Chapter X: Herbs

"Atem?"

He glanced over his shoulder. Yugi was sitting up, eyes wide, and Yami remained fast asleep at his paw. The Sky Dragon tipped his head up and flicked his wings. "Timaeus is going to touch land in a few minutes. I planned to go meet him." He turned back. "He's responding to my summons when Jaden was here earlier."

Yugi blinked and tilted his head. "Do you think anyone else will have?"

Atem frowned and looked away. "I don't know. If they have, no one is querying as to my location. Perhaps they saw them fly off and decided not to bother further pursuit."

He searched his face. "You're usually at the river."

He blinked and bristled, stomach lurching. "Oh…" He sighed and shook himself out. "I suppose I will find out. Stay here. Keep him safe and quiet. I'll be back soon."

Yugi nodded. "Be safe. I love you."

Atem faltered a step, glancing over at him, and then turned away and hurried to take flight. He could feel Timaeus rapidly gaining on their usual rendezvous point. The Wind Dragon hadn't been moving so quickly before, but now he sped as if something had spooked him. Atem wondered, tucking his paws to his chest and straightening his body out to speed himself up. He kept his eyes mostly on the sky in front of him, then lowered his gaze toward the ground after a long moment when he realized he was going to miss his spot.

His stomach dropped. Yugi had been right. His entire sunbathing area was covered in dragons. He recognized several of those who had attempted to pay him homage when he was younger. He recognized the few who had asked his Blessing which he'd pretended to grant and hurried along. He even recognized a few failed suitors who had already lived there prior. One dragon he remembered seeing drift close, smell Yugi's scent marking, and flee as if he were being chased. He even recognized the female who had come to take her sibling's body when he'd failed to return after challenging him. Atem banked, restless and growing anxious, and took a spot close enough they'd see him but far enough to warn them away from approach.

He shook himself out, flexing his wings, and craned his head up as Timaeus spotted him. He waited for him to land as well and bristled faintly as a thousand eyes stared at him.

"What happened?" Timaeus spat immediately. "Who were you fighting?"

Atem huffed and glanced at the others gathered there eagerly awaiting his answer. "Jaden overstepped. I didn't invite him and he landed in my territory." He turned back. "He claims he wanted to see Yugi. I assume because of the effect the weather is having on him. He kept mentioning that, as if he didn't believe me when I said I wanted to come back sooner to check on him."

"Come back sooner?"

Atem glanced at the female sideways. "We toured territories and made contact with the Clans. Jaden is convinced the eclipse is an ill omen," he said, turning back to Timaeus and bristling. "He wanted to see my territory because he's never set paw here, especially with permission, and it's always prominent with nests. He must think I'm hiding clutches. It's the only explanation I can think of."

It was the only one but for Jaden panicking over a lack of control. He didn't have influence over Atem or Yugi. It had to make him sour. It had to unnerve him. He likely didn't know what to do. Atem understood that. He didn't know how to navigate the situation surrounding Yami. He shouldn't have been born. He shouldn't have survived to even incubate. He shouldn't have hatched.

He shouldn't have been spared the edict of eggs hatched beneath the eclipse.

He'd saved Yugi. He knew it. He couldn't explain it, but he knew. Yami had done it. Yugi should have died and he hadn't. Atem had no power to prevent it.

It had to have been Yami.

He glanced at the others gathered about and considered. They'd all come running when they'd heard his war cry. Usually suitors did so in challenge and he was silent when it came to such noises. The last he'd used one was when Seto had come into his territory unannounced. None of them had come then. But he'd assumed it to be the lack of another cry to follow. Or perhaps his combined with Jaden's had been the thing to initiate their arrival. Perhaps his cry atop someone else's had startled them enough to investigate.

It didn't matter.

"Jaden was taken care of. I chased him out." He didn't know what else there was to say on the matter. "He's returned to his own territory, and I do not expect him to repeat his mistake."

"And you can assure us he won't appear to pester us in pursuit of our nests?" another female asked, and Atem looked over to regard her. He remembered her. She'd come to him asking for her brother's body. She'd threatened to fight him if he refused, though he'd merely blinked and told her to remain where she was. When he'd come back, she'd barely seemed interested in the task but for seeing his broken corpse and—shockingly—thanking him. He still did not know for sure what she'd thanked him for. Had it been his corpse being returned? Or had she wished her brother dead and Atem had provided proof? "I've never known him to be so easily dismissed."

