Chapter XXXV: Warning

"And you're sure you want to do this?"

Yami would have huffed if he didn't know why Yugi was so scared. Exposing himself was dangerous, even with the story they'd come up with to explain why he was there and his presence with Atem and Yugi. If nothing else came of it, at least Yami could say he'd tried.

He wasn't even sure what Seto had thought he would be capable of doing to solve the problem. All he'd read from his aura was his vanity and his mind had only been condescension and frustration toward Atem and Yugi. He'd been unable to see much further than that, because most of Seto's feelings truly seemed to stem from the jealousy he'd harbored since Atem had hatched. No matter the circumstances, Seto had felt inferior. And because of that, he'd lashed out and punished Atem.

How Atem wasn't so embittered he'd killed his siblings was beyond Yami. By every right they'd deserved that malice. If Atem had turned violent and tried to kill them, it would have been his right. He couldn't imagine the kindness Timaeus had to have shown to dissuade the anger Atem must have harbored.

It was tempered and almost nonexistent now. Atem didn't care one way or the other for his brothers. If they crossed his paths, his ire rose to the surface. But unless that happened, his indifference was so apparent it was stunning. Atem simply did not care about them any longer. In no way was he drawn to discuss them, to seek them out, to even think of them. Even when Yami's egg had been laid, Atem had not once thought of Seto. He hadn't thought of the nest but for the smell of rot and he hadn't considered even for a moment that he could seek answers from him. His name had not crossed his mind but for when Atem had come back from the tour of territories that first day Yami was hatched.

There was no forgiveness. Atem had not given them that. He had not forgotten, either. His nightmares made his memories too vibrant as they clawed their way to the surface.

But he did not think of them.

And he did not care for them.

In no way did Atem so much as consider them if they were not brought to his attention first. The strength it took to shake that initial anger and bitterness, the sheer loathing, was amazing. Yami couldn't imagine possessing it.

"Yes, I'm sure," he said finally when Yugi gave him a more intense look. "I'm sure. I want to do this."

"Why?" Yugi asked abruptly, blurting the word and shaking his head angrily. "Why do you want to? I don't understand. It doesn't make sense, Yami. You have no reason to help him. He's a disgusting animal, and his clutch is only worth anything because of Kisara. If it wasn't for Kisara, I wouldn't have even wanted to meet them but to upset Seto."

Yami snorted and grinned. He knew that much. Yugi had been transparent in that desire, though part of it did pertain to the fact they were family of Atem's. He wanted to see more just because Atem made him so happy and he adored him so much. If it weren't for that, Yugi would have scoffed and told Atem not to bother Blessing the nest or even aiding Seto to get Kisara back from Keith.

"I know. But I might be able to help. And I don't want anyone else to get hurt—let alone die."

Yugi faltered a moment, then sighed and looked away. "I guess that's true," he grumbled. Yami felt a sharp prick of shame swell over the Gandora. "Senseless violence is stupid, even if it does pertain to Seto."

Atem snickered. "You're adorable, little gem."

Yami glanced over when he heard another set of paws. His eyes widened to thrice their usual size and he sprang forward. "Timaeus, are you coming with us?" he demanded.

The Knight Dragon nodded. "I think having three dragons to watch out for you is better than just two." He glanced at Atem. "Although, I'm sure your father makes my presence and Yugi's useless."

Atem scoffed and looked at Yugi. "The lies he tells."

Yugi laughed but didn't seem to argue or agree. He smiled and shook his head, eyes bright. "I think Yami gets this streak of kindness from you."

"I'm all bloodshed and severed heads," Atem answered, no longer teasing. "He definitely gets it from you."

"Or, maybe, I'm so amazing that I've rubbed off on him instead."

"In your dreams, Timaeus," Yugi snorted, glaring at the Wind Dragon playfully. "You're only amazing for taking care of Atem when he was younger. Now you're just here."

Atem snorted and looked over. "You going to roll over and take that?"

