Chapter XLVI: Ambush

Jaden spat and spun, claws raking. Atem pushed hard on his back paws and twisted. His claws caught the Fire Dragon's wing and slammed him to the ground. Blood and flesh flew through the air for a split second. Atem backed away a few steps, snarling and spitting. Jaden shook himself out as he got to his paws, staring. His eyes flashed like embers and his teeth looked like thorns when he bared them.

"You're a little slow to ambush," Jaden snapped. "I've already seen him."

Atem didn't pause. His paw shot out and his claws almost struck his eyes. Jaden jerked back just in time. Flesh caught under his claws and tore beneath the pressure. The Sky Dragon darted past him as Jaden tried to shake the pain. He shot straight for Yami, grabbing him and taking off. Jaden stared a moment, then rushed after. Timaeus sprang for him and got hit backwards with a wave of heat that startled more than hurt. Yusei took off after Jaden, just as something dark shot from the trees.

Jaden screeched again as Yugi slammed into him. They rolled feet away, slamming into a tree as Yugi's teeth dug into his shoulder and bit to bone. The Prime Material Dragon slashed Yugi's side and his wings curled inward to push at Yugi's chest. The Gandora clung, claws shredding scales and sinking into hard muscle. He didn't lessen his grip in the slightest as another strike landed to the side of his head.

"Atem, Atem—wait!" Yusei cried, rushing past. "Leviathan is that way!"

The Sky Dragon didn't respond, but he dodged aside as the Water Dragon seemed to appear suddenly. He wove past him, but didn't dodge the fallen log. He hit it straight on, winding himself. He rolled and landed on his belly. The pain made his jaw open and Yami rolled from the force as he hit the ground. The hatchling sprang to his paws and rushed over to his father, panicked.

The Leviathan peered back at him, blinking and mystified. Then he burst out laughing as he looked him over, stunned. Yami bristled and snarled, baring his teeth. Atem got up again, panting, and quivered a moment. The fall had twisted his front left paw and his jaw looked as if it were slack from tension. Yami rushed forward, panic and adrenaline crashing through him, and touched Atem frantically.

The God Dragon straightened and snatched him up again.

"Atem!" Yusei spat, landing in front of him. "Wait—please!"

Yami barely had even a second to see Atem slash Yusei across the jaw. The impact made the bone crunch and Yusei spat painfully, eyes squeezing shut. He backed up as Atem tried to run again. But Yami heard it immediately after. Yugi yelped, though the noise had been noticeably suppressed in an effort not to get their attention. Atem spun around, almost dropping Yami in the process.

"Dad?" Yami squeaked, eyes widening.

Yugi lay almost prone on the ground. He was on his belly, wings flat on the ground, chin to the dirt, and entire body lax. Yami squirmed, horrified, but Atem merely tightened his grip. He could feel it as instinct warred in the Sky Dragon. Did he save his hatchling or did he go to help his mate? After a moment Atem turned and loosened his grip. Yami flew through the air, spinning, and twisted his body rapidly to land on his paws.

"Run," Atem spat, then turned and barreled straight for Jaden. The Fire Dragon was standing in front of Yugi, watching him intently. Jaden looked up when Atem was within a foot of him. They slammed into each other, claws locked in flesh, teeth bared and snarling. Blood and dirt flew, and Yami flinched as his father bore down harder. Jaden snarled and spat, and abruptly they separated.

Jaden was glowing and waves of heat surged through the trees. One of the trunks burst into flame nearest him and the air cackled. Yami stared, horrified, as Atem dropped to his belly and folded his wings around himself. Flame shot through the air, then smoke and more fire. Trees around them burst into flames and caught fire, dancing about branches and undergrowth.

The moment it faded Yami felt it.

A sharp and terrible pain laced through him. Yami stumbled for his paws and rushed forward. Yugi was on his paws again, panting and bleeding. Jaden panted for air and shook himself out, glaring in the direction Atem was settled.

"Father, stop!" he screamed.

Jaden spun on him, eyes huge with surprise. Yugi quivered where he stood, panting. Atem snarled as he looked at him, spitting and bristling. He was half-raised to his full height, mouth opened halfway, eyes narrowed furiously, and his tail was opened. The blades glinted in the air even as Atem halted his kill blow. He snarled and glared at Jaden, twitching and then lashing his tail.

"Please, stop…" Yami looked over at Jaden and froze. The Fire Dragon looked horrified, amazed, and frenzied. It was clear he only saw one thing at that moment—the target he'd come for. But he did not move forward, staring back at him intently.

