Chapter LX: Accusations

Yugi shivered as Atem circled once more to get comfortable and rest. The Sky Dragon was still distant, lost in his thoughts as he had been before. He hadn't gotten any closer to telling him what plagued him, shaken and tired and far from comfortable enough to share. Atem looked as if he wanted to bite him when he drifted too close, though it hadn't taken more than a moment for him to realize himself and stop short. Yugi was struck with the unnerving reality Atem had forgotten himself and Yugi's presence. He'd done it multiple times when they were newly mated, but he had not since he'd laid Yami's egg. Everything had seemed more or less to settle in Atem's head then.

He wondered now if it was because of stress or if it had been Yami's doing.

"I wish to speak to Honda."

Yugi looked up again from his paws where he'd settled facing Atem. He blinked and stared, bewildered for a moment before tilting his head. "Why?" he asked gently. "I don't know that he'll have anything to tell you that my mom didn't."

Atem raised his head. "He will. She left soon after. I know that much. She fled after Sartorius was killed. She didn't say so, but I know she did. She wanted to run when she saw me. She was only seconds away. There was tension in her shoulders and her wings. I saw it. It's something I always paid attention to with suitors. I could tell when they planned to attack again and when they might flee. She had all the signs of taking flight."

Yugi frowned. "What else is there to know?"

"The aftermath of the attack. I need to know…because I think I… I think…" Atem stopped and looked away, staring down at his claws. "If I'm as powerful as Ironheart and Yami said—if I'm right, the responsibility will fall on me to kill the Divine."

He shivered. "What makes you think they'll have to die?"

"They've killed already. And they were hardly six moons, Yugi. They're not going to stop just because. Eventually they'll strike again. I don't know why they're hiding right now. I don't know why they haven't struck out again yet. But they will. And if I'm right…the other three won't be able to handle it alone."

Yugi narrowed his eyes. "Tell me you don't believe you're responsible for this," he said quietly, though he couldn't keep the sharp edge from his tone. Atem looked up, unblinking. "I don't understand how you twist things like this in your head to make everything your fault, but this? This isn't your fault."

"No…not all of it."

"Pray tell, what part of this is your fault?" he snapped before he could stop himself. He fought a snarl and tossed his head sharply with frustration. "What part of this entire mess that began before you were born is your fault?"

Atem grimaced. "It's not what happened before. It's what happened after."

Yugi barely suppressed the urge to lunge to his paws and loom over him. He knew better. He knew so much better than to get so excited. Atem flinched and withdrew into himself more firmly whenever Yugi acted like that. He wouldn't speak again for the rest of the night. And what little information Atem offered now was amazing to him. He clearly needed him to answer. He needed him to hear him, because he was scared and he wanted some way to process his thoughts.

Yugi couldn't react more than to acknowledge his words and vary his tone depending on the situation. But he was doing terribly at that already. Atem wasn't cowering like a beaten animal, but he had drawn his limbs closer to himself and pressed his wings firmly into his sides. He was trying to make himself smaller.

"What happened after that makes this your fault?" he finally managed to breathe out, though he barely stopped the snarl building in his throat. He flexed his claws irritably. "If you say protecting your brother's nest, Atem, I'm going to launch myself at you."

The God Dragon blinked, then snorted in surprise. His eyes were comically wide and he tilted his head. Yugi wanted to smile, but anger kept his blood hot and his claws dug deeper into the sand. "Well, yes, that's part of it. But I… I… It runs deeper than that."

"Okay, so explain yourself then. I'm confused, and I'm not happy when I'm confused."

Atem blinked, then smiled slightly. "You must be unhappy all the time then."

Yugi grumbled and sprang for him. Atem didn't move but for tipping his head up and huffing at him. Yugi raised a paw, placed it on his forehead, and pushed downward as Atem snickered. "You're… Shush." He laughed when Atem snorted and stuck his top tongue out to lick his paw. He considered him a moment, then leaned forward to lick his beak. "You know I love you, right?"

Atem blinked. "Yes."

"So, you know no matter what happens I'll help you through it?"

He stared for a moment, puzzled. "Yes." He blinked again, then tilted his head. "You've proven that before. I have no reason to doubt it now."

Yugi nodded slightly and pulled his paw away after a moment. "Then just… I don't know why you think you have anything to do with this, but please…"

Atem hesitated, picking his words for a long time. Yugi wanted for a moment to scream with aggravation, but he didn't want Atem to think he was upset with him. He just wanted to know. He wanted so badly to understand, so that he could argue and just… Why did Atem just carry so much guilt like this, without reason?