"After the last time he boxed me upside the head, happily."

Yugi burst out laughing and puffed his chest out, head raised and eyes glowing. "I am Yugi, the mightiest Gandora ever. Hear me roar!" he snickered, then sprang at Atem. The God Dragon spun on him and bristled for only a second, then surged beneath the black male and dodged away gracefully. Yugi landed, huffed, and complained, "You could have at least let me make contact!"

Atem sprang at him and they rolled about, growling and biting. Yami watched with a grin, enjoying the serenity of their play. A few minutes later, Yugi stood panting as Atem slipped away like a water droplet. Yugi whined quietly, though he failed to stop smiling. Atem stretched lazily as if to tease him, and snickered as he sprang away when Yugi pounced. The Gandora licked his cheek when Atem took a seat.

"I assume that was enough contact," the God Dragon teased, smirking when Yugi nipped his beak and settled beside him. "Where is he? I'd assumed he would have wanted to come here to make a point of leading us there, no?"

Yami shifted his weight and considered. Seto seemed the type. He knew that much. He'd felt that the moment he'd met him. Yet he wasn't sure. Was that so likely? But Yami had also thought for a while he'd have come to join them and ensure Atem was more or less forced to obedience. Why wasn't he present then? The sun was close to setting. If he'd planned to join them, he would have done so before his eyesight became impaired, right?

Yami had said they'd all go to the camp themselves near midnight, but even he'd expected somewhere in the back of his mind that Seto would arrive to ensure they did. Even he'd assumed the Felgrand would attempt to make a point of forcing his presence upon them to make it seem as if he were in charge of Atem in some way.

"I guess not."

Atem looked almost disappointed, but Yami could tell it was only because he'd been prepared for a fight with the other male. He'd braced himself for another verbal spat, for an argument that might escalate further into a physical brawl.

"Good," his father said after a moment, closing his eyes. Yami thought he looked at peace with this realization, as if it had been weighing more on his mind than Yami had initially assumed. "I'm glad he's not coming here."

Yugi leaned further into Atem's side, grinning when Atem grunted and opened his eyes. "He doesn't belong here. I'd rather never see his face again."

"It's too early to wish that."

"It's never too early."

Yami chortled and shook his head. His parents were almost embarrassing when they were so cute. Yugi was so content to just be near Atem and he loved him so much sometimes Yami thought his hearts would burst. Atem teasing him was so unusual that when it happened Yami almost refused to speak or make a noise. It wasn't often enough he saw Atem genuinely share the affection he was given.

He opened his mouth just as Timaeus butted his shoulder. Yami turned to him, still grinning, and found the Wind Dragon studying him. His expression fell after a moment.

"Are you sure about this?" Timaeus finally asked. "I know you want to help, but you'll be risking a lot more than just exposure. We don't know if someone else won't say something to Jaden if he visits the camp again."

"That's a risk regardless," Yami pointed out. "Seto could easily become spiteful and think it's worth it to reveal I exist. He's not exactly known best for his discretion when he becomes angered."

Timaeus tilted his head in agreement. "He's best known for his ill temper and spiteful nature. I wouldn't put it past him."

"He's not to be underestimated when it comes to pettiness," he mumbled. His eyes shot to his parents. Yugi was grooming Atem happily while his father tried to paw his muzzle and push him away around his laughter. "And if we can keep him happy for the time being, we're less likely to have as big a problem later. I can see if I find anything, and if I do then he can deal with it. If I don't… He'll have to deal with the disappointment."

"And if he doesn't?"

"He'll have to." Yami tilted his head. "Or he really will die. Atem will kill him if he turns on me like that."

Timaeus nodded slightly. "And we want to avoid that because…?"

Yami grinned and rubbed beaks with him. "Because Atem doesn't need to kill him. He's not worth the trauma that comes from murdering family," he answered. He risked a glance at his parents. They were still snuggling, talking in low voices. "He's not worth the trauma of killing in general. Atem has done enough of that already."

