have ten minutes."

"Yes, sir." Yugi said saluting him. He dashed from the ballroom and climbed some steps to get to the infirmary.

"Alright, I'm free, and coming for you, Ryou."

"Okay, the rest of you, meet us at the beach." Ryou said.

Yugi knew just from those words where he was going tree hunting. He just didn't dare to think it. He put up a one way barrier around his mind so he could hear his mates, but his mates couldn't hear him. He tiptoed into the infirmary, and motioned for Ryou to be quiet. He tip toed over to Yugi and the two ran off. He used the same path he took up there, making it heavier so his mates would think it fresh. He saw them turn the corner and he quickly pulled Ryou into a small crevice. His mates walked right past him and around the corner. He checked both ways before pulling Ryou to a secret door that he had discovered, that led outside, when he was looking for a room to use as his game room.

"How much trouble are you going to be in?" Ryou whispered as they followed the tunnel.

"Enough."

"Uh, Yugi, we're still here." Jou said in his ear.

"Oh, right, like Ryou said, meet us at the beach. We'll see you there." Yugi said hanging up

"We're going to be freezing." Ryou said looking down at their clothing.

"Oh, I didn't think about that." Yugi said looking down at his short sleeved shirt that said too cute to eat.

"Oh well, we'll just get one of our supernatural friends to fork over their coats."

"I like the way you think."

[Time skip]

"I just don't get how you could have forgotten a jacket when it's freezing out here is all." Penny complained as she took off her jacket handing it to Ryou, and Kaiba doing the same for Yugi.

"We were in rush! I had to bust Ryou and myself out of our boring situations."

"You were with your mates, how bored could you be?" Jou asked.

"We were going over party business, I was extremely bored." Yugi said dramatically.

"I'm not surprised, any party they host is going to be boring if they plan it. They're so set in the 1800's anything else is just foreign." Seth commented as a strange sound filled the air.

"Do do DO do…do do DO do…do do DO do." Seth was rummaging in his pockets before he came out with a slim object and put it to his ear.

"Hello, My King and Queen."

"Oh great." Yugi sighed slumping.

"I'm looking at him. No, I'll be sure to deliver the message. Alright, bye. King says if you don't come home right now, there will be no date for you later."

"We're going on a date?"

"Apparently."

"Oh, this isn't fair. Help get a tree, or be bored all day in order to go on a date with my mates. Decisions, decisions."

"I suggest the date." Seth said.

"No, tree, tree!" His friends cried out together.

"Tell me when you guys arrive with the tree!" Yugi said running back towards the Palace.

"YUGI!"

"I'm sorry, but I only have so much time to spend with them before they leave, and I don't intend to squander a second of it!" he yelled back waving.

"But I don't want to face them without you!" Ryou shouted after him. Yugi stumbled, shuffled from foot to foot, and then went back.

"Alright, but only for you, Ryou." Yugi said wrapping an arm around his shoulders loosely.

"Let's go find this tree." Rebecca suggested as they all made their way towards the woods of Akeifa and Bakura. Atem, Yami, and even Seth may need permission each time they were to enter the woods but Rebecca and Otogi faced no such hindrance, they passed through the border trees as if they had been born and made there.

They walked as a group towards the other side of the woods where the bigger and older trees grew. Yugi explained that the tree could be no higher than 60 feet. They didn't want to dwarf Atem's and Yami's decorations after all. That would just be rude. Eventually they found a tree wide enough and big enough for their cause. It wasn't 60 feet tall, but it was as close as they dared to get to that height.

"We're going to need to pool all of our decorations together for this one."

"No, not mine, Ishizu already put them up." Malik said shaking his head.

"Grandpa did they same for my department." Yugi said frowning.

"You know Seto's going to put his foot down and say no for ours too, and use Mokuba as an excuse as to why not." Jou said looking at the other werewolf who had opened his mouth only to close it again and look away, Jou's assumption being dead on.

"Maybe, we should just forget the tree." Rebecca suggested.

"Yeah, I mean I think all of our decorations are already up in our own houses, on our own trees." Otogi said shrugging.

"Or, we could just get a small one. And steal small ornaments from our decorations and put it on the tree." Ryou suggested.

"That could work." Yugi mused.

"Let's do it!" Jou said his eyes lighting up.

"I don't think Ishizu would mind parting with a few ornaments."

"So, how big are we going to go?" Seto asked

"How about a five to ten foot one." Otogi said.

"Yeah! And we can use Malik and Yugi to measure it!" Penny suggested.

"Sometimes I despise being small." Malik and Yugi said at the same time. They looked at one another before laughing, the sound echoing across the woods bouncing off of trees and coming back to them. Soon the whole group was laughing, until two dark shadows crept up to them.

"Ryou?" the voice was shaky, as if in disbelief that it was seeing what it was actually seeing. All laughter ceased as they turned towards Akeifa and Bakura.

"Akeifa. Bakura." Ryou said formally nodding at them in turn.

"You came home." Akeifa said in a happy voice, moving forward. Ryou hastened back from him making Akeifa freeze.

"I'm sorry, Ryou." Bakura choked out.

"I think it'll be best if I waited until after the pups were born to officially come back. Safer, even."

Bakura and Akeifa both looked down on the ground in shame or maybe sadness, it was hard to tell since their eyes were shielded by their bangs. But tears could be seen, flowing from Ryou's eyes. It hurt him more than he was willing to say by saying those things to them. Yugi wrapped his arms around him, careful of his back, drawing him into a hug.

"It's going to be okay." He whispered into his ear.

"I hope so." Ryou whispered back.

"Guys, we're going to head back. Tell us when you arrive, I'll show you where to put the tree. Come on, Ryou." Yugi said softly ushering him away. As they passed Akeifa and Bakura both shifted into a wolf, destroying the clothes they were wearing, in order to give Ryou's cheeks a quick lick with their tongues, giving them a wolf's kiss. He shuddered from the contact, hiding his face in Yugi's neck.

"Uh, yeah, we're going with them too." Jou said from behind, and Yugi heard two pairs of feet run up behind them.

"What's going on, Ry?" Malik asked wrapping an arm around his back getting a hiss of pain out of him, as he cringed away from the touch. Yugi saw Jou and Malik look at one another before lifting both jacket and shirt up so they could see his back. He heard their cries of anger, and grabbed their arms before they could run back and make accusations.

"Don't, don't make it any worse for Ryou than it already has to be." Yugi said calmly.

"What happened?" Jou asked.

"It was an accident." Ryou whispered.

"I'm sorry, Ryou, but that does not look like an accident. If anything it looks highly intentional." Malik said shaking his head.

"It was, but what caused it was an accident. I accidentally rolled on top of his stomach and when I scrambled off, trying to apologize he chased me from the den, through the woods, and to the edge where he slashed me across the back. They can apologize all they want, I'll never forgive them for this!" Ryou said running through the woods and back towards the beach. He barreled into Seth on his way out, Yugi into Atem, Jou into Yami, and Malik into Marik.

"Hey, what's up?" Yugi asked nervously.

"Isis wants her patient back." Atem said in a stoic voice.

"Awwww." Yugi said with a sad face.

"And you were supposed to come home right away!" Yami complained shoving Jou off of him.

"But Ryou needed me." Yugi said avoiding all eye contact.

"Mmm, but I do believe that Yami and I need you more." Atem said gently kissing him. Yugi fell into it, dropping all his weight onto Atem, and just kissing him back, at least until he was grabbed by the back of his jacket and literally pulled off of him.

Hey! I was enjoying that, Yami!

Hmph! He doesn't deserve loving, he should have come home right away.

Does this mean that that date you had planned was cancelled?

Perhaps for you.

No! I'll be good, and I'll stay by your sides for the rest of the day, promise. No matter how bored I get, I will stay by you.

I don't know, what do you think, Atem?

Ggggrrrrrgggggllllllll.

I think we better feed them before we do anything else, they're hungry.

Alright, and then you're ours for the rest of the day.

Excluding the small amount of time it'll take to show the gang where they should put the tree, got it.

Noooo, you're ours, period. Or no date.

But they won't know where to put the tree.

So tell Malik or Jou and have them tell them where to put it.

Jou messes up the simplest of tasks, and it looks like Malik is already well occupied.