He wanted to reassure him, but the words wouldn't come.

He didn't know how to comfort him like this. What was there to say?

"It's Keith." Atem looked at him and then away again when Yugi blinked in bewilderment. "It circles back to Keith."

"Keith? Atem, Keith was never your fault. And what does he have to do with this?"

Atem opened and closed his bottom mouth, huffed, then shifted his weight and turned away entirely. "I don't want to explain it and be wrong. If I tell you, and I'm wrong…"

Yugi blinked. "What does it matter if you're wrong? You're allowed to be wrong sometimes." He tilted his head, uncertain. "Everyone is wrong sometimes, Atem."

"Yes, but if I'm wrong about this, then I've lost too much time already. Ironheart said after the second eclipse things will begin happening. I don't know when the second eclipse will transpire but I…I just feel like it must be soon. Everything seems like it's coming together after two years of silence and stillness. Everything just… I feel like it's all just been waiting for me to ask questions so it can rear its head again."

Yugi shook his head. "You feel like that because you've been thinking about Yami more often," he said gently. "And Yami told you if you learned too much, you'd cause a chain reaction. But he never said what there was to learn too much about, and we can't be certain this is it."

"What else could there be? I don't see the future. I know the past, and I understand the present." Atem looked over again. "And I had two dragons who told me to watch my paws and never to think too far ahead. But if I'm right and Jaden and the others can't contain the Divine Dragon, then it all becomes my responsibility. And what can I do if I don't know?"

Yugi faltered for a moment, then shivered. "Then I'll tell you what I told Yami. You don't have all the answers. Neither did he. Yami wasn't all-knowing. He didn't see everything. He saw smaller things that led to a big picture. He saw your memories and your dreams. But he didn't know all. There's a lot of room for interpretation with things and even more for errors."

Atem narrowed his eyes. "Yes, but if two dragons with the ability of foresight warned me against looking too hard into things, perhaps I should heed to them and leave it alone."

Yugi shook his head. Oh, Atem… "No. That's not… I won't let it happen. You've already come this far. I'm not letting you hide just because you're afraid of some…cryptic message parroted by two dragons."

"Yugi…" He sighed. "What if your parents are right? What if Jaden declares an edict to come after me as punishment? What if he tries to kill you?"

"As I said, I have teeth and claws. I have magic. I may not always want to use them, but I will. And if Jaden thinks he can punish you through me, he has another thing coming."

Atem tilted his head. "You think you can handle Jaden?"

"One on one? Yes. With so many distractions as last time? No. Between you and Yami, I was panicking one of you was going to get too hurt to make it out of the altercation. That's why I got hurt." He shook his head. He could take Jaden. He truly thought he could. He believed it. Jaden wasn't all powerful. And he was a Fire Dragon. Yugi himself was half Fire Dragon. It gave him a huge advantage when it came to that potential fight. It was his physical immaturity that had given Jaden such power over him. If his scales had hardened as they were now and would continue until he died, he would have won in a heartbeat. Gandoras were known for raw strength and power unmatched by many species. And Jaden had no control over him. He could not influence him as he did other dragons. He didn't know what caused it, but Atem had somehow granted him an immunity to Jaden's powers as well. "I'm also older and my scales have finally hardened enough. I could withstand any attack he sent my way, and I'd hardly wind myself if I caught fire again."

Atem studied him for a long minute. "I should hope you wouldn't have to."

"It's a last resort," he promised immediately, searching his face. He knew that, didn't he? Surely he didn't think Yugi would use it without reason. The amount of stress it would put on him as well as the sheer strength of it would have tired him and his opponent equally. "It's always a last resort."

Yugi was almost insulted Atem might have thought otherwise. But he didn't have the best record when it came to that. He'd clung to Keith with everything he had and set them both on fire to slow him down for Atem's sake. He still didn't know that Atem had needed it nor whether he'd truly been the reason Keith had been slowed. He liked to think it was because of what he'd done, but it had also seemed as if Keith had shaken it off almost effortlessly.

"Do you really think you're the only one who can kill this Divine?"