"Yami," Yugi rasped, looking too exhausted to move. He panted and stared and Yami could see one of his eyes was swollen shut. "Why are you here?"

Yami bore his teeth and straightened, glaring. "You came to see me. Here I am," he spat, unable to suppress a tremor. "I'm here, okay? Don't hurt them anymore."

Jaden blinked and bore his teeth, stepping forward and halting when Yugi stumbled a step closer. He looked over, hissing, "You're half-dead. Why do you persist?"

Yugi snarled and the noise was watery, the blood bubbling in his throat. "You don't touch him."

Jaden peered at him a long moment, then turned to Atem. "How did you do this?" he snapped. "How did you produce an egg? Why did you do this?"

Atem didn't move from behind Yami for a long time. And then he reached forward. Yami struggled to keep his balance, but Atem dragged him to his belly, hiding him beneath him there. "What was I supposed to do? Kill him?" he snapped. "He hatched. I raised him."

Jaden bore his teeth. "You created an abomination and you sound pleased with yourself."

"I am. He turned out better than I imagined," he sneered. "He just saved your life, without any reason to. He should have let me kill you."

Jaden narrowed his eyes further. "Is that so?"

"Jaden," Yugi breathed. The golden-scaled male looked over at him with his teeth bared and eyes glittering. Yugi panted and shook his head. "Please, just…leave Yami alone."

"Why would I do that? He shouldn't have been born." His head snapped around again. "You both went against nature and raised a creature that shouldn't exist."

"Divine Dragons have always existed," Atem snarled. He lowered his head and narrowed his eyes further, voice rough with anger. "And if you so much as step closer, I'll eviscerate you myself."

Yami risked a glance at Yugi, heart racing. He could heal him if he could move fast enough to get to his side before Atem raced forward. His eyes shot to Jaden once more, blinking as the Fire Dragon leveled a sharp look at the Gandora and Slifer. He seemed to be weighing his odds as to who he could win against, and the obvious choice would have been Yugi if he had to face them once more.

Yami stepped forward. Jaden spun on him. Atem lunged and they rolled several feet. Yami raced for Yugi's side. His father looked over, startled, and Yami bumped beaks with him. He pushed as much energy into him as he could, willing Yugi's wounds to close and mend. The effect was almost instantaneous, though it took Yugi's wounds a moment to respond. Yami felt as if he'd been struck by lightning, but the exhaustion faded quickly after. Yugi blinked and straightened, body quivering once before he seemed to heal completely.

Atem sprang away after a moment, panting. His side dripped blood but Jaden was down for a few heartbeats longer. He straightened, shaking himself out, and stood on unwavering limbs.

"He'll be a threat—a liability. There are four God Dragons. There's no need for a Divine."

Yami shook himself out and got to his paws. He stepped forward again, but moved closer to Yugi now. Atem had turned his head just enough to see him, eyes sharp and burning where he studied him. But his Gandora father was simply staring at Jaden, prepared to leap forth at any second.

Yami lowered himself into a resting position to appease Atem, tucking his front paws under his chest and folding his wings into his sides. Atem wasn't going to strike to hurt him if he stepped out of line, but that could easily change if he wasn't careful.

Yami glanced between Yugi and Atem for a moment. Then he settled his head on the ground and remained watching.

"Divine or not, you have no right to come here—let alone to wage war on him."

"I couldn't see him when I tried to find him. Seto said you'd adopted a Uria. I searched high and low for the little bastard. I thought maybe it was proximity to you that prevented me, but now I think he may be immune as you are." Jaden whipped his head around to stare at Yami. "You are not natural. And you cannot live any longer. I will end your parents to dispose of you."

"Just because he is powerful," a new voice interrupted, "does not mean he is fated to be a monster."

"Yusei, shut your dung-eating mouth," he snarled. The Fire Dragon bore down on Yami again, flicking a hideous red-orange tongue. "You have no idea."

"Yubel was never stable," Yusei said slowly. The Stardust Dragon came closer, moving towards Yugi and Yami before he paused. Atem was snarling now, tail posed to lash out and strike at him. He turned to Jaden slowly. "You're hurt. I know that. You're also frustrated and tired. I know that, too. And you see this as a bad omen after what happened with your son. But look at him. He's surrounded by two loving parents and one of them has even gone against his own nature to ensure the other's happiness! He's done everything in his power to make Atem happy and comfortable at his own expense. Do you not understand how unique that is? Yugi himself is a testament to just how odd this all is!"