Fine, but it will be the shortest brake from boredom that you will face for the rest of the day, got it?

Yes, vampire sir!

Atem snorted with laughter, while Yami rolled his eyes. He set him on his feet, wrapping an arm around his shoulders that didn't stay there long as he slipped out from under it to help Jou pry Malik and Marik apart. Ryou was just standing there; jaw dropped watching them as Marik kept attempting to slip his hands under and up Malik's jacket and shirt.

"Come on, have a little decency in front of the children." Jou scolded as he pulled Marik away from a heavy breathing Malik.

"What…children?" Malik asked looking around him.

"Well, considering you're the only virgin among us, I assume he means you, Malik." Yugi said grinning. Malik blinked before tackling Yugi to the ground. They rough housed for about a minute before being pulled apart by their respective vampires. They were laughing though, so it was safe to assume that neither one of them was hurt.

They walked across the beach back towards the path leading up to the Palace, Yugi in between Yami and Atem, Malik draped across Marik's shoulders like a dead deer, and Ryou and Jou walking together. Eventually Yugi broke away from them, pulling Malik from his uncomfortable position as they ran ahead to catch up with Ryou and Jou who were far ahead of him.

"Guys, I need to tell you something." Yugi said when he had caught up with them.

"About what?" Jou asked.

"A deal, a deal I made with…Heba. I'm going to need some help to pull this off, but if I can, it'll definitely be an amusing night."

"So, what was the deal?" Malik asked in a wary voice.

"Well, the deal was for us to switch places for the night. You know, just to see if they really can tell the difference between our smells."

"Don't you think your skin color will give it away?" Ryou asked raising his hand for him.

"No, he thought of that, he has at least twenty bottles of spray on skin color. They're not exact, but they're pretty close to the originals."

"I don't know, it sounds like a lot of trouble." Jou said glancing over his shoulder at the vampires who were catching up quickly.

"Oh come, don't you guys want to see him in a dress that I specifically designed for him?" Yugi begged.

"It could be thought of as a little form of revenge, that's for sure." Malik mused.

"Let's do it!" Ryou said giddily.

"Do what?" Atem asked.

"Put the tree off to the side instead of in the middle of the room." Yugi said without hesitation.

"Okay." Yami said shrugging as if that was really relevant as to make a private conversation of. Atem's eyes were narrowed though, staring Yugi down, as if sensing that that had not been what they were just discussing. If he were to put up a mental barrier he would be confirming those thoughts. But if he were to leave it down, then he would possibly find out, so he changed the subject.

"I'm hungry, can we go get some food now?" Yugi asked his stomach choosing that moment to growl therefore backing up his statement.

"Yes." Atem said dropping his gaze and swinging him up onto his back.

"No, Atem, NO!" Yugi shouted as the trees and beach path became a blur around him. Atem stopped suddenly, and Yugi lifted his head out of his shoulder to see that they were in the dining room. They really didn't use it, so why were they here now?

"So we can have that feast that you promised, Ryou. Besides Jou is an endless pit so we figured it would be safer this way." Atem answered.

"Oh." Yugi groaned letting go and sliding from his back and onto the floor.

"Don't worry, some food will fix you right up." Atem cooed lifting him up from the ground and coddling him.

"You're despicable."

"Damn, it's no wonder they made you their King. Even in my wolf form I can't keep up with you." Jou panted his huge form supporting Ryou.

"Wolfie." Yugi murmured as he looked at him from and upside down view.

"Hey, Yug'."

"Was that really necessary?" Yami asked in annoyed voice jumping over both Jou and Ryou to land in front of Atem.

Oh yes, I must keep him as far away from you as possible.

Why?

Yes, why?

He might try to steal all of the Yugi time we have left before we leave.

Yugi time?

Well, he'd be better off spending it with me than you. I'm more fun.

Uh…

Yugi doesn't seem to think so, you've left him speechless.

Only because he doesn't want to hurt your feelings, I'm sure.

Kami, you two sound like you did when I first agreed to go out with you. Vying for my individual attention again are we?

I saw him first!

Well, I bit him first.

You did?

Yes, and if Yugi was wise he'd only want to spend these last few days with me.

Oh, bother.

Why on earth would he want to spend them with the party pooper of all party poopers?

Actually, I was thinking I would spend it with you guys in an even measure, how does that sound?

He's mine and I'm not sharing.

And you think I would?

Apparently not very gOOD!

Yugi was tossed into the air by Atem as they both pressed their chests together, getting in one another's faces. Thankfully he was caught, in mid-air mind you, and held against a slightly squishier chest. Looking up he saw that he was in Isis's arms, and she looked pissed. She set him gently on his feet, before striding forth and ripping the two apart with her bare hands and angered words.

"What do you two imbeciles think you're doing throwing him into the air like that? If I hadn't been around to catch him he could have been seriously injured." Her words were controlled and hovering just above a whisper.

"I think it would be better if she was yelling." Jou whispered into Yugi's ear. Yugi reached up to pet his fur and instead found a shirt.

"You changed back." Yugi said looking at him.

"Yes, after she pulled Ryou from my back."

"She could give my sister a run for her money, and she's naturally calm." Malik whispered.

"No Malik, your sister is ten times scarier when she's angry." Ryou muttered.

"They look like dogs who know what they're being accused of is indeed their fault." Jou said.

"They looked whipped, you mean." Malik laughed. They all burst out laughing

"Do you understand what I am telling you?" Isis asked. They nodded.

"Good, now go apologize." Isis said pointing at them.

"We're sorry, Yugi." they said kneeling in front of him clasping his hands in theirs. His friends snickered around him.

"Uh, yeah, you're forgiven." Yugi said quickly waving off their apology as if they hadn't just tried to hurt him.

"Oh, good." They said hugging him.

"Just don't do it again." Yugi said disentangling himself from them.

"Lunch is served!" a familiar voice said coming into the room. Yugi looked around them, his face lighting up at the person he was seeing there, and before anyone could stop him tackled her into a hug.

"ELIZA! How's the baby?" Yugi asked in pure joy.

"She's fine. She looks like her Papa." Eliza said moving him off her and standing up helping him stand too.

"I've missed you and your cooking." Yugi said giving her a more appropriate hug.

"Yes, I can see that. Now if you don't mind, I need to help bring it out here." Eliza said smiling down at him like fondly.

"Wait, you're coming to the Ball right?" he asked.

"Of course, all staff is invited after they finish whatever tasks they do for the day." Eliza said moving back through a swinging door.

"Are you bringing the baby?" Yugi asked following her.

"Perhaps for an hour or so." She responded picking up a tray.

"Yay! I love babies, they're so cute!" Yugi said rushing to grab a tray and follow her out of the kitchen and back into the dining room, where other servants were setting down trays of food from American to Indian to Chinese to their regular Japanese menu. When Atem had said feast he wasn't kidding.

"Wow." Even Jou was amazed.

"We…we should wait for the others." Yugi suggested over his shoulder towards the general direction that Atem and Yami were in.

"But in the mean time, are you really going to let this food go cold?" Yami whispered in his ear.

"I guess it would be rude." He said taking a step towards the table.

"So dig in." Atem whispered in his ear. That's really all it took, and the four dug in with a hidden fervor, unaware of the smiles of happiness that were on the vampire's and cook's faces that their creations were loved by the small humans and rather large wolf.

[Time skip]

Yugi's eyes flickered again as he tried to put the lamb into his mouth. He hit his cheek instead, shaking himself he attempted to put it into his mouth again. He missed and hit his forehead with it. He looked around, everything was becoming blurry, but from what he could see, Atem and Yami were looking at him in pure confusion.

"Yugi? Are you okay?" Yami's voice sounded as if it was coming from a long tunnel.

"Duah." In all honesty that was meant to be a yeah, but he wasn't sure what language had just come forth from his mouth, if any at all. Before his face hit his plate, he heard a gasp from someone, he didn't know who, but someone gasped in recognition.

[Time skip]

A grotesque hand reached out to him from the shadows, beckoning him forward. Yugi slipped out of bed, looking down he found himself to be in a white nightgown. Not sure why he was wearing girl's pajamas, he chose to cast the thought aside in favor of following that hand.