"If he is to return, I'll chase him away again until he gets the point. I do not think he will pursue the issue further—or at least not so soon. Everyone should be safe for a moon or two."

A moon or two seemed so little time.

And what if he came again sooner?

Atem wondered for a moment if he should patrol. He could take to patrolling aerially as he had when he was younger, in order to avoid suitors. It was troublesome and exhausting, however. And he was not sure it would be a good idea when he'd likely be distracted by Yami as well. The mounting problems presented by this potential idea made his scales itch.

What did he do in the meantime? Did he leave Yugi to fend for Yami that entire time? He'd get restless and frustrated eventually. He had to. No dragon was meant to stay in one place all the time. And Atem couldn't do that to him. Yugi had to have space from Yami as well. It was critical.

Dragons forced to remain with their offspring for too long often turned anxious and territorial and vicious toward their hatchlings. Space was necessary. Even Sky Dragons had to take time apart from their offspring for the sake of their own health.

His own parents had taken turns watching and guarding the den until they were about a year old so that they were all large enough not to be swept up by a bird for food or caught by a mountain lion or a bear invading the den site. They'd taken turns, wandering for a full day to take care of themselves and then return.

He had been the reason it had taken a year. The other three had sprung up like weeds, growing taller and larger each day. He'd struggled with retaining weight and he'd taken forever to grow as tall. At a year he'd just been big enough to avoid aerial predators, but not land. However, the odds of a bear or lion coming for four dragonets was extremely unlikely.

And they may have been envious and tortured him, but Atem doubted they would have let him die.

"And what if he arrives regardless? Are you going to chase him away even if he shows up before a moon passes?"

Atem turned, mystified. "Why wouldn't I?"

"You tire easier than he does."

He blinked, startled. "What?"

"You tire more easily. You're faster but he has better stamina. What if he decides to simply wear you out?"

Atem tilted his head curiously, staring at her until his eyes began to burn. "I've never been worn down by a challenger. I do not know where your scenario stems from, but I am capable of holding him off should he continue his imposition upon my territory." He shook himself out and curled his lips back with a small snarl. "Unless you mean to tell me something I do not know, I fail to see reason in fear mongering like this."

She snorted. "I did not mean to fear monger. I simply meant to state facts. You cannot possibly believe you alone will be able to protect everyone here. Your region is the largest and your territory only encompasses a third of it. Beyond the mountain range, we'd be on our own."

He bristled. "I will sense him when he comes into my domain. I will intervene then. I do not understand why you question this. I've always protected you before. I've never had need for any of you to interfere with my various suitors and I kept Keith from making contact when he declared war. Who are you to question me now?"

Timaeus bristled faintly when he looked at him in his peripheral. He seemed as if he wanted to lunge at her. But Atem didn't care so much for punishment. He wanted to know. Why did she think it a problem now when it had never been one before?

"Jaden is a God Dragon like you."

Atem blinked, almost stupefied by the statement. "And that matters? I am more than capable of handling another deity."

"Jaden is allied to the Leviathan and Yusei. Who is your ally?"

He stared at her a long moment. "I do not think he shall be able to persuade them into mindless violence against me. And, should he, I have killed thousands in battle. I do not see two more powerful dragons as a threat, regardless of divinity." He bore his teeth. "He has no power over me. He can challenge me if he'd like. I will win. It is simple. I will not be run from my territory and I will not allow him to force anyone else to his will. There will not be war between the four of us, if that is what you worry about. I will not allow it."

"Jaden is not Keith. Protecting us from Keith would likely be much easier a task than a defense against Jaden."

"Do you bring up concerns for the majority or simply for the fun of making me irritable?" he snapped. "I have given my word. I will see it through. Summon me if he should attempt to force himself upon anyone's nest. I do not see it as beneficial to him, however. Yusei and the Leviathan will not side with him. They have proven as much already. Neither lifted a paw against me when we fought and they came to intervene."

The female eyed him a moment, then nodded and got to her paws. "I only wanted reassurance I would not have to hide my clutch as if they were part of an edict."