Timaeus was quiet for a moment, then tilted his head. "You call them both by name sometimes. Why is that? You're their son, yet you never refer to them as your father or dad or anything in conversation like this."

"They're both male." Yami looked over again, shifting his weight. "Neither of them are female and I won't call Atem my mother and Yugi my father. It's not how it happened. And to do that would only ridicule Atem."

Timaeus fell silent for a long time, then sighed. "I suppose that's true."

"It's more about respect than anything. Laying my egg doesn't change things." Yami risked a glance at his parents once more. Atem had gotten up, shaking himself out and stretching. Yugi was watching him keenly, eyes sparkling. "I won't diminish that by calling him anything other than my father, dad or daddy."

Timaeus nodded. "Okay."

Yami hesitated. "They've never seemed to mind whenever I used their names."

"No. In fact, I think it makes Atem particularly happy that you see him as himself rather than calling him by a more feminine title." Timaeus was watching them now as well. He smiled slightly the longer he did, until finally he turned back to Yami, butting his shoulder. "He's blessed to have you as a son."

"I'm blessed to have him as my father—him and Yugi." Yami looked back again and grinned when he saw them chatting once more. Yugi ducked his head, licking Atem's beak. Atem continued speaking in a low enough voice Yami could not catch it, and the two of them smirked as if at an inside joke. "Father."

Atem looked over immediately.

"When should we go?" Yami ignored Timaeus's stare. "The sun will be setting soon. I don't know how soon we should leave."

"We agreed on midnight," Yugi huffed. "It's going to be another handful of hours, Yami."

He nodded, relief surging through him. He didn't want to deal with Seto all too soon. "Okay."

When they set paw outside the camp, a guard actually came rushing forward. They stepped too close and Atem knocked them straight on their back with a single swipe of his paw. They scrambled for their paws, crouched a moment before straightening, and snapped, "What are you here for, God Dragon?"

"Seto requested my presence." Yami watched Atem with wide eyes, shivering. The red male stared at the sentry with a curious look. Yami wondered if his vision was still as good as Yugi's. "I came to see him as he asked."

"For what reason?" he snapped. His eyes flickered restlessly to Yugi and then Timaeus. He had not even noticed Yami yet. "You've brought a Gandora and a Knight Dragon here. Why?"

"Yugi is my mate. And Timaeus is here as an extra set of eyes."

The sentry bristled and shifted his weight. He hissed and flicked his tongue, flexing his claws and narrowing his eyes. "Extra set of eyes? For what purpose?"

"For watching him," Atem said with a slight jerk of his muzzle. Yami watched the sentry turn his head and blink at him. At first he looked away, then jerked his head back and gaped. He bristled fearfully and stared with wide eyes. "I found an egg and Yugi and I raised him. Seto wished to have him meet the clutch, so here we are. He's of age and finally able to fly as he needed to make the journey from our territory."

The male's mouth opened and shut, teeth clicking rapidly twice. And then he blinked and stared at Yami with a stunned, horrified expression. He seemed to process the words, then finally he blinked again.

"You found him?" Yami could hear his thoughts struggling, scrambling and clawing at each other. He hadn't quite wrapped his mind around it as of the moment, but he was beginning to understand. He kept repeating in his head that Atem had said they'd found him. And from there the rocket of his heartbeat began to slow and he seemed to relax again. "How did you find him?"

"His nest was abandoned in my territory."

"What is he?"

"A hybrid, most likely," Atem dismissed smoothly. He was unwavering in his stance, indifferent to the gaping, entire body relaxed. "We are unsure what species, but we believe he's a large portion Fire Dragon."

"Fire Dragon? In your territory?" the Lightning Dragon mumbled. "But how? Your territory is so…diverse in temperature and weather."

"There are a few that can withstand it."