"I should have killed him when he attacked Jesse," Jaden growled. "And then this never would have happened. Atem would have rotted to death from loneliness and this abomination would not be here."

Yami blinked. Then he got to his paws. "Sartorius," he mumbled softly, "has nothing to do with me."

Jaden lowered his head and turned furious eyes on him. "You dare speak to me?" he hissed. "Come forward. Come past your parents and Yusei. I'll show you why you don't address a God Dragon of my caliber."

"Step back," Atem spat.

Yugi was frozen, staring in horror. But Yami merely tilted his head as he continued, "I have nothing to do with your son. We're centuries apart. And our births were nothing alike."

"Come closer, little brat."

"Stay where you are," Yusei growled. He held up a paw as if to bar him but Yami ignored him. He looked over at his father with a cold stare and shook his head.

"I'll be okay. I can do this."

"What?" Yugi snapped, bristling fearfully. "Don't you dare even consider getting closer to him. I won't allow it."

"I'll be okay." Yami scowled at Atem. "I can do this."

"Is that so?" the Sky Dragon sneered, eyes glowing with rage. "You think you can meet the oldest God Dragon of this era and he won't strike you down like a piece of prey?"

"I know he won't!" Yami objected hotly. "But I can't show you why if you won't let me do this."

Atem curled his lips back further to show the ridges of his huge teeth. "He'll kill you."

"He won't."

"I will."

"You won't." Yami turned to him now, golden eyes wide and burning. "You won't hurt me at all."

"He has your arrogance, Sky Dragon," Jaden snickered, baring his teeth. "It makes him even more liable as a threat, don't you think?"

Yusei stared at Yami for a moment, then lowered himself to face Yami more pointedly. His voice was low and curious as he asked, "What are you planning to do, little one?"

Yami turned to him slowly, eyes harder than before. "I can heal him." He tilted his head. "I can help him recover. He doesn't have to carry that guilt anymore. I can get rid of it for him."

Atem was frozen for a moment. "You think you can…?" he growled. "Are you foolish? You've healed only a few times and you don't know to what extent you can and can't. You cannot use your abilities as play things, Yami."

"I can heal him."

Yusei peered at Yami in confusion for a long time, but then looked at Yugi and Atem. Yami could hear the thoughts swirling in his head, from the memory of them both wounded to their appearance now. They looked almost unharmed. Even Yusei seemed to notice that. Yami met his stare head on when the Stardust Dragon turned to look at him once more.

"Can you?" he asked quietly, blinking and glancing over his shoulder. Yami saw the Leviathan there, lingering from his seated position. He would not attack. He would not aid Jaden. He would not aid Atem. He was there to watch and nothing more. Yusei turned back again, searching his face. "Are you that strong?"

Yami wondered for a moment if he really was. He'd only taken Atem's nightmares away and replaced them occasionally. He did not know he hadn't done more harm than good. He'd healed Yugi when he'd gone into a hypothermic state when they'd gone over the side of the cliff. He'd healed Atem's mangled paw and he'd healed his wounded side. He'd healed Atem's jaw and the sprain in his leg when he'd crashed into the fallen tree. He'd healed Yugi when Jaden had beaten him moments before.

But he'd never tried to heal Bakura, and Jaden's anger was just as twisted. It was raw and bleeding, underlined by fear and hurt that Yami didn't know how to measure. It seemed to swell the more he thought about it and somehow that made his legs threaten to buckle.

He wanted to nod, to insist he could, but despite his confidence to say so now seemed almost foolish.

Yami saw the movement in the corner of his eye. His head snapped around and he blinked as he spotted the Prime Material Dragon. Jaden had leaped for him, teeth opened and gaping and claws braced to cut through his flesh. Yami bristled and flattened himself to the ground in hopes he might overshoot him.

But Jaden never made contact.

The Fire Dragon screeched as teeth clamped into this throat. Claws dug into his flesh and ripped at already exposed muscle. Yami watched, horrified and fascinated, as Yugi clung to the other male. Blood sprayed and dripped and Yugi's face was soaked a moment later. Yami flinched as Jaden bore his teeth and stared back at him furiously. The Fire Dragon didn't even seem to notice the extra weight of the Gandora clinging to him. He seemed only to know that his prey was before him and he had not killed it yet.