She took off before Atem could answer. The God Dragon blinked and looked toward the other dragons sitting there awaiting his attention. He sighed softly and shook his head.

"There will be no further edicts—and it will not happen in my territory. You have my word."

Another dragon drifted closer and he bristled faintly as they paused and bowed their head respectfully. "I just wanted to check on your paw. It looks sore."

He huffed and glanced at it. "I no longer feel it."

But he did now. It had come on suddenly, the longer he'd argued with her. But it was there. The pain was minute and came in tiny pulses, as if it had fallen asleep. He felt them in small bursts, but it was not so sore as to be unmanageable.

The others considered him a moment, then relaxed. Only Timaeus's eye lingered on the wound, and Atem knew he was close enough to see the depth of it. He saw the gaping hole of the wound the others couldn't.

"Thank you for your concern, but it is no longer painful and will likely heal within a day or two." He shook himself out. "Is there anything else you wish to know or ask of me?"

His audience seemed to debate for several long moments. And then they dipped their heads and began to fly away. Atem watched until they were all gone, then turned to Timaeus and found himself faltering. The teal Knight Dragon was staring at him as if he were trying to discern what he might have been lying about. Atem blinked and considered him, then fought back the despaired noise that threatened to escape.

How did one tell their best friend that they'd not only lied to three other God Dragons, but also laid an egg of a dragonet that seemed too powerful to exist?

He was barely the size of Atem's paw and yet he had saved Yugi.

And he was extremely suspicious he'd healed the pain in his leg.

Atem did not know how he was supposed to explain it. He didn't know if he should even fathom the idea of saying the words. And all he knew to do was stay silent and pretend the agonizing thoughts in his head were not present, that he was still capable of ignoring the things that troubled him until he could no longer.

He offered Timaeus an awkward smile. "What brought you to me?" he asked instead, because those seemed the only words he could manage. "You don't usually respond to simple skirmishes."

The teal male stared at him as if he had a second head. "That was not a simple skirmish. I heard your cry and I thought you'd declared war, Atem."

He blinked and tilted his head. "It was so bad?"

"I've never heard you like that before. I felt it. It was like my blood was on fire or the sky was trying to collapse. Kris insisted I stay and we wait a while with the clutch before I could even check on you." Timaeus narrowed his eye. "Did he threaten Yugi? Is that why you were so enraged?"

Atem shook his head slightly. "No. He didn't threaten him."

"Then what actually happened? You didn't lose your temper like that without reason. I've never seen or heard you so angry. That doesn't just happen."

"It is as I said. We went to see each Clan and met with every leader. We saw each nest and determined if they were born beneath the eclipse." He looked away. "When we came back, he made a point of saying we had not toured mine and I refused. We parted ways and then I realized he was following me."

"Atem."

He shook his head. "I will explain the better reason for my behavior another time…when it does not sicken me to try." He exhaled heavily and shivered. "I don't know how to explain, so I will have to…try another time."

Timaeus stared at him for a moment, then nodded and butted his shoulder. "Okay. Yeah, it can wait." He licked his forehead. "Jaden mangled your paw."

He nodded and lifted it. "Yeah, it's…"

"You've been walking on it. It looks aggravated."

Atem nodded slightly. "It is." He hesitated. "I rested for a little while and then it…began to ache when I landed. I… Do you still remember the poultice you used on my side? It's so deep I thought maybe I should use it again."

Timaeus shivered, staring at his paw before sighing softly. "Yeah. I remember it. I'll show you how to make another batch. It'll need a few." He considered him a moment, then butted his shoulder again. "I'm glad you're okay, though. I thought something far worse was happening."

Atem blinked and offered a small, strained smile. "No. I was just…angry."

The other male narrowed his eye. "You mean scared."

"Hmm?"

"I heard all the fear under the anger. I thought he'd gotten to Yugi and that was what was going on." He studied him, then looked away. "The valley is thawing well, yes? We'll have better luck finding the plants down there than up here."

Atem nodded slightly and followed him as he led the way.

Yugi almost sprang for his paws when he felt Atem's presence so close. He shivered and went to jump up when he saw Yami tense briefly. The hatchling looked puzzled, perhaps slightly troubled, eyes widening as he tilted his head and looked out the den. Yugi bristled slightly and craned his neck, then looked back at Yami and to the entrance. When he shifted his weight and moved forward a step, he realized Atem must have been with Timaeus. Yami must have sensed and heard him before Yugi.