He blinked and raised his head. "Oh, I've heard of one before. It's called a U—"

"Cease speaking," a new voice cut in, scathing and cold. Yami looked up to find a larger male with glittering scales in the moonlight. His eyes were grayish, yet glittered amber where the light touched them. "Mind your curiosity. You weren't placed for vigil to loosen your tongue."

Yami felt a trickle of unease trace its way down his spine to mimic Atem. He shot him a startled look, unsure. Was he upset with this newcomer? Or had something else triggered the response? Had he seen something—someone—else?

"Rafael," Yugi growled, bristling when the other male stepped too close. "What an unpleasant surprise to see you here. I'm not glad to see you again. And I don't care to play catch up. We came to see Seto."

"Interesting. I don't recall asking." His eyes had never wavered from Atem. "I'm more curious as to why it is you respond to his every beck and call and yet you both feign hatred."

Yami suppressed a snort. Atem didn't harbor hatred. He was so indifferent to his brother he hardly cared at all. The fact he was there only had to do with Yami's existence. Had it not been for the need to protect him as well as the necessity to prevent a worst-case scenario should Jaden turn on Seto and his nest, Atem would have nothing to do with him. He'd only even agreed before to Bless his nest because of Yugi. Had Yugi not been at the gathering that night, had he not been present in Atem's life, the God Dragon would have laughed in his brother's face. He would have laughed and turned on him, lashing out with the intent to destroy.

"Hatred isn't feigned. Affection is," Atem stated simply. "And that is something I refuse to emulate for his sake."

Rafael snorted and looked down at him. He blinked once, long and slow, and then sneered, "Well, well, aren't you a legendary little Fire Dragon? And to think, I had assumed it extinct."

Atem bristled slightly. "You know what species?"

"You're not a very resourceful God Dragon if you don't know what he is," Rafael spat, turning on him. His expression was scornful and cold. "Not that I should be surprised. You seem as wise as a rotted paw."

Atem didn't respond but to say, "I brought him to meet his siblings. They're the only reason any of us are here. Seto should receive him now or risk never getting to meet him again."

"Meeting him again," Rafael repeated slowly. He never removed his eyes from Yami. "That's an interesting turn of events. Seto never mentioned you'd found an egg and adopted it."

"Why should he? We didn't know he'd make it. He's already too small for his age."

"Being raised by a Sky Dragon will do that to you, I'm sure," he scoffed. His head tilted and Yami found himself overwhelmed by the various images in his head. Rafael wasn't even truly paying attention to the conversation. He was imagining Atem beaten to a pulp and left on the ground as he claimed Yugi forcefully. The bitterness and malice swelling from him at the moment made Yami nearly quiver. His pride was stung; apparently Atem had beaten him in front of the rest of the Clan at some point. He wasn't over it, and he wanted more than ever to turn on Atem. The embarrassment was still beneath his skin, simmering in his thoughts. Rafael had no outlet, though Yami didn't know what he would have done to expel it. "You should have fed him red meat like a normal little Fire Dragon."

Yami blinked and tried to pluck at the name of the species Rafael was insinuating he was. But the moment passed. Rafael turned his head to face Atem again, smirking wide.

"Oh, but you get bellyaches when you eat too much red meat, don't you, Sky Dragon?" he sneered. "Your brother can't stomach it for too long, either."

"You're part Water Dragon," Atem answered. "I can't see that you can survive solely on red meat, either."

Rafael chuckled, "No, but I can for far longer than either of you."

It was so strange a point of pride. Yami blinked, bewildered, and glanced at Atem in confusion. Did he find it as strange? But it passed. A new realization came through him and he looked to Rafael in shock once more.

He'd courted Kisara for fun at one point, and he'd nearly coaxed her into mating with him. But Seto had shown up not too soon after, and Kisara had been drawn to him. Sky Dragons weren't usually prominent in that terrain. He'd arrived to see about joining the Clan—Yami assumed it must have been for the sake of taking over at some point, but he couldn't tell why Seto hadn't done it yet—and he'd become interested in Kisara as well. She'd been evading Rafael for a while, from what memories Yami saw brewing at the surface like this…

But Rafael didn't linger long on much of anything.