He opened the door quietly, hearing a noise behind him glanced in that direction but found nothing but an empty room. It couldn't be any more important than the hand he was following though, so he continued into the stairway. He seemed to float as he descended the stairs, again there was a noise, slightly louder this time, from behind him, and he turned towards it. Nothing was there, so he turned and followed the hand again.

Out in the hallway the hand stopped and became an arm, that reached for his own. He felt a compelling urge to slip his hand into the one in front of him, and raised his hand to do so. Again there was that noise, sounding as if it came from directly behind him. He paused drawing his hand back to look behind him. When he turned back he was looking at the mimicker, who seemed to no longer be able to hide behind whatever curtain or veil he had been hiding behind before.

He screamed, his eyes widening, as he seemed to jolt himself from whatever nightmare he was in, for he found himself only seconds later to be looking into the eyes of Yami. He was in the stairwell, Isis and Yami were both kneeling next to him, and Atem was nowhere to be seen. He was hyperventilating; as he looked down to see himself in a hospital gown, not girl's pajamas after all.

This was the least of his concerns though, had it been real or just a dream? Did he miss their date with that knockout side effect? What was going on? He couldn't make sense of any of it, so instead he decided to pull Yami close, and hold him there, burying his face into his neck. He could make sense of this, sense of needing his mate there, to comfort him after coming out of such a horrifying nightmare. Or was it? Was it a nightmare or something that had actually happened but was warped into a dream like fashion? That thought scared Yugi even more. Like someone besides his mates had invaded his mind, and taken control, taken him as a prisoner. His breath started to come out in sharp sounds of pain and sorrow. He heard a shushing noise in his ear. He paid it no mind though as the noises of someone who was suffering an extreme loss continued to fill the air.

"Damn, that thing is fast. He was already in the woods before I could even get a glimpse of him. He then dived straight into the ocean, and I watched in annoyance and anger as he swam away." Atem's voiced filled the stairwell as Yugi lifted his face out of Yami's neck to look at his other mate, the one that had been missing, now found again. He reached out, those sounds of pain and sorrow, which he now realized were coming from him, filling the air as he grasped at thin air wanting his other mate too.

"Oh, Yugi." Atem said sorrow showing in his eyes, as he bent down scooping him up and pulling him away from Yami. A high pitched whining noise filled him as Yami's touch left his body.

"Yami, does he know that vampire invaded his mind?" Isis asked. Yami nodded solemnly.

"Take him to his room, I'll be right back." Isis said disappearing.

They did as she asked, taking him to his bed, and laying him in it. Making a sardine out of him, pressing themselves as close as they could to him, trying to fill, with just their presences alone, a void that the mimicker created within him. As they held him close, they began to understand though, that there was no fixing it. Yugi was going to have to live with this for the rest of his life, or go insane trying.

"Here, this is the only thing that will help." Isis said handing Atem a bottle full of a clear liquid. Atem took it, and looked at it before looking back up at Isis conflict in his eyes.

"But Isis that's…water." Yami said confusion in his voice.

"I've seen plenty of men and women that have been bonded through a vampire's marriage go insane after their mind links have been tampered with by an outside source. I don't want that to happen to him. Sweet, courageous, beautiful, selfless, Yugi. Just do it quickly, the side effect will take effect almost instantly. It's the only way to save him from insanity, because there is no way to live with it, there is no way." Isis said breaking down in tears falling to her knees in what could only be considered heartbreak.

"Here, Yugi, this will make everything better." Atem said twisting off the cap and putting the bottle to his lips. It only took one gulp and Yugi was thrashing on the bed. Something was tearing, clawing through his mind, ripping it to shreds with no mercy in sight. He screamed, he cried, he begged for it to stop but it didn't it just kept him awake as it tore through his mind, searching for something. When it seemed to find it, the pain built up in that one spot somewhere near the back of his mind. He screamed, his body arching off the bed into an unnatural, inhuman pose, before it just vanished, his body collapsing in on itself, tumbling back to the bed. Blackness took him, and never before had unconsciousness seemed like such a great place to be as it did just then.

[Time skip]

When Yugi awoke next, it was to the sunset, but whether it was the sunset from the lamb knock out or the next day he was unsure. He saw Atem leaning against the bed post, Yami was nowhere in sight. He didn't know why, but that unnerved him a little.

"How long was I out?" Yugi asked sitting up. Atem jumped turning to him.

"Only a couple of hours. Isis has a drug that counteracts the knock out side effect. In all honesty, we expected you to be out longer." Atem said coming to sit down on the bed beside him. The look in his eyes was happy and yet sad. Though, what Atem had to be sad about he didn't know.

"Oh, well that's good I suppose." Yugi said looking away from him his eyes landing on a bottle of water on the bedside table. He reached out, grabbing the bottle and fingering the label that said fresh from a spring.

"Is something wrong, Yugi?" Atem asked his voice cautious.

"Have I been drinking water?"

"No, this is Ryou's, he must have left it up here."

"Oh."

"You're awake." The voice was so quiet Yugi almost didn't hear him, but his head snapped towards it just the same.

"Yeah, he is, looks like we don't have to cancel our date after all." Atem replied.

"That's good, I could really use one, especially after not being able to find my mouth because of that side effect. How embarrassing." Yugi said shaking his head and setting the water bottle back down on the nightstand.

"Yeah, I imagine it was, for you. For the rest of us it was amusing to say the least." Atem said letting loose a chuckle.

"It's not funny." Yugi said giving him a half hearted push off the bed.

"Go get dressed." Yami said giving him a nudge. He looked down to find himself in a hospital gown, when had that happened? He felt a faint glimmer, a sort of tick, in the back of his mind before it was gone as quickly as it came. He shook his head, and climbed out of bed heading towards his closet. He didn't close the door though.

"It worked." Yami said in disbelief.

"You had your doubts?"

"A little, I guess."

"Sigh, I just wish there could have been another way."

"He's safe, he's happy, that's what matters."

There was silence, and then Yugi heard kissing sounds, they must be making out. Yugi rolled his eyes, before pulling out a black long sleeved shirt, a sweater with a snowflake print across the upper part of the torso, dark blue jeans and some black boots. He was pulling on his left boot when a sudden and very scary thought hit him.

"THE TREE!" Yugi shouted running out of the closet vaulting over the bed and out the door. He raced, stumbling and tripping at times towards the ballroom where he came to a complete stop at the top of the steps at seeing what he was seeing. He walked down the steps in awe, they had put it off to the side, just like he had planned, right between the two thrones. Yugi walked up to stand in between Ryou and Malik, in complete and utter shock that they put the tree exactly where it was supposed to go.

"Yugi! You're alright." Malik and Ryou said at the same time hugging him, which turned into a group hug as he was tackled to the ground by all his friends.

"Can't…breathe." He gasped from the bottom.

"You know, we'd appreciate it if you didn't try to kill him." Atem's amused voice came from above them somewhere. There was a mad scramble to get off of him.

"Remember, don't mention it." he heard Penny whisper to others.

"Don't mention what?" he asked her as Jou helped him up.

"That the tree is actually smaller than what you wanted." She said looking nervous.

"Oh, tch, like that really matters. Uh, did you guys get anything to eat when you arrived?" he asked shuffling his feet and fearing that they hadn't.

"Yeah, Jou left us some scraps, though I must admit you looked rather fetching with some sort of sauce smeared across your face, Yugi." Mana teased. He blushed a bright pink, making everyone laugh.

"Alright, you've seen the tree, now we need to head out before we miss that reservation we made." Yami said picking him up from behind and throwing him over his shoulder.

"But I'm not hungry." Yugi complained.

"Who said the reservation had anything to do with food?" Atem asked.

"Uh, well you're not the only two who are allowed to assume things." He said back indignantly. This remark renewed the laughter around the room.

"Just remember, Atem, we called Yugi tomorrow." Jou said as they were making their way up the stairs.

"You can't lay a claim on our mate!" Yami said indignantly.

"Too bad, we already have." Rebecca said.

"Yeah, and if you don't hand him over willing, we'll take him by force." Penny threatened.

"We accept that challenge, Yoru." Atem said grinning down at her.

"Very well, but understand that your digging your own grave." She said leaning down into a half crouch.

"Oh great." Yugi muttered hiding his face in Atem's back.