The Gandora twisted around to shield the hatchling more pointedly, laying with his wing raised over Yami as he had when he was an egg. The hatchling shifted slightly along his flank, crawling forward, but did not try to pass.

"They're extremely bitter, but they work well with saliva." Timaeus paused, then snorted. "Yugi is going to have to do it, since you're so prim and proper these days."

"I drooled the one time," Atem huffed. Yugi could hear them moving now, coming toward the entrance but not quite headed for it. They were moving aside it and after a few minutes Yugi caught sight of Atem's paws. "And it's not my fault!"

"Uh-huh. It's not your fault you drooled."

Atem huffed again. "I was dreaming of food, okay? Leave me alone."

Timaeus burst out laughing and Yugi smiled faintly, tilting his head. "Anyways, little God Dragon, you're not healthy enough to produce the saliva you'd need to make it pasty. So you'll need Yugi to do it."

Yugi bristled faintly. What? What did he mean Atem wasn't healthy enough?

"I'm plenty healthy."

"Not with that wound, you're not. Your leg is too mangled. If you were still living with me, I'd knock you out if you tried to do it on your own. You need to concentrate on healing, not making poultice."

"You worry too much."

"You don't worry enough, Atem."

The God Dragon sighed heavily. "I'm not fragile, despite how much you and Yugi seem to believe otherwise. I'm actually very sturdy. You don't survive so many suitors like I have if you aren't sturdy."

"You're also prone to neglecting yourself when you're ill. If I hadn't come by, what would you have done? Come to see me yourself?"

Atem was quiet for a moment. Yugi heard him halt his movements entirely. And when he craned his head slightly and moved to sit up, he found the Sky Dragon staring at the entrance of the den. He blinked, spotted Yugi, bristled slightly, and then turned around to snap, "Yugi offered to go find you. If my paw is so bad, that would have been the solution you'd have liked, yes?"

"Maybe you shouldn't pick fights with other God Dragons."

"I did not pick a fight with Jaden."

"You struck first."

"I didn't invite him into my territory."

"All this over some land."

"I will explain it another time. Right now, just… Just listen to me when I say it wasn't over land."

Timaeus was quiet a moment. "You know I believe you. I'm just choosing to believe it was over Yugi instead."

Atem snickered. "That'd be a more believable excuse."

"Speaking of your lovely little Gandora mate, where is he?"

The God Dragon went quiet, then snorted as he turned to look over at him. "Extremely close by in our den. He's probably really hungry considering he hasn't eaten in two days and only went to get me food earlier after the incident." When he looked away again, Yugi blinked and tilted his head. Why would he be willing to share den locations with him? Especially with Yami there? "Although, if you'd like to speak to him, he can come out here. I'm getting tired anyways. Maybe you can explain the poultice to him while I get settled."

"Does it hurt that much?"

"No. But I'm getting tired. Between meeting with the three of them, traveling to all four regions, the fight, and dealing with the mass that came to check on the situation, I want to lay down."

Camouflage, Yugi realized abruptly. Yami was bright red like Atem. If Timaeus looked into the den and Yami moved he'd spot him due to the color difference. With Atem inside laying with him, it was far less likely.

His instincts had to be going haywire as well. Between his wound and Yami's presence, he likely couldn't think straight. Every muscle in his body must have been telling him to chase Timaeus off, to ensure he didn't see and find out about Yami.

"That might be the best idea. I should show him which herbs he'll need to replace the salve every day. You're terrible at remembering them." Yugi snickered when he saw Atem's annoyed look. "You brought me poison oak, Atem."

The God Dragon opened and closed his mouth, then snickered. "Okay, okay, I'm terrible with plants. I'm not a squirrel!"

Timaeus laughed and glared at him. "I'm not one, either. I just know how to take care of myself."

Atem huffed louder and glared before his head whipped around. "If Yugi doesn't box you upside the head, it'll be a disservice."

He burst out laughing before he could stop himself. Atem scowled at his friend as Timaeus snickered and came to his side, looking into the den as well.

"Extremely close almost seems an understatement."