Yugi refused to release, clamping down harder, as Jaden shook himself. The God Dragon didn't pause, stepping forward and staring at Yami with glowing eyes. Yami flexed his claws and shivered, terrified, but Jaden did not move further. Instead he rose to his back paws and tried to tear Yugi off with heavy swipes and sharp slashes. But no amount of wounds seemed to daze Yugi in the slightest.

It was only when Jaden grew brighter, then seemed to turn liquid and pulsate with power that Yugi appeared to weaken. His eyes clenched shut and his teeth dug in harder, but his claws began to slacken. He trembled twice, then slowly released and hit the ground.

Jaden looked over at him, a wave of fire and pure rage coursing through the forest again. Yami looked about them, shivering, but the heat did nothing. The flames that lapped at his flesh didn't even sting. Yami peered about, but the smoke didn't hurt his eyes and his lungs felt full of rich air despite the ashes and embers. Yugi didn't look as if he'd been burned, just exhausted, and that did not last. He spun on his back and rose to his paws again, bristling and glaring.

Jaden lashed out. Blood caught fire for a split second before it splashed to the ground. Yugi rolled a few feet, then sprang up once more. He thumped his tail and shook himself out, glaring and snarling. He backed up, arching his spine, and bore his teeth.

Yami watched as they slammed into each other once more. Atem shifted his weight and glared, snarling softly as he watched. Yami could tell he was looking for an opening. The Sky Dragon tensed twice, then sprang finally. He hit Jaden so hard it sent the other male flying. He twisted and spun once, then landed gracefully on his paws once more. His eyes glittered with anger and Atem panted as the heat made his scales sweat. The Sky Dragon snarled and paced a few feet, teeth bared and eyes like a pair of imploding stars.

Yugi shook himself to shed some blood and grizzle from his flesh, staring at Jaden intently. Atem looked flushed, as if the heat were overwhelming, and Yami felt his heart stutter. How much longer could Atem stay in that fire without becoming immobilized from the heat? How much longer could he withstand it before he had to summon wind or water to force the flames away?

The two God Dragons collided in a hideous red once more. Teeth tore at flesh, claws scraped at exposed muscle. Blood dripped and sprayed about. Jaden screeched. Atem boxed him in the head to incapacitate him. The older God Dragon rolled, blinking and stumbling for his paws. Atem grabbed him by the scruff and raked his claws along the underside of his throat.

Flesh gave way in chunks. Atem rose on his back paws and slashed. He barely missed the jugular when he dug his claws further into his flesh. There was a soft clicking noise as he released Jaden and backed up a step.

"Father, don't!"

Atem jerked, head snapping around. Yugi scowled when he looked over as well. Yami bristled from where he lay crouched there, watching them all. Both of his parents looked as if they wanted to beat him senseless for a moment. And then Atem turned away, stalking forward a step. Jaden slowly got to his paws, flicking his tongue, and blood dripped from his jaws and neck.

"Don't what?" Jaden hissed, tone sharp and fierce. His eyes shot to Yami immediately again. "Don't kill him for committing treason or don't kill you for existing?"

Yami trembled, ignoring him. "I'm okay. I'm fine, see? He hasn't managed to lay a claw on me! Don't… Please don't kill him."

Atem blinked and opened his jaws. Jaden straightened slowly. "Kill me?" he spat, bristling as he shook himself and stared. "I'd like to see you try, Atem."

"Stop being so arrogant," Yusei snapped, turning on him. "Atem almost tore your head off with his claws, Jaden. I think he just proved he's capable of hurting you a lot more than he actually did. Just leave him alone. You don't need to pick a fight with them."

Atem stared at Yami for a long time. Then his eyes shot back to Jaden, burning into his. "If Yami is to be struck down," he said slowly, deliberately, "I shall be the one to do it."

Yugi froze, then spun on him. "That's not going to happen! You stupid bastard."

Atem glanced at him sideways but didn't speak. His eyes shot immediately back to Jaden and Yami shifted his weight. "He laid my egg. It's only right he end the life he created," he announced, stepping forward. Yugi spun on him, staring with a horrified expression. "Atem will kill me if it happens. It's his responsibility, not yours."

"And I am to believe you will do so?" Jaden snarled, turning on Atem spitefully. "Without hesitation? Are you really so foolish?"

"He's not as forgiving or hopeful as you once were," Yami stated quietly, bristling and shaking his head as Jaden looked over slowly once more. "He won't hesitate. He's killed thousands of others and my bones on the pile won't even make him pause."

"W-what?" Yugi sputtered.

