Prompt III: River

"Are we going toward the river?" Yami demanded, crouching to let Atem grab him gently by the middle of his back to lift him from the ground. His father didn't answer but Yugi smiled at him, nodding, and Yami chirped with pleasure.

He'd always heard it rushing by near the den, but he'd never gotten close enough to go into it. And the few times he'd seen it, Atem and Yugi had both blocked him away from it. He'd been unable to get too close when Atem's brother Seto had accidentally spotted him that day, but he hadn't been so interested then as he was now.

Yugi tilted his head, studying him, and looked at Atem after a moment. "We were going to take you over the water when we flew, but…"

Yami squirmed when Atem turned his head to look at Yugi in confusion. He didn't speak, but Yami had the feeling he wasn't willing to put him down for the moment, and that was why he failed to. "Can we see it? I want to see it!" he squeaked. He twisted his head around to look toward Atem, watching as his father considered the request.

After a moment he deposited Yami gently on the floor of the den.

"I hate to admit this, but it'd likely be safer to travel by paw," Atem said after a moment, looking at Yugi. He lashed his tail. "The moon is full. Anyone could spot us moving about if we flew."

Yugi frowned. "That's fine. We can walk." He shook his head. "I have no problems walking. I just… You can't get into the river, Yami. It's too strong and you'd be swept away immediately."

Yami looked at Atem, fighting a shiver. The God Dragon butted his shoulder gently but didn't attempt to argue and there was no reassurance cast his way. Yami blinked and turned to Yugi and back, then frowned. "I still want to see it! I don't have to swim in it or anything!"

"Just…remember that, okay?" Yugi said a little more gently, the warning note still firm in his tone but his voice softer. "You cannot get into the water."

He nodded after a moment. "Okay!"

Atem grabbed him again, then headed out the entrance, and Yugi followed quickly to get to his side. Yami was held so firmly he could barely move, but he didn't feel Atem's teeth at all. It was odd. They were so sharp and terrible in battle, and yet he didn't even fell them now. He'd never felt them, he thought in momentary surprise, almost laughing at himself.

But then, Atem had never tried to hurt him.

He glanced at Yugi who glanced over after a moment as well. They trotted in the opposite direction of the roar of the water, however, and Yami puzzled over the concern they'd both expressed if they weren't even going to be close enough for him to get swept away like that. It didn't make sense. Adults were so strange. They worried so needlessly.

They wandered for what seemed hours. Yami watched the world pass about in silver, white, black and gray, and spotted a small deer as it took off down the hill in the opposite direction. Neither of his parents spared it even a glance, as if they were focused singularly on the goal of moving to the mountain den and nothing else mattered.

It was only when they got toward the foothills that Yami heard it again. The distant gurgle rapidly turned to a roar and his stomach lolled as he looked around. The sound was like thunder crashing through the forest as they drew closer and Yami's heart raced as he looked about.

The water spray speckled the ground as it came into sight. It was huge, sparkling and spitting froth about the banks. Yami let out a sharp breath, startled but excited, and glanced at Yugi. His father was watching the water warily, eyes narrowed and dark despite the brilliant moonlight. Yugi turned to him with a small smile, and looked at Atem.

The God Dragon let him down after a moment and Yami would have darted for the water had it not been for his former promise not to get too close. Atem pulled him closer with a paw, but it wasn't a restraining motion and Yami was surprised to sense the smallest bit of fear radiating from his father. He twisted his head back and peered up at him, bewildered, but did not question it. He knew Atem was just nervous, as he always was whenever he thought of Yugi or Yami potentially getting hurt, but it passed as abruptly as it had come.

"The river is flooded. The ice melt from further up the mountainside caused the river to swell, so the water is higher than usual." He watched Yami with his head tilted. He nudged his shoulder gently. "Just stay calm even if you get wet."

Yami straightened purposefully and growled, "I'm half Sky Dragon!" Yugi snickered behind him, licking his cheek, and Yami squeaked softly in protest. He turned back to Atem, who was smirking at him playfully. "How do you swim?"

Atem narrowed his eyes. "You won't need to."

"I know but how?"

A moment passed before Atem nodded slowly. "You move your paws as if you were trotting," he said finally, and Yami wondered if he knew exactly what he was planning. "But you lift your paws higher and keep your head up so that it stays above water."

Yami nodded and purred, and arched his spine to let Atem grab him once more. Yugi considered them a moment, then took to jumping across the stones that just barely jutted over the water. He landed on the other side, flicking water from his paws, and immediately turned around to watch them. Atem grunted, a wordless question of whether he was ready, and Yami nodded eagerly.

Atem stepped to the spot behind the stones Yugi had utilized, and Yami realized he was using them as a barrier, as if he were afraid he might drop him. If he hit the stone, Atem and Yugi had a better chance of catching him before the water did.

Yami raised his head and kicked his legs, pedaling them rapidly, and Yugi burst into laughter, tilting his head and watching him. Atem smirked and chuckled, his tongue tickling his back, but his grip did not lessen. Yami felt water spray his paws and almost purred. It was cold and gentle against his scales, almost as if it were caressing him. He continued kicking until they got to the other side, Atem swimming slower to give him more time to pretend.

When they got to the other bank, Atem placed him down and butted his rump. "You'll be an amazing swimmer," he snickered, and Yugi grinned wider than ever at the two of them. Yami raised his head, purring, and ran around in a couple of circles to show off. Atem chuckled and grabbed him again after a moment, and Yugi fell into step at his side once more.