Atem smirked. "Beneath your beak would have been a better description, but what fun would that have been?" He got up and hurried over, nudging Yugi in the flank with his beak, and came into the den. Yugi watched him pause upon spotting Yami, but the Sky Dragon shook his hesitation and went to lay with the hatchling immediately after.

Yugi watched them a moment, then sprang out and hurried over to Timaeus. The Knight Dragon was waiting with a small array of herbs in front of him. Yugi stopped inches away and took a seat, studying them intently and tilting his head.

"Oh, that's one aloe!" he said, gesturing with a paw. "I remember that one. I've seen a few dragons use it after courtship fights. When they got burned badly enough, they'd use it to treat that. That and cactus flesh. Aloe is yummy."

Timaeus burst out laughing and bumped his shoulder affectionately. Yugi grinned and risked a glance toward the den. Atem wasn't visible from where he must have been resting. Yami had not snuck away from his father, no matter how curious he must have been. Yugi relaxed minutely and turned back.

"Thankfully the valley has so much variety in plant growth. Most of the medicinal plants I have in my territory die during winter and bloom the beginning of summer. Atem's territory is just diverse enough to support the winter herbs alongside them. I suppose it helps the humans also use them throughout the year and so grow them year round."

Yugi had never considered it before. The humans' proximity seemed a blessing at the moment, though it had times before as well. Atem's placement on the mountain just above the human village had often caused a suitor to turn tail. The calculations Atem had made to be able to protect himself while he was alone and accepting challenges had been immense.

Atem had taken every measure he could. The atmosphere was denser. The air was colder. The river running through the territory was easier to hunt from without traveling far. The humans were closer. Everything was almost perfectly adapted for him rather than his suitors.

"Of course, that's likely sheer luck, considering Atem is terrible with plants."

"I'm not a deer!"

Yugi burst out laughing at their banter and grinned lazily as Timaeus snickered. The teal male reached a paw out to touch a bundle of small leaves that were flat and bulbous in shape.

"This is pyrola, probably the best plant you're going to find. It helps stop bleeding and helps with nerve pain, which I know he has because he's been favoring his paw since he went to the clearing." Timaeus huffed. "Stupid God Dragon."

Yugi snickered as Atem snapped, "Shut up, Timaeus."

"It's probably the only thing that helped him sleep at night when he was with me," Timaeus said quietly, glancing at the den and away again. "He would whimper and curl up and constantly pace otherwise."

Yugi cast a small glance over his shoulder. He remembered waking a few times to that. Atem would get up, pace restlessly, look at his side or his paws and grow further unsettled. He'd do so until he was exhausted and then he'd wait to sleep, as if he were afraid. Oftentimes Yugi would speak to him, tell him different things until he became invested enough in their discussion or story or whatever to fall asleep. From there he would snuggle into his side like a hatchling, pressed firmly against him.

Yugi felt disgusting for admitting times like those were his favorite. When Atem felt so comfortable with him that he wanted so close, that he pressed so firmly against him, Yugi felt as if the world were amazing. He loved him so much, and Atem was still so closed off from pure fear and resentment toward his time as a hatchling.

Yugi turned back. "Seto should have his head removed."

Timaeus snorted and nodded agreement, but continued with the medicinal plants. One was a small pointy bud, with a red inside beneath its outer gray. Another was a knotted bundle of bright green and soft brown plant that looked like a cross between ferns and grass. Another was a small handful of purple-blue berries. There was a small group of hard brown berry-like seeds with a strange gray top. The last bundle was of bright green leaves that looked like water droplets. There was a bundle of much more vibrant blue berries, with brilliant red-gold branches that went straight in a drooping formation. Timaeus pushed a paw toward them.

"The buds are great for swelling and infection. The moss is used to stifle bleeding and helps with infection when you chew it up. The berries are good for blood circulation. The acorns are good for inflammation and bone care. The watercress helps with blood flow and keeps muscles from cramping. The grapes are good for the outside of a deep wound to help fight infection and inflammation." Timaeus cast a small glance toward the den. "The cattails are too far toward the village to gather without leaving for a few hours. But they help with making the poultice thicker and if it's not thick enough it'll slide off his scales. Since you don't have it right now, you can substitute it with pine needles if you chew them properly and use enough saliva."

Yugi shivered. "I'll make sure it heals."