Instead he pictured mounting Yugi again, forcing Atem to watch from where he lay wounded and exhausted.

Yami decided he didn't think Rafael was worth the effort of reading any longer. He forced himself to draw backwards, to withdraw enough he could focus instead on Yugi, Atem, or Timaeus. Yugi's thoughts were enraged, waves of anger surging from him. He was spiteful and disgusted, especially upset Rafael was scoffing and sneering at Atem. Atem was barely paying attention to Rafael any longer, instead wondering as to a sensation of what Yami could only describe as despair pressing upon his father like a cloud. Timaeus was unperturbed by any of it, though he seemed annoyed with the hybrid before them.

He wondered if Atem had ever told Timaeus about the comments Rafael had made, or if he was simply responding to what he saw then.

"It doesn't matter."

"No, I suppose for a Sky Dragon it wouldn't."

Atem looked confused for a single second, eyes narrowed and head tilted slightly. Then he snorted. "Yugi doesn't eat solely red meat, so your display of confidence now has no merit."

Yugi looked disgusted when he glanced over. He didn't speak, but Yami could feel indignation and disbelief washing over him. Yami searched his face as Yugi turned away again with a shake of his head.

"Right, because your incompatibility makes him unable to live as he should."

Atem snorted and Yugi snapped his teeth, lunging. Rafael spun on him with his teeth bared and someone else jumped from a ledge to rush forward. Atem grabbed Yugi by the back of the neck and pulled him away easily. The Gandora wasn't happy, but he refused to make a bigger scene by resisting Atem's attempt to remove him from the situation. Immediately Yugi stepped back, ducked his head, peered at Atem expectantly, and waited for him to speak.

"He defers only to Atem," another voice spat, "and you're an idiot to think for even a moment he's interested in betraying him. Do you understand how stupid you are to even contemplate it?"

Yami looked up to find Seto there, standing inches from Rafael with a scowl.

"You'd have better luck trying to force Leviathan to his belly than convince Yugi to see you as more than a nuisance," he continued scornfully. The Felgrand looked at the Lightning hybrid as if he meant to box his brain from his skull. He raised his head and bore his teeth, eyes sharp and narrowed. "I don't know why you insist on pretending you have even the slimmest chance to change his mind."

Rafael looked over at Atem, voice low. "Sky Dragons are not gods."

Yugi lunged and snapped at him. He missed only because Atem caught him once more. The Gandora squirmed and tried to shake him then, almost managing to claw Rafael in the face but missing by a breath. Yami peered at him in bewilderment, considering the ferocity in Yugi's stance and the low timbre of his snarl. Yugi was enraged and Yami was almost amazed by the glint in his eyes and the way he hunched his body as if to shake Atem and tackle Rafael. He stopped again when Atem pulled him back a few steps but did not lose his aggressive stance. He remained bristling, arching his spine, flexed his claws, pressed his wings closer to his flanks, and lashed his tail.

"Cease," Atem said softly, though he turned to Seto immediately after. "Now, where are they? Yami has been waiting all day to meet them."

Rafael looked as if he meant to argue, but Seto huffed, "Move aside, Rafael. There's no reason for you to attend. A handful of hatchlings are to meet. There is nothing nefarious for you to guard against. There is no threat to keep your eyes on. And you have no reason to linger any longer."

"I don't recall you ever mentioning your brother having adopted a random Fire Dragon hatchling. Yugi, I can believe. He's a sweet and naïve brat. But your brother? Kindness doesn't befit him."

"You don't know anything about him!" Yugi snapped. Atem forcefully pressed his paw into his shoulders to stop him lunging forward once more. The God Dragon stared at him until Yugi finally lay down and looked at him sideways, head lowered but mouth still etched in a snarl.