"Come on, we can fight with your testosterone tomorrow. If we don't move it, we're going to miss that boat." Yami whispered in an undertone.

"Wait, no, NO!" Yugi shouted as he felt Atem shift him and the world disappear in a world of color.

When everything stopped, they were walking along a dock. Well, Yami and Atem were walking, he was being carried. He recognized the dock; at least he thought he did. Everything was still spinning, so he couldn't be exactly sure if this was the dock to the Zoo or not.

"We weren't sure if you were coming or not. And don't you know that it's bad luck to run with a human? They can get very sick from it." a voice nearby said.

"Yeah, but he'll be alright. Shall we head out?" Atem responded as someone smoothed their hand against his cheek.

"I suppose, follow me."

Yugi heard the footsteps of someone walking on a hollow surface. A wooden hollow surface, the one a boat makes. He rubbed his eyes, unsure when he had closed them. He tried to open them, but found himself too tired to do so, so he simply leaned against Atem, falling into a simple but deep sleep.

"Come on, Yugi!" Sakura ran ahead of him on the small trail.

"I can't run as fast as you, Sakura! Slow down!" Yugi complained.

"Don't get too far ahead children! They say vampires live among these woods." Sarah called from behind them.

"Ha ha ha, you play silly games, Momma." Yugi laughed turning towards her before running after his sister.

"Yugi! Come on!" Sakura called from up ahead.

"I'm coming Sakura, I'm coming!" Yugi called out to her running ahead of his parents and out of their sights.

"Wait, children! Children, stay in our sight, children!" Takeshi cried out pounding of feet could be heard behind them.

Yugi stopped at the edge of the cliff, watching as his sister ran down the path towards the ocean. Yugi watched his younger self, he knew this place. This was the woods by Atem's and Yami's Palace. Vampires had really lived in these woods, his parents hadn't been wrong, but what were they doing so close to it?

"Yugi, there you are. So impatient, your sister. Come on, let's join her, quickly." Sarah said taking his hand and leading him down the pathway.

"Momma?"

"Yes, Yugi?"

"Why are we at this ocean? Why aren't we going to the safe one?"

"Because we promised you children a sunset and sunrise today."

"Is Captain Jimmy bringing the boat around to this area?"

"Yes, and then we're all going to America tomorrow, remember? This is our last day in Japan for the next five years." Takeshi said as he flagged the yacht down.

"Yeah, I remember. Sakura! This way!" Yugi said waving her down from the other side of the beach. She got up off the sand and ran towards them.

That was right, they were going to leave for America to do some campaigning for the new game that their family was producing. Sakura had been upset about having to leave her friends, so they had made a deal with Solomon, Grandpa, that Sakura could stay with him so she didn't have to give up her school and friends. Yugi had wanted to go though, so they were separating. This would have been the last night they would have spent together for a long time. But that also meant that this was the day, the night that…

"NO!" Yugi shot up, banging his head on the top bunk. He gave a cry of pain, collapsing back down onto the bed. He had forgotten about that. If they hadn't gone to that other beach, to see a perfect view of a sunset, how different would his life be now? Would he bare the scar he had gotten from Sarugaki? Would he have met Atem and Yami? Would he have cast his sister from his life? So many woulds that would never be answered. Choices, innocent ones at best, they are what make our fates, Yugi concluded.

"Are you okay, Yugi?" Atem asked from the doorway.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine." Yugi said getting up more slowly and swing his feet over the side of the bunk. He stood up, swayed a little, and then stood steady.

"What was that?" Yami asked quietly.

"Nothing, just an old memory that I had forgotten about." Yugi said brushing it off and them aside as he walked up the stairs and onto the deck. Before he could make out into the open air though, a cloth was fitted over his eyes, cutting off sight.

"It's better if you don't see where we're going." Yami whispered in his ear.

"Why not?"

Because it's a-

Whatever it was that Yami was trying to tell him was cut off by three sudden, and strong barriers, placing themselves around Yugi's mind whether he bid them to rise or not. He stumbled back, physically, by the sheer force of the barriers clamping themselves around his mind. Someone was shaking him, and since he knew they wouldn't be able to hear them mentally he put a stop to it verbally.

"Stop! Stop! Stop! Something's wrong!"

The shaking ceased, but the hands that had been doing it, didn't leave him. They stayed clamped around his shoulders. Yugi let out an unsteady breath, as he slowly worked to pull back down the three barriers. His efforts were getting him nowhere. Every time he lowered them, they raised right back up, like some unknown force, unseen hand, was tampering with his down barriers. Like someone was still trying to gain access to his mind, and his mind itself was afraid of that contact.

"Stop it! Whatever you are doing mentally, cut it out! I'm trying to lower the defenses around my mind, something I can't do if you're trying to get in."

This time when he tried to lower the first barrier, which was made of steel, it did not rise back up. It stayed down. He let out a steady breath as he lowered the second barrier made of a substance he had never thought to use before, wood. The last was of glass, so thin, so fragile; a simple touch brought it shattering down. He felt around in his own mind for any other barriers, but found none. He reached out towards them.

He felt Yami's conscious, and then Atem's. Slowly, ever so slowly, he brought them into his own mind. He could feel his barriers wanting to spring back up again like a bad reflex. He kept them at bay though, showing that these two meant him no harm. Harm. There was that tick, that annoying scratch again in the back of his mind. He shook it off though, as a headache started to form in the forefront of his mind.

He pulled them forward until they were in the center of his mind. He let the barriers come up around them then, every kind that he had ever thought of at any time. He kept them in his mind though, allowing his mind to become comfortable with their presences, to see that they meant no harm to him, or his mind.

Slowly the barriers went down one by one until only the glass and steel was left. The glass shattered at Yugi's command, and the steel melted. Yugi unwrapped his consciousness from around them, trusting that his barriers now knew that they weren't enemies. Though, why he would ever have someone in his mind that wasn't his mates was beyond him. Was it even possible? Surely not, surely not.

You were saying, Yami?

Secret.

I don't like secrets.

What was that?

I don't know. Perhaps my instincts reacting to something that I can't remember.

Are you accusing of us of stealing your memories?

Don't put words in my mouth. That water, on the bedside table though, was it really Ryou's?

Yes, it was.

Yugi let out a faint sigh and reached up to pull off the cloth around his eyes. A hand grasped his stopping him from doing so though. There were soft steps on the stairway, and a whispered conversation, much too low for Yugi to pick up on any of the words.

"Excellent, we're here." Atem said a grin in his voice as Yugi was scooped up into a pair of arms.

"And where is here exactly?"

"You're just going to have to find out." Yami said.

"I hate secrets." Yugi groaned making his vampires laugh.

"Welcome to our world." Atem whispered in his ear before he was sat on something, his legs spread out, on either side of the strange chair.

"What am I sitting on? Ah! It just moved!"

"So funny." Yami said as he sat behind him.

"Come on, Yami!" Atem said and the chairs were moving. As they moved, Yugi came to the quick conclusion that they weren't chairs but in fact horses. Where the heck were they?

"We're here." Yami said as he pulled the horse to a stop and took off the blind fold.

Yugi gasped at the sight before him. There, waiting in front of them was a sleigh lit up with tiny white lights. Yugi slid of the horse and walked towards it. There was blanket inside, as well as a pitcher full of hot chocolate. Yugi looked back at them before climbing inside. The sleigh was cushioned under his butt, velvet under his touch. Was this really all for them?

Ye-

Yugi winced as the barriers came back up. He put them down more quickly this time. What was wrong with him? Why was he blocking them out?

"Don't worry about it, Yugi, we'll figure it out later." Atem said kindly.

"I do trust you guys. You know that right?" Yugi asked in earnest.

"Of course we do." Yami assured him.

"J-just making sure." He said looking down at the ground.

"Now, don't go ruining this date with morbid thoughts. We've been planning this for weeks, and you're going to enjoy it whether you want to or not." Yami said lifting his head back up.

"I wouldn't dream of spoiling your plans for tonight." Yugi said reaching up and kissing him gently on the lips.

Goo-

Yugi tore them back down, making an effort to keep them down. Maybe they just shouldn't use it for awhile. It still didn't explain why his instincts were acting like this though. It was confusing him greatly, but those thoughts were pushed from his mind as the kiss became more aggressive. Peering through his lashes, he now found himself to be kissing Atem. When the hell had he switched partners?