Timaeus nodded and turned back. "There's also lichen you can get from the trees nearer the village. You have to grab it off the ground when it falls and it helps absorb blood, fight infection, and heals wounds faster."

He nodded slightly and searched his face. "I'm going to make sure he's okay." He hesitated. "I promise. He'll be okay. I'll make sure his paw doesn't fall off!"

Timaeus chuckled and butted his shoulder again. "You're adorable." He got to his paws and shook himself out. "Now, to mix it, make sure you use your saliva. It's stickier and will hold everything together far better than water."

Yugi nodded and smiled. He glanced toward the den and froze for a single second. Yami was at the entrance, peering at them. He didn't make a noise, didn't say a word. Instead he opened and closed his mouth and disappeared from sight almost instantly upon realizing Yugi had spotted him. Hearts hammering, Yugi blinked slowly and glanced toward the teal male. Timaeus had not noticed, instead surveying the sky.

"Did Jaden truly try to impose himself? Or did Atem get scared and misread?"

Yugi shook his head. "Jaden has been uneasy for a while now. And he's been challenging Atem a lot. I don't know what it's about. I do know he's upset that Atem doesn't defer to him, and I know he wanted to examine our territory, but Atem refuses. Jaden had to have overstepped. You know Atem wouldn't have struck at him otherwise."

Timaeus growled softly. "I know Atem would never have. I just do not like the idea that Jaden has his sights on him. It doesn't bode well." He bristled faintly. "I don't know if that means he might try to declare war on him."

He bore his teeth. "If he comes after him, I'll kill him myself. Jaden should pray I do not kill him the next time he comes here."

He opened his mouth to answer, then faltered. Yugi followed his gaze immediately, terrified Yami might have come out. But Atem was mere feet from them, looking to Yugi and nodding slightly before turning to Timaeus.

"I wished to speak to you about something one of the Clan leaders said," he said softly. He looked to Yugi. "May I have a moment alone with him?"

Will you go back to Yami?

Yugi nodded immediately, nuzzled his cheek, and hurried into the den. He felt Atem's eyes on him before he disappeared from sight.

Atem turned to his friend immediately. "Honda, the Fire Clan leader; he said the Clan is focusing on war. He said war is on the horizon and the eclipse is a forewarning."

Timaeus blinked and narrowed his eye. "I doubt that. But after today… If Jaden has turned on you for some reason, I can't imagine war won't break out." He hesitated. "I should hope it would not happen. But I cannot say for sure."

"He said it so definitively." Atem faltered and looked over his shoulder. Yugi was not visible and he knew Yami was with the Gandora. His hearts twisted painfully as he turned back. "Honda said there might be an edict to come."

"He sounds superstitious."

"I can't help but wonder, Timaeus. The way he's been so forceful about entering the territory—and seeing Yugi; it makes me nervous. I don't understand it. Yugi has never hurt anyone unless it was necessary. He's always been super sweet. He's respectful—well, he hates them, but that's apparently a running theme for Jaden."

Timaeus snorted at the wry remark. "Do you believe there is a reason for Jaden to come after him?"

"I do. I don't understand why he might want to. But I do. I believe it. He's…he's so forceful about anything regarding Yugi. I don't understand it. And it scares me. What if he does plan to go to war with me? I…" Atem shook his head. "I'm not afraid of him. I'll kill him. I'm capable of it. I just… It makes no sense. What could he possibly have against Yugi? He's never hurt anyone unless it was justified."

"I don't know. But I doubt Yusei or the Leviathan would allow an edict declared on his species or anything of the kind."

"If Jaden finds out about any dragons born today, beneath that eclipse, despite the efforts taken to shield them by their parents, he's going to kill them. It'll be an edict all its own."

"He can't just declare an edict. It took mass amounts of problems and issues from the Slifer, Gandora or Felgrand species." Timaeus faltered and shook his head. "If he wishes to declare an edict, there must be cause for it."

"Superstition is a strong motivator, Timaeus."

He shook his head again. "He goes through me if he threatens you or Yugi. That won't change no matter the enemy, okay?"

Atem wanted for a single split second to beg him to include Yami as well. But to tell him about Yami made his entire body shake. He felt like a terrified hatchling, panicked and awaiting punishment. Timaeus stared at him as if he didn't recognize him, startled and horrified by his tremors.