"He won't have hope for me to recover if I lose myself, Jaden. It's not in his nature to be overly hopeful." Yami glanced at Atem sideways again. His father was staring at Jaden, but he could feel him watching from his peripheral. "He's not going to hope I'll be okay when I clearly won't. If I lose myself, it's his right to end my life."

"You expect me to believe a Sky Dragon would kill its offspring?" the God Dragon spat. "You're forgetting I know your father's species. It goes against everything a Sky Dragon is to harm its offspring."

"Yugi has more of an attachment to me than Atem ever could," Yami said quietly. He ignored the way Jaden bristled and glared. He ignored how Yusei blinked and looked over in surprise. He even ignored it when the Leviathan snorted and smirked over at the two of them. "Atem loves me, yes, but it doesn't mean he won't stop me before I cause destruction or wreak havoc. He's not so attached to me that he wouldn't be able to do what he must."

Jaden looked over at him slowly, staring. "Is that so? You mean to tell me the Gandora is more affectionate? And yet Atem grabbed you and ran for his life when we came after you."

"And? All he wanted was to remove me from the equation. Yugi was meant to stall you long enough for him to drop me somewhere out of sight and then return. You're overlooking the fact that he dropped me to come back for Yugi. If you hadn't hurt Yugi, he would have dropped me somewhere safe and returned to speak to you. Hurting Yugi is why he almost killed you."

"You seem so sure of yourself, but where's the proof?"

Yami didn't look over at Atem again. He didn't risk a glance at Yugi. "You know my father decapitates challengers when they overstep their bounds. What did you think was next when you fell to the ground and he could aim properly?"

Yugi shot him a furious look. "Yami."

"He can and he will kill you if you step out of line again." Yami fell silent, then looked at Atem. "Just like he will if I do."

"Atem isn't going to—"

"Atem will do as he needs," the Sky Dragon said quietly, cutting Yugi off. He glanced at Yami, then Jaden. "Of course, I should hope it never comes to that."

Jaden looked over, meeting Atem's gaze for the first time in a while. He stared, eyes narrowing, before he glanced at Yami and then the other two God Dragons. After a moment he turned back to Yami, staring just as intently as he had the first time he laid eyes on him. He bristled again, studying, and then hissed, "If not for the black streaks and white bands behind your jaw, at first glance I would have assumed you a true Uria. How strange you came from Atem, of all creatures."

Yami watched him for a long time, studying intently. He'd lessened his aggressive stance, though he knew from the frantic surge of his energy that Jaden had not lost his anger. He still wanted to kill him. He'd still have rather spared Atem the potential pain and put an end to the threat.

Jaden looked slowly to Atem. "He was born during the eclipse, wasn't he? That's why you were so quick to leave us at the Water Clan territory, why you turned on me so violently when you realized I was following you."

Atem glanced at Yami and turned back. "Yes."

Yugi bristled. "Atem."

"I suggest you do better to hide him the next time we cross paths," Jaden said slowly, baring his teeth. "Because if I can lay my claws on him, I'll kill him myself rather than allow you."

Atem snarled softly and Yugi stepped forward. Yami shook his head. "You won't find me alone like this again," he announced. "And you'd do well to avoid Atem's claws, Jaden."

"You have such faith in someone whose already failed you."

"He's never failed me or anyone else."

"Half of protecting you was hiding you from my sight."

"He didn't fail at that. I did." Yami glanced at Atem and found the Sky Dragon staring at Yusei who was watching Jaden warily. After a moment his father looked over and Yami was glad to see only tired acceptance in his eyes. He didn't need to lay the blame of this misadventure on himself as he did everything else. "He taught me to sense you all and I wasn't paying attention when I was speaking to Timaeus. It had nothing to do with Atem failing me."

"Touching you should think so." Jaden looked over at Atem. "But I think you failed to save him the moment you allowed Seto to realize he existed. Bakura came for him, after all, didn't he?"

"He did. And he failed just as spectacularly as you." Atem turned back. "Yami is alive and well, as am I. Bakura managed nothing more than getting his own throat torn out."

Jaden snorted. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

They eyed each other a moment and then Jaden looked about. Yami could see Atem trying not to pant. He could feel where the soot was in his lungs and threatened a coughing fit. Yugi was unaffected as he was, standing and breathing the smoke in as if the air were clean. Jaden shook himself out again, and the flames shuddered and danced about for a moment. When he began glowing again, the smoke twirled and shook in the air, until finally the flames quivered and crept forward, darting like arrows, into Jaden's scales. The Fire Dragon shook himself again and the smoke dropped as if it were laden with stones.