"Perhaps you should be more observant." Atem suggested against his lips. Yugi grunted in response as he felt his back collide with the edge of the sleigh. Yugi pulled away to place a kiss at Atem's ear.

"When is this sleigh going to move?"

"Impatient are we?"

"Not at all, but I highly doubt you've been planning an idle sleigh ride for weeks." Yugi teased.

"Hmph." Atem said pulling away from him. He wrapped the blanket around all of their legs, and gave a flick of the whip to start the horses moving.

Yugi leaned between them as they wrapped their arms around his shoulders, pulling them closer to him. Now, he knew he had mentioned several times before that he hated being made a sardine out of, so why were they doing it now. Then all thought left his mind as they broke free from the tree line and were presented with a Zoo lit up at night with Christmas lights. It was beautiful, and he was out of the sleigh and rushing over to see the Polar Bears before they could even stop him.

"Yugi!" Atem shouted behind him. He didn't listen though as he rushed off to see the Penguins next. They were doing little tricks, and he pointed to them, turning around briefly before turning back to the animals. The Sea Lions caught his eyes just as Atem and Yami caught up to him, and he felt the ghost of one of their hands grasp at his jacket as he took off towards the new animal.

"Where does he get all this energy from?" Yami complained.

"I don't honestly know, but he's going to need it for later." Atem responded back.

"Well, first we have to catch him so we can continue with the tour. They said we weren't allowed to get out of the sleigh."

"And yet, no one informed Yugi of this."

"OH! Look! There are the Sea Elephants." Yugi shouted out ahead of them shooting off in their direction.

"And yet, still catching him is going to be difficult." Atem said shaking his head.

"Hey, we're the stronger species here. Come on, let's catch us a human." Yami said running after Yugi who had shot off towards a different breed of Penguins.

[Time skip]

"That was…definitely more difficult…then it should have…been." Atem gasped as he and Yami both put Yugi back in the sleigh.

"Well, I think…we've toured…the whole Zoo…now. Though, not in…the way we…intended."

"Nuh uh, we didn't see the snakes yet." Yugi said trying to get up again.

"No." they said together shoving him back down into the sleigh.

"But I want to see the snakes."

"Wasn't part of our tour." Yami said shaking his head. Yugi sent his puppy dog eyes of doom his way. Yami grimaced, but was released from them as Atem placed a hand over Yugi's eyes.

"Now, none of that." Atem whispered in his ear.

"There you are! Have you not started the tour yet?" an angry voice asked from somewhere on their left.

"No, we kind of finished it already. No one told Yugi about not being able to leave the sleigh." Yami said uneasily.

"You broke the rules?"

"Define this breaking of the rules." Atem said avoiding answering the question.

"Alright, scoot over, and why are you covering his eyes?"

"See for yourself." Atem said removing his hand.

"I want to see the snakes." Yugi said putting his enlarged eyes right in their face. This person was quick though; they turned their head away and avoided all eye contact with him.

"Too bad, I have a daughter that has large eyes like yours and I know how to avoid hers as well." they said taking the reins in their hands.

"Can you teach us?" Yami asked.

"No, I think you've got a handle on it pretty well." he said flicking them and the sleigh took off at a rapid pace.

[Time skip]

Yugi stood up on the railing of the boat, his one arm wrapped around a pole, the other spread out from him, the wind slipping between his fingers as he just stared into the dark waters. He never thought he would be on another boat this size at night ever again. The last time he…the last time he didn't even want to think about, but the memories came back unbidden.

He and Sakura were playing hide and seek and Yugi was in the crow's nest watching as she ran around the deck looking for him. He giggled, and the watcher looked away from the horizon down to him. It was a mistake that would cost them many lives. When he looked back up, he shouted in warning, but the warning was too late. They had hit the sharp rocks dead on, launching several people from the yacht and straight into the sea, Yugi included.

He scrambled to stay afloat, having been taught how to swim, but the water here was treacherous. It tugged and pulled him in all directions, sending him flying and sinking deeper into the waves. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't scream, he couldn't find the surface. He was a toy that the ocean was playing with until it all stopped as an arm wrapped around his upper torso, and tugged him towards the surface.

He was sure it was his Father, the arm was strong and laced with subtle muscles. He coughed up a little sea water, but he couldn't get it all out before another wave was pulling him away from the embrace and back into the sea. They should have held onto him tighter. They found him again though, and dragged him up to the surface again. He felt himself being dragged onto the shore, and cries of fear could be heard in the distance. His name traveling on the wind. He was having difficulties breathing and a voice was whispering lowly in his ear, he couldn't make out what they were saying though. His eyes searched for the person who had pulled him from the water, but all he saw was a flash of red before his breathing stopped, his world going dark.

Yugi pulled himself from his memories to find that he was clutching the pole for dear life as the boat dipped and pitched. He jumped down from the railing, and went to find his mates. He found them arguing with the Captain. The wheel having been completely abandoned, which was probably why it was dipping and pitching. Yugi sighed, taking the wheel and giving it a spin to get it away from the rocks on their left, which were much too close for his comfort.

He guided the boat into the harbor, and helped the men dock it. He went back to the railing sitting down on top of it as he looked back into the less deep, but still as dark water. He thought back to their date. It had actually been the best date they had ever been on, and he had enjoyed it greatly, he just wished that it didn't have to end.

He wished this day never had to end. That they could spend forever in this happy moment, never to leave it. He wished the 31st of December never arrived. Then they wouldn't have to leave, and they could just stay here with him. That was incredibly selfish though. He had to let them leave; he couldn't be selfish and keep them to himself forever. He sighed looking away from the ocean to look up instead at the cloud veiled stars.

He heard them, before he felt the arms wrap around his waist and pull him from the railing. He didn't fight it, just leaned back into the familiar touch. He felt lips kiss the edge of his jaw, before hands took his and led him off the ship.

[Time skip]

Time had passed more quickly than Yugi had expected it to. How come it always was that when you didn't want something to arrive it came all the faster? Now really, how was that fair, but the 24th of December had arrived upon them, and Yugi had gotten up early to meet his cousin at their prearranged spot with the girls. This day, it was going to be very interesting.

"Okay, so we'll be able to hear one another, but they won't be able to hear what we're hearing from the other." Yugi said as he looked over the skin colored earpiece. In truth, it actually looked kind of familiar to him, but he couldn't place where he'd seen it before.

"For the fifth time, yes." Heba said annoyed.

"Okay, it looks like the girls are here. You brought your suit?" Yugi asked as the door creaked open. They were holding a rather large bag. Yugi bit back his grin looking at it, but only just.

"Yeah, it's right over there."

"Okay, fair warning, you, I, have already seen your outfit and approved of it, so no complaining when putting it on. Besides, you've done this before." Yugi said grinning and clapping a hand on Heba's shoulder.

"What reason would I have to complain?" Heba asked confused. Yugi didn't respond, his eyes simply glittered with mirth.

"I'll leave you in their capable hands, and Heba, don't forget, we'll be changing places several times tonight until they can't tell the difference between us." Yugi said grabbing the fourth and fifth girl's hands, motioning for the sixth to grab the tux off the couch, and made his way to the room across the hall, shutting the door behind him. He allowed the girls to strip him and force him into a bath. They bodily washed him, dried him and then sprayed the new skin on and waited for it to dry before flipping him over and spraying his other side.

He was about to put his earpiece in when he heard the screech of indignation from across the hall. He snickered into his hands. Heba must have seen the dress, the one he had made. There was no hiding the immense amount of amusement he found at his cousin's plight.

"You approved of this?!" Heba's voice sounded from out of the earpiece.

"I didn't think it was that bad."

What's so amusing?

Nothing.

"You didn't think all this was that bad!?"

"No?"

"Oh, Yugi, I think they made some alterations that you didn't see. Come over here cousin. Have a look at this monstrosity."

"It's not a monstrosity, it's just a dress. Put the stupid thing on."

"I'm well aware that it's a dress, but it looks like someone with no sense of current fashion made it." Heba sighed into the ear piece. Yugi heard laughter in the background.

"Yami must have put in the order."

"What makes you say that?"

"He has no fashion sense."

"Really? How do you know that?"