"Sharing with you is nothing I endeavor to do," Seto said dryly. "But I've known about Yami for several moons now."

"Did you even tell your lovely little mate that your brother had taken a Fire Dragon for his offspring?"

"It's not as if he stole the egg from its nest."

"And do you have proof—?"

"Brave of you to accuse a God Dragon of such atrocities," Timaeus said coolly, speaking for the first time. Yami looked over his shoulder to see him pushing past Atem and straight toward Rafael. The Knight Dragon almost bore down on him, he was so much larger. "I was under the impression the half-brother of one might know to hold his tongue."

Rafael raised his head, snarling softly. "And who are you?"

"Better yet. I believe your father might have knocked the sense into you when you were younger. Isn't that where your resentment stemmed from, Rafael?" Timaeus spat. "I remember hearing all about you when I was younger. Ironheart all but abandoned you as a disappointment when you tried to fight Leviathan."

Seto burst into laughter. "You tried to fight Leviathan? You're more pathetic than I thought. Did he carve a hole in your hide for it?"

"What of you, Seto? You sniveling worm. I remember rumors of you chasing Atem from the nest. Wasn't it you who carved a hole in his hide and wished him dead?"

Yami looked at Timaeus and Atem frantically. The Knight Dragon was staring at Rafael as if he wished to take his head off. Atem was silent as the grave, studying intently but with an expression of pure loathing. Yugi was the one who sprang forward. He made contact with Rafael so quickly Yami could barely follow it.

They rolled, spitting and snarling. Blood sprayed the air. Dirt billowed upward. Timaeus cursed. Seto spat with shock. Atem watched them emotionlessly. Several other dragons hurried forward with horrified expressions. And then Yugi and Rafael separated. Both were bleeding, though Yugi had a gaping gash around his eye and Rafael a long streak from wing to chest. Their snarls were enough to make the others squirm, hissing and pacing as they sought to get a better look.

"You ever speak of him like that again," Yugi snarled, "and I'll kill you."

Atem bristled faintly. "Yugi, enough."

"Don't you hear that? Your master is calling."

Yugi swiped and barely missed. "I'll rip your head off."

"I don't think Atem wants to take a corpse home just yet."

"Enough," the God Dragon snapped again. "It's over. Yugi, cease."

"Shut up, Atem," the Gandora growled, never taking his eyes off Rafael. Yami saw Atem shift his weight, likely judging whether to reinforce his stance or step back and wait. "You should be so lucky he's protecting you. I've never understood it. But he's always stopped me when I have the right to kill a wayward suitor."

"Is that what you assume this to be?"

"What else is it? You want to mount me. And I'll rip your wings off and feast on your corpse first." Yugi sprang again, cut Rafael in the eye and then dodged aside when he tried to return the blow. Rafael lunged.

Yami flattened himself to the ground when Atem sprang forward, roaring. The Lightning hybrid staggered back and snarled with shock, bristling and gaping. Atem bore down on him a moment, then straightened. The air echoed and rippled with noise, as if someone had dropped a stone through a large tunnel. Yami looked at his father in pure amazement, shivering, and only relaxed when Timaeus butted him gently and whispered, "It's just a warning cry. Don't worry."

Yugi had slunk a few steps away, laying on his belly and scowling. Atem whipped around to look at him, and Yami saw the concern beneath the anger. Timaeus shook himself out and Yami stumbled to his paws.

"What is the meaning of this, Sky Dragon?"

Yami looked up to see a bright blue and white dragon with wings like a bird. There were no feathers, but the formations were like crystals dripping from the ceiling of a cavern. Every scale was lined with deep blue, like sparkling water. His claws were glowing bright blue like the sea, and the male stood on long limbs and huge paws. When he bristled, his eyes were like gems and his mouth opened in a wide gaping formation of brilliant white teeth.

"Akunadin," Atem acknowledged in a cold tone, "your half-breed persists in overstepping his bounds."

The newcomer turned to Rafael with a snarl. "You provoked him?"