The charred sides of the trees no longer smoldered. The trees lit from top to bottom in flame were now a blackened mess. The air returned to its usual cleanliness and a small breeze skittered across the branches.

Yami shivered.

So that was Jaden's ability as a Fire Dragon. He caught and controlled fire. He could manipulate every particle where he pushed the element through the air. He was capable of destruction and creation.

All the while Jaden did not break eye contact with him.

He smiled sharply, teeth glittering, and growled, "I hope we don't meet again, Yami" and then he was gone. Yami saw him take off without a second glance. Yusei looked after him, then turned to Yami.

"Are you truly Divine?" he asked, staring intently.

Yami tilted his head and smiled slightly, glancing at Leviathan and turning back. He looked him over for a long moment. "What happened to Sartorius? Jaden only supplied the name. Yubel was Sartorius's mother but who was Sartorius?"

"Supplied the…?" Yusei blinked and raised his head. "You read thoughts."

He nodded and turned away. "I do."

"Can you as well?" he demanded, turning to Atem.

"No," he spat. "I can't."

Yusei hesitated for a moment, then glanced over at Yugi and back. "I'm sorry," he muttered before looking to Yami again. His eyes sparkled with momentary excitement. "That's amazing. I didn't think I'd meet a Divine in my lifetime—not one that…"

Yami nodded slightly. He understood what he meant even if he didn't finish. He looked at Yugi and Atem again, wondering at the anger residing in Yugi and the quiet frustration in Atem. They were both shaken; he knew that, but Yugi was furious. He felt almost as terrible as Jaden had in close proximity.

Yusei looked at the Leviathan and raised his head. "Let's go, before Jaden decides we've been attacked and goes on the warpath." He turned to Atem. "I'm sorry. We were only supposed to check on the rumors, not shed blood."

"You're lucky Yugi and Yami are unharmed or I'd have killed all three of you."

Yusei nodded and flew off, Leviathan sparing a glance at Yami. The Water Dragon looked amused rather than upset, and Yami saw the smallest flicker of a large white male dragon with scales like feathers and huge wings. Yami blinked as the other male took off and finally turned to Yugi and Atem.

"Was Timaeus hurt?"

"No." Yami looked over and found the teal male seated a few paces back from where the other two God Dragons had been. He wasn't looking at Yami, however, and had his eye trained on Atem instead. "Yusei distracted me from the fight so I wouldn't get hurt and then he came after Jaden."

"I didn't know Jaden had that much power," Yugi hissed.

"Jaden is eldest for a reason. He's survived a lot more than I have," Atem said scornfully. He didn't look away from Timaeus, but Yami felt his stare. "He's a lot stronger than he acts when he decides he has to take action, but I was expecting worse."

Yami looked away, ducking his head. "It would have been if Yusei and Leviathan hadn't been here, too. He was more worried about them joining in and this turning into a full-fledged war."

"How good of him," Atem sneered, turning on him now. "You sensed them. I know you did. Why did you not run?"

Yami refused to look over. "I was curious."

"Your curiosity almost got Timaeus and Yugi killed."

"I know."

"You could have been killed."

"I know."

Atem fell quiet after a moment, then looked around slowly. His anger wasn't at the surface anymore, though it hovered there beneath like bubbling water under a sheet of ice. Yugi considered him with a bewildered look but Timaeus merely sighed and stretched his wings out to groom one. He looked frustrated, as if his energy were pent up and he didn't know how to expel it.

"C-can we lay down?" Yami blurted, startling the three of them into looking over with wide eyes. "I don't want to stay out here like this. And I'm…really tired."

Atem narrowed his eyes, expression slightly spiteful. Serves you right, he snapped, even as he muttered, "There's nothing I can do for the trees here. Let's go."

They trotted in a uniform line, Atem in the lead and Timaeus taking the rear to keep Yami from lagging behind. He wouldn't have, but it made sense and he didn't have the heart to cause further argument. Yugi was still furious, his aggravation aimed directly at Atem, and the God Dragon was stewing in his own rage. Yami felt shaky and tired the more he considered their emotions and his heart ached as he glanced back at Timaeus. The Wind Dragon obviously sensed the tension, because he watched Yugi as if the Gandora might spring on the Slifer at any moment.

Yami sighed and turned back. The walk to the den was going to be a long one.