"He tried dressing me once. I wasn't having it. I would have rather gone nude than wear what he put before me."

"So would I cousin, so would I."

"It can't be that horrible because I highly doubt that Atem would let him have free range, especially in the fashion department. He doesn't even let Yami dress himself."

"Really?"

"Uh huh, I've seen him once or twice pick out Yami's clothes and hand them to him. Though usually this is done while I'm either in the bathroom or getting dressed myself, so it's rare that I do see it."

"Alright, I'll put the monstrosity on, though it's a large blow to my pride to do so."

"Honestly Heba, it didn't look that bad. A simple tux top with a wide full skirt, both in the amethyst color. To match my eyes, I imagine."

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?"

"What you're looking at? Look, we only have four more hours until show time; just put it on so they can finish getting you ready." Yugi waved off before turning off the earpiece. He needed piece and quiet before show time. He put up a one way barrier so he could think. Only four more hours, and then they'd know for certain if they could tell the difference between their smells. Oh, it was going to be so much fun to act like an ass, and see Heba act all sweet and selfless for once. Why on earth hadn't they done this before? Oh yeah, because they couldn't get along. Maybe tonight that would change though, maybe tonight they could start being friends, just maybe.

He shook his head as he allowed the girls to put the contacts in his eyes, blinking to adjust them properly. He hated wearing contacts but it was necessary unless they wanted to give away their switch from just appearance alone. Yugi sighed as he shrugged the jacket on, allowed them to spritz a small bit of cologne on him, and then slipped his low heeled shoes on. He was ready, or at least he thought he was. They handed him a pair of white gloves, a cane, and top hat. He raised his eyebrow at them.

"Really?"

"It came with the outfit." Olivia said. He blinked once before switching the earpiece back on.

"Really cousin? What is this? The 1860's?"

"I could ask you the same question, but I didn't pick out that outfit. Your sister did. Why? What does it look like?"

"Like it stepped out of the 1860's."

"Talk to your sister, not me."

"No, I want nothing to do with that despicable Hunter."

"Whoa! What's with all the contempt towards your favorite sibling?"

"I get having to lie about locations, I get that. But lying about getting out and who knows what else? She can't expect me to forgive her so easily for that, it just won't work."

"She…lied to you?"

"Yes."

"Sakura, lied to you?"

"Yes, Heba."

"Wow."

It was silent over the earpiece as this information seemed to process and take root in Heba's mind. Yugi was just trying to bring down his anger, he wasn't going to think about it. Tonight was supposed to be fun, and fun was what it was going to be. He looked down at his watch and noticed he had three more hours before the party. Now what was eh supposed to do? He supposed he could always take a short nap, like he had done last time. He set his watch to go off in two and a half hours. It would be three before Heba arrived with his mates, but he had to be there a half hour ahead of the hosts. Just like the guests was last time. This was going to be so much fun. He flopped down on the couch, pulling on the gloves, and settling in for a good rest that would never come to him.

[Time skip]

Yugi fiddled with the gloves again as he waited with everyone else at his table for Atem, Yami, and Heba to arrive, only he was the only one who knew it Heba and not him. When he realized that he wasn't going to be getting any sleep, he started to play with his mind link a little, and discovered that he could make small cracks in it to let thoughts out and yet still keep the barrier up so they couldn't hear all his thoughts. This was going to be some game tonight, and the victor was definitely going to get a punishment not worth forgetting.

There was no one he knew at his table, not even Sakura or Grandpa, just a bunch of vampires, and werewolves. Apparently they thought Heba could hold his own. Well, wasn't that interesting? His attention was caught when he saw the doors at the top of the stairs opening up to reveal three figures stepping into the ballroom. He snickered into his hand at the sight of Heba.

He had on a ruffled light blue top, with two large dark blue bows on either side of his upper arms, a large light blue skirt complete with a hoop skirt, that had at least a dozen dark blue ribbons laced into it, and to complete the ensemble white frilly lace coating the bottom to hide the use of the hoop skirt. He was shaking with mirth, as was several others. Ryou stumbled over to him, clapping a hand on his shoulder, he couldn't even get a word out he was laughing so hard. Malik was luckier.

"Worse…summer."

Yugi was still laughing when Atem appeared in his face. He didn't look amused. Yugi didn't know why, the dress was highly amusing.

Why are pretending to be Heba, and he you? He sounded livid over the link.

"What? You don't find that amusing? I'm sorry for laughing at your precious mate, but seeing my cousin in a dress that hideous is just hilarious."

Answer me, Yugi.

"Hello, I'm waiting for an answer."

So am I! Yugi flashed his eyes to Jou and then to Heba. He nodded, and whispered something into his cuff. Heba dropped his head into his hand and his eyes shut.

He can't understand you when you talk like that, Atem. You have to use your words.

I am using my words! Heba's head popped back up, his arms folding across his ruffled chest.

No, you're not; you're using the mind link and confusing the hell out of my cousin.

Don't play games with me, Yugi, I'm not in the mood.

"Okay, I think I'm going to go tease my cousin about his outfit, since all you want to do is stare at me in anger." Yugi said getting up and trying to move around him only to be grabbed around the wrist and pulled closer.

"Why don't you dance with me first?" he asked his voice leaking in just as much anger as the mind link had.

"Shouldn't you be sharing this first dance with my cousin. Last time I checked, you guys had a thing going on."

"I was sure we did."

"Uh, have you hit your head recently? My cousin, Yugi, is over there." Yugi said pointing to Heba. He then sent Heba a look that said he should intervene now. He rolled his eyes and was only able to take one step forward before an arm wrapped around his throat in the form of Yami. He stiffened, his hands coming up, one to grab his wrist the other his elbow. Yugi frowned, recognizing that hold, but where had he seen it before? But as quickly as Heba made the move he also dropped it, allowing his hands to fall limply at his side.

He almost didn't see Atem move until it was too late, but see him move he did, and just in time too. He took two hasty steps back, and smashed his palm against Atem's cheek turning his head away. He felt Atem grin against his hand, his face turn slightly towards him.

"What's the matter, Heba? Afraid your kiss will reveal something?" Atem taunted.

"Quite the contrary actually. As much as I'd love to kiss you to piss off my cousin, I don't want to be dragged around by my hair again and possibly thrown down a stairwell. He tends to get stronger when I try to get intimate with you two. I don't know how, and I don't really care either, I'm just not one to repeat the mistakes of my past." Yugi said lowering his hand from the side of Atem's face.

Atem turned his head to stare him down. He could see it, in his eyes, so faint, barely there, but there none the less, doubt. Now, it was time to encourage that feeling. And Yugi knew just the way to do it.

"Do you honestly think I didn't suggest what you're suggesting now to my cousin? He turned me down flat. Saying some bull about how our different characters would give us away, if our scents didn't do it first. Personally, I would have loved to test that little theory of yours that you can tell us apart just by scent. But now I'm thinking there wasn't even a need to switch, since you're already getting us confused and the Ball hasn't even seen one hour yet. How pathetic, and you call yourselves the King and Queen." Yugi taunted laughing at him. A hand was at his throat, his back against a wall, and his feet dangled beneath him.

"LET HIM GO, ATEM! MY COUSIN IS AN IMBECILE AT THE BEST OF TIMES, NOW LET HIM GO! HE ALWAYS SPEAKS BEFORE HE THINKS, LET HIM GO!" Heba screamed straining against Yami's arm, until he managed to break free and pull Atem off of him. Heba dropped to his knees leaning close to Yugi, so no one would hear his words but him.

"Are you okay, Yugi?" Heba asked. He nodded, words failing him as he tried to regain his breath back.

"Pretty speech, that sounds like something I would say too. I think you did it, I think you convinced them, or at least Atem." Heba whispered just before he was pulled away from him by Yami.

"Why are you protecting that scum?" Yami asked his voice bitingly harsh. Yugi visibly flinched. He had been on the receiving side of their anger before but never like this. Never this cold attitude, he had never been the enemy before.

"Because no matter what else he may be, he's still blood. Come on Heba, let's get you some water." Heba said picking Yugi up off the floor and directing him out. Yugi knew his real intention though; he wanted to get out of the dress. Yugi thought it was a little soon for the first switch, but still after just almost being choked out by his mate; he probably did need that switch if only to feel their arms around him in comfort not violence.