The Lightening hybrid looked as if he might argue. And then he huffed and scowled, curling his lips back and ducking his head in a manner of deference. "I did. He was unannounced but for his brother."

"And that justifies you provoking him to war?"

"That wasn't a war cry," Atem snorted. "That's a warning call. You'd know if I'd declared war, Akunadin."

Timaeus snickered. "The sky quakes and folds in on itself."

Akunadin turned his head and leveled a bewildered stare on the teal male. "Who are you?"

"Timaeus—friend of Atem's."

Yami shivered and looked between them. He pressed into Timaeus's leg in an effort to stand straighter as well as hopefully find some strength beneath all the scrutiny. Timaeus shifted his weight to shield him from Akunadin.

"What have you come here for?"

Atem was silent for a long time. And then Yami felt the most hesitant nudge. It wasn't physical, more a tickle that trailed down his spine, and his father's voice whispered, Yami?

He hesitated a moment, then sprang past Timaeus's paw and straight forward. He stood beside Atem, shifting and straightening, and growled, "I want to meet my siblings!"

Akunadin blinked, eyes shooting to him. He startled, bristling, then lowered his head and peered at him in shock. For the first time Yami noticed his eye was scarred and almost permanently shut on his left side. The sliver he could see there glittered with surprise and his good eye was brilliant with excitement. He leaned forward, sniffing, and then butted him gently with his beak.

"You're a brave little dragon," he snickered. "I wouldn't have expected such from someone so young and small."

Yami saw Yugi bristling in the corner of his eye. The Gandora was posed to spring if Akunadin so much as looked at Yami the wrong way. And, as he considered, he realized he could hear Atem's claws clicking where he flexed them restlessly. Yami didn't risk a glance back, if only because so many others were now staring at him in shock, but instead stood taller and forced himself to mimic Atem.

"Atem said that Seto had a nest."

"He calls you by your given name, Sky Dragon."

"And what else might he call me?"

"He has not adopted you as his father?" Akunadin hummed. "And what of you, hybrid?"

"He calls us both by name."

"I see. Then there is no favorite among you." The blue and white dragon nudged him gently, then gusted a breath over Yami's face. The hatchling bristled faintly but did not move away. Akunadin raised his head and searched his face, curious and rapidly warming. "You're an interesting little hatchling. What's your name?"

"Yami," he said quietly, though he was amazed his voice didn't waver. He'd never seen so many dragons, and he'd never felt so many eyes on him before. He'd never considered there'd be so many others there to see him. Somehow he'd thought of it, but overlooked just the vast number of others he might be seen by. He glanced at Atem in his peripheral. "My name is Yami."

"What's it mean?"

"It's a human word for darkness. I was named for my egg."

"Ah, a pure Fire Dragon then."

Yami saw a brief flash of indignation in Yugi's eyes, but Atem remained cold and unresponsive. His eyes flickered slowly to Yami's, but there was nothing to read there. Even the gem on his forehead was oddly clear, as if he had smothered every thought and impulse in that moment to ensure he did not react out of turn.

"Yes." He blinked. "I don't know any parents but for Atem and Yugi. And my species is…unknown, but it doesn't matter. Atem and Yugi are my fathers and I know nor accept any others."

Akunadin chuckled. "As you should," he agreed warmly. He lowered himself to lay down in front of him, studying intently. "For a species unknown to them, your parents have done well to raise you. You are small, but I smell no weakness."

Yami raised his chin slightly. "I'm healthy!"

A ripple of laughter came from some of the other dragons surrounding them, and the tension seemed to drain slowly from the clearing. Yami took a seat after a moment, risking a sideways glance at Seto as the Felgrand considered him with a somewhat unnerved look. He radiated anxiety, as if the world were pushing upon him painfully, and Yami smothered the impulse to flinch. Why was he so afraid? Why was he so shaken? Was he so fearful Yami or Atem or Yugi might mess up?