They hastened to a nearby room where the girls were waiting. They grabbed them going straight to work. Washing off the spray on skin, forcing them into their originally intended outfits, and spraying them with the extra scents they should have been wearing in the first place. They had to spray some of the pale skin tone around Yugi's neck to hide the bruises that were forming there, and make up some onto Heba's. Overall, it took only twenty minutes to do this, before they were back in the ballroom.

Yugi walked over to Atem and Yami, seeing their noses twitch as their eyes flashed from Heba to him and back again. Confusion was etched into their eyes, as they stared him down. He stood in front of them tapping his foot, before deciding to break the silence.

"I expect you to apologize for almost killing my cousin, Atem."

"Are you sure I shouldn't be apologizing to you?" he asked back reaching up to tap his neck.

"I'm not the one you deprived of oxygen." Yugi said tapping his chest.

"You missed a spot." He whispered still tapping that one spot on his neck.

"But you know, this explains why you didn't want to have sex with us last night. You didn't want our scents giving you away." Yami mused.

"I thought I already explained that I was too tired for sex, Yami. Besides, you said yourself that only friends, family, and Palace staff would be at this Ball. I didn't find having sex necessary, or rather my instincts didn't." Yugi said brushing it off to make his way over to his Grandpa.

"Dance with me." Atem said grabbing his hand.

"Wouldn't you rather dance with my cousin?" he bit out.

"No, I want to dance with my human mate, and right now, I'm certain that's you."

"Sure, whatever." He said shrugging and allowing Atem to lead him out onto the dance floor. He barely participated in the dance, simply going through the dance steps, but not really volunteering any emotion for it. He would be lying if he said he wasn't still a little peeved that Atem hadn't tried to choke him out. Sakura was on him as soon as the dance was over.

"Yugi, we need to talk."

"Go talk to our cousin, he might actually want hold a conversation with you." he said harshly.

"I'm sorry! If I could take it back and change it I would, in a heartbeat. Please, just forgive me!" Sakura begged.

"I don't care." He said sweeping past her to go stand by his Grandpa.

"Yugi, she came home in tears. She cried for the entire night before exhaustion finally took her. She has messed up on three missions since your fight. You two need to work this out." Grandpa said sternly.

"I don't want to. I'd rather work out my problems with Heba." He grumbled in response.

"Are you two not doing that now?"

"No, we're really just trying to confuse my mates."

"Why?"

"Make the night more entertaining?" Yugi asked more than said. Grandpa shook his head, letting out a sigh.

"If you wanted to make the night more entertaining, why not change the music?"

"Oh, that's later." Yugi said waving it off like it was no big deal.

"Just try to talk to her."

"I don't want anything to do with her."

"For me, try to talk to her."

"I…I don't…alright, but only for you."

"Thank you. Ah! Arthur!"

Yugi watched as his Grandpa went wandering off towards their vampire friend. He looked around the room until he spotted Sakura crying into Mira's arms, with Mira herself glaring at him. Mahad was perhaps a jump, hop, and skip away from them. They couldn't be oblivious to that. Did he really want to talk to her right now though? No, no he did not. He turned and walked out onto the terrace.

"Yugi…you are Yugi, right?" Yami asked following him out there.

"You're not sure?" Yugi asked smiling at him.

"No?"

"I thought you could tell us apart by smell alone?"

"Well, it's easier when you don't switch on us."

"Get used to it."

"Heba?"

"First I'm Yugi, and now I'm Heba. Make up your mind of who you want me to be."

"Can't you give a vampire a hint?" Yami begged.

"No, we're playing a game, and you've already lost. I mean Atem's got a better idea of who we are than you do." Yugi replied grinning.

"Yugi."

"Yes?"

Yami didn't say anything; he just took two steps forward and tried to close the space between them. Yugi was gentler this time as he pushed Yami away, stepping around him. He smirked and wagged his finger at Yami.

"Uh uh uh, that's a game ender right there. No cheating."

"Then why don't you explain the rules of this game to me?"

"The rules are simple. Throughout the night Heba and I will be changing places; you simply have to be able to tell who is who. No kissing allowed. Anything else is allowed, just no kissing, of any kind." Yugi explained walking backwards back into the ballroom.

"Like Atem said, afraid your kisses will give something away?"

"Absolutely." He said turning and taking off into the crowd.

"That's him, Atem!" Yami shouted behind him.

He dodged through the crowd searching for Heba; they needed a switch right now. Or at least something like a switch. He checked his mental barriers as he searched, making sure they were still intact. He spotted a starfish shaped head and went after it, screeching to a halt when he noticed it was Atem. Damn it, why did they all have to have the same type of hair? He disappeared back into the crowd and not a moment too soon either, because Atem turned in the direction that he had been in just a second after he vanished.

When he spotted another bit of star shaped hair he was more cautious in going up to it this time. Thankfully it was Heba, and he appeared to be looking for him as well. Yugi slid up to his side, taking his hand and he led him out a secret door behind the tree. Yugi led him down several corridors before appearing in the room with the girls from behind a tapestry draped across the wall.

"What did you say to him? How did he know it was you?" Heba asked again for what felt like the thousandth time in the past five minutes.

"I told him the rules of our game."

"So you basically told him he's not getting any tonight?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"How did he get to the conclusion that you were you then?"

"He asked me if I thought my kisses would reveal something, and I responded by saying absolutely."

"You know if we switch now, they'll still be able to tell who's who."

"Who said we were switching?"

"I like the way you think cousin. This means I get to spend longer out of that hideous outfit."

"Speaking of, I designed it, not Yami." Yugi said laughing.

"I hate you."

"I know, why is that?"

"Because I'm jealous of you, idiot. You have a score of friends and family who would gladly put their lives on the line for you. I don't even have a Father who would do that for me. He still blames me for killing his wife. And now, you have two, not one, but two lovers who would do the same for you as the rest of them. You get to live in this huge Palace with servants at your beck and call, and your winning nature has won them over already. You have everything, Yugi, what isn't there to be jealous of?"

"You make my life sound like it's so glamorous. So carefree. There's actually quite a lot to not be jealous of in my life. For starters, there's a vampire who wants my head nailed to his trophy wall, because I happened to outlive his mate. The werewolf that he should be after is too strong for him to overtake, so he's going after the weak human instead. Sakura and I are having our first real fight over something that she lied to me about, something very important. It makes me wonder what else she lied to me about. Still, I promised Grandpa that I would try to talk to her, though when that'll actually happen, I have no idea. And my relationship with Atem and Yami is far from perfect. In the past year alone, Yami has broken my wrist twice, tried to kill me, I've tried to kill myself, several vampires have tried to off me, Atem's tried to brainwash me, and control me, my life is far from how you make it seem."

"I guess Sakura was wrong."

"About what?"

"She is the wedge that was driving you two apart."

Yugi looked down, his eyes clouding over with sadness. Yeah, she was, she had been from almost the beginning. There was only one time that Yugi could recall that she had actually tried to get along with them, and even that was short lived.

"But at the same time, she did have a good reason to be concerned if what you say is true about Yami and Atem. And she is so blind. Their weakness is so obvious, and yet she still searches for it." Heba said like he was thinking out loud.

"Come on, Atem and Yami don't really have a weakness." Yugi said looking back up at him.

"Everyone has a weakness. Yours is those you care about. Mine is my Father saying I can no longer take on the Mutou name. Atem's and Yami's are each other as well as you. Sakura's is her family. Everyone has a weakness, cousin." Heba said seriously looking him dead in the eye.

"Um, not to interrupt your conversation or anything, but it's been a half hour since you've arrived. Don't you think you should be getting back since you're not going to be changing clothes?" Olivia interrupted.

"Oh, yeah, come on, Heba."

"Lead the way, cousin."

They made their way back to the ballroom, and immediately split up. Yugi went over to stand by Ryou, Malik, and Jou. Heba went to stand by some random group of werewolves. Yugi saw out of the corner of his eye Yami and Atem converge onto Heba. He smiled; his plan had worked, for now at least.

"Are you Yugi?" Ryou asked in a whisper aware that Isis and Mahad were nearby and well within hearing range.

"Of course, Ry-Ry." Yugi said slinging an arm around his shoulders.

"Get off of me, Heba!" Ryou said loudly pushing him away.

"Yeah, just because you're acting like our friend doesn't mean you can get all friendly with us." Jou added.

"I'm hurt. Yugi and I worked out our differences but you don't think we can? You cut me deep, you cut me really deep just now."

"You did?" Malik asked in amazement.

"Mmhmm." Yugi nodded.

"You told him why you hate him?" Ryou asked in amazement.

"I didn't hate him, I was simply jealous. And really, there was nothing to be jealous of. His life is worse than mine." Yugi said shrugging.

"Yeah, we'll give you that." Malik said as they all looked over at Heba talking to his mates, but only Yugi knew it was Heba. Heba was pointing at him, and Atem and Yami turned to look at him as well. They shook their heads turning back to Heba who looked very offended by whatever was said. It actually gave Yugi an idea, a very mean and cruel idea, but a fun one none the less. Well, at least it would be fun for Heba and him. He wasn't so sure about everyone else.

"Okay, Mahad and Isis are gone, so are you having fun, Yugi?" Jou asked. He should have known he hadn't been able to fool his friends after all. He laughed as he turned back, smiling and nodding, to them.

"That's good, especially after Atem tried to choke you earlier." Ryou said rubbing his shoulder.

"How's the back?"

"It's healing, thanks to Isis. She says it'll scar, but it'll heal too."

"That's good."

"Hey, can we change the music yet?" Jou whined. Yugi looked down at his watch, before back up at him.

"Nope, it's not time yet."

"How much longer?"

"Two more hours. Wanna dance?"

"Sure, but only if you lead. You know I can't dance to this type of music."

"Deal." Yugi said grabbing his hand and dragging him out onto the dance floor. He saw Malik doing the same to Ryou, despite his protests. They started to do the Tango, Yugi leading Jou at least until Seth stole him away, and Atem intervened. As he was spun around by Atem, he saw That Marik had tried breaking up Ryou and Malik, but had been less successful than Seth and Atem had been.

"So, are you Yugi?" Atem asked pulling him closer.

"I don't know, am I?"

"Answer the question."

"After you, 'Tem."

"Yugi, could have easily told you about that nickname."

"Yes, he could of, but do you think he did?"

"This isn't funny!"

"You're right it's not. It's hilarious! I don't think I've seen you this stressed out since you were trying figure out what my sister did for a living." Yugi laughed at his annoyed expression. This was too much fun.

"Can we change the music now?" Jou asked.

"No!" Heba shouted from across the hall. Atem's head flipped back to him before looking down at Yugi in his arms.

"Spill!"

"What drink would you like to be poured all over you?"

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"As Heba, I hardly know anything."

"Gee, thanks Yugi, you make me seem so bright." Heba said in an offended tone.

"Anytime cousin." Yugi said grinning at him.

"So what's next on the agenda of confusing the living daylights out of these vampires?" Heba asked swinging an arm around his shoulders.

"Well, I was thinking…" he whispered his plan in Heba's ear. Heba's expression went from happy to highly amused in seconds, as he threw back his head and let out a loud laugh.

"Let's do it."

"You'll have to get out of the ballroom first, and as you can see that's quite impossible." Atem said motioning to the room. Yugi and Heba looked around to see all the main exits were blocked by vampires. Yugi smirked at Atem.

"Challenge accepted." He said taking Heba's hand and pulling him to a secret exit.

"Where's he going?" Yami asked.

"I don't know." Atem responded.

Yugi pulled him to a servant's entrance that led to the kitchens, and out of the ballroom. He led him through the kitchens and back towards the rooms. He led him in the room, and told the girls of his plan. They laughed in the same way Heba had before grabbing them and forcing them into spate bathrooms to wash them down and get them ready for the next phase of the plan.

[Time skip]

"You cheated." Yami said as soon as they stepped into the ballroom again.

"No, you said I had to find a way out of the ballroom." Yugi said.

"And I happened to do just that." Heba said stepping out from behind Yugi wearing the dress.

Atem's and Yami's jaws dropped at what they were being presented with. Yugi and Heba weren't dressed the same, but they looked the same. Same pale skin, same amethyst eyes, same grins, they were for all purposes and intentions twins. And it was clear that neither Atem nor Yami could tell them apart anymore. The game had been won, with the victors clearly presented. Still, this didn't mean they couldn't confuse them even more.

"Is something wrong?" they asked together. Yugi looked over at his friends, even their jaws were dropped. His grin grew, before his attention focused back onto his mates.

"Come on, you didn't honestly think I wouldn't have checked the Ballroom for secret exits and entrances ahead of time, did you?" Yugi asked a little too innocently.

"I thought of every game possibility ahead of time, including keeping Yugi and Heba and trapped in the ballroom so they couldn't switch on you anymore." Heba added. Yugi looked at him. He was good at this. They should get together like this more often.

"Yugi, it's been two hours." Jou said bouncing from foot to foot.

"Yeah, alright." Heba said taking the remote out of the folds from his dress. With a press of a button I can't be tamed by Miley Cyrus blasted through the speakers they had placed around the ballroom.

"Dance with me?" Yugi asked grinning up at Yami.

"How do I know you're Yugi?"

"Just going to have to trust me. I know that's a hard task, but I'm sure you can try." Yugi said dragging his finger down Yami's chest. Yami caught the hand pulling him out onto the dance floor.

"What do you say, Atem. Wanna dance?"

"No Heba, I don't." Atem spat out at him going to sit down at a random table. Yugi's eyes flickered over to him, but didn't show any more than that of giving them away. It wasn't possible, had they figured it out again? He connected eyes with Heba who subtly shook his head before going to pursue Atem at the table. Sitting down next to him and starting to talk to him.

Yami pulled him flush against his body, gaining his attention, as he started to sloppily grind against him off beat. Yugi laughed, as he placed his hands on Yami's hips, guiding him to grind against him with the beat. By the time he finally got the hang of it the song ended and had moved onto the next one. Sexy back by Justin Timberlake. Yugi rocked with Yami, turning around so his back was pressed against his front. He slipped Yami's hands to the front of his hips. They didn't stay there long as they moved a little higher to his waist, pulling him closer still to his body. Yugi was lucky he wasn't wearing the cumbersome dress; it would have just gotten in the way. As it was he disposed of his jacket chancing a glance up at Yami as he did so. The look in his eyes said it all; he knew who he was dancing with. He flipped back around, as Still into you by Paramore came on.

"Don't get so cocky. We'll confuse you both again." Yugi whispered to him.

"We'll see about that. Though, I must admit acting like you switched places but not actually doing it did throw us for a loop. And this whole twin thing, ingenious."

"Why thank you." Yugi said curtseying.

"You're most certainly welcome." Yami said bowing back before talking his hand and spinning him around. Yugi laughed as he allowed Yami to Waltz him around the room to the song. When the song ended, Heba came up stealing him away and leading him outside.

Once they were outside, Heba turned his back to him, and looked up at the stars. Yugi just waited, he must have had a purpose for leading him out here. He finally turned around a strange, guarded, look coming into his eyes.

"You love them, don't you, Yugi?" Heba asked.

"Is it that obvious?" he asked looking at the ground.

"As clear as a summer day." He responded giving him a small smile. Yugi nodded.

"Then I won't do it. And Sakura shouldn't be trying to either."

"Do what?" Yugi asked confused.

"Break the three of you up."

"You've been trying…?" he allowed his sentence to trail off.

"Yes, but it's a battle already long lost. You can't ask someone to break off the best thing in their life, it's just not fair."

"But why?" Yugi asked confused by his intentions.

"Because Sakura isn't the only Hunter in this family." Heba responded.

---

Dun dun duh! Sorry this chapter is late, but I had to work out a few kinks first. Which I did, thankfully. I was so mean to Atem and Yami in this chapter, I almost feel bad about it. There is only one way to make up for it. Torturing Yugi.

Yugi: what?

Yes, that is how I can make up for it. So lately I've been getting more hours at work, on the down side that mans less that I can be working on my stories. I imagine I'll get more hours to work on FF once the Christmas Season is over, but until then chapters will be limited. Though, I must admit you guys do have a way about you to make me feel loved. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! Also to those who Favorited/followed this story, thank you to you. Please review. Midnight ;p