"Yami told me once I'm actually the most dangerous God Dragon in existence. He said if I hadn't met Timaeus I would have brought the world to ashes." Atem studied his face as if he expected Yugi to argue. But he'd always known. Atem was the gentlest, but his temper was one of searing flesh and bloodshed. His tail alone was the deadliest thing Yugi had ever seen and when he struck, it was almost impossible to see. Aiming took only a heartbeat for him and that was when he debated mercy. Otherwise he struck hard and fast and severed heads rolled instantly. It was as easy as breathing for him. "If he was right, then this Divine being family is not the only reason I should be the one to destroy it."

Yugi considered him for a long time. "I don't want to think of you getting hurt again."

"I'll be extra careful," Atem teased. He was smiling, but his eyes had darkened slightly. Without pupils, it was hard to tell if he was stressed through direct eye contact. But he could see it in every muscle of his body. Atem was tense, flustered and annoyed. "Thank you for your concern."

Yugi blinked, startled, and smiled as he nudged his shoulder with his beak. "You're my heart. You know that."

Atem grunted softly, as if he wanted to argue but could not find the energy. Then he leaned over and nudged him gently in turn, gusting a breath against his leg.

Seto looked up as he heard paws on the limestone. He blinked and tilted his head, considering the golden-scaled dragon approaching him. He huffed a breath, annoyed, but did not snarl as he wanted. Jaden stopped feet away, casting a glance past Seto and toward Akunadin where he stood beyond his shoulder. He knew he was behind him because he'd gone to see Kisara and the clutch. He bristled and glanced behind him as well before turning back. Jaden stared at him, red-orange eyes sharp and glittering.

"Seto," Jaden said quietly, stepping forward, "I had a question to ask you."

Seto blinked and scowled. "Me? You want to speak to me?" he scoffed. He shook himself out, getting to his paws and meeting his stare without pause. "What do you want?"

Jaden looked around once, as if possessed to survey their surroundings, and then smiled. It wasn't an easy expression, and Seto almost swore it looked malicious as he studied him. "We have a conversation that desperately needs spoken. Come with me."

"Why would I do that?" he snapped.

Jaden leveled him with a sharp look. "Because if you don't, I'll beat the insolence out of you and I'll tear this camp apart if they should try to protect you. I'll rip your mate into pieces before your eyes and I'll break every bone in your hatchlings' bodies."

He froze, stunned. Jaden had never been one for threats from what he knew of rumors and legends. He'd never heard of Jaden being one to threaten others, regardless of reason. From what he knew Jaden had always taken action rather than displayed rage in that manner. Atem was the one to waste his breath with threats and fail to follow through.

He huffed a breath and stepped forward. "You think you could harm any of them before Atem might intercede?"

"You plan to hide behind your brother?" Jaden sneered. "I'd have considered not with how much you hate him."

Seto bore his teeth. "I may loathe him, but you've forgotten he's loyal to me."

"Is he now?" the Prime Material Dragon asked slowly. He eyed Seto for a moment and then laughed softly, baring his teeth into a sinister smile. "He's so loyal to you that he'd leave you to die."

"What?"

"You don't think that Divine you've managed to breed will let you survive when he takes action, yes?" he asked mildly. He turned away and shook his head, moving a few feet ahead before looking back. "Do you plan to follow or not?"

Seto hesitated, glancing back at the nursery again. Akunadin stood in the entrance, blocking the hatchlings from sight. He studied the Clan leader a moment, then turned back and followed the God Dragon. Jaden led him just far enough away that they would not be overhead but that the sentries could still see them. Jaden turned around then, studying him for a long handful of seconds. His eyes flickered across Seto's, the pupils dark and shrunken to pinpricks.

"What did you want?"

Jaden smiled faintly. "You're always so fierce when you think you've the right to be. Yet, considering your expression now, you seem shaken. Are you so afraid to be alone with me?"

"I want to know why. I want to go back and spend time with Kisara."

"Right." Jaden lost his smile and tilted his head. His eyes flashed and glowed and Seto felt as if claws had dug themselves into his flesh. "Tell me something. You plan to spend time with Kisara and your hatchlings, and yet you were willing to kill Yami."

Seto blinked and stiffened. "Yami is dead?"

Jaden narrowed his gaze and tilted his head. "You…did not do it." The glow in his eyes faded entirely. He stared blankly and sighed, then turned away. He shook himself out in annoyance and studied the camp. "I would ask if it was one of your hatchlings to do it, but I doubt you would know. I also do not believe you would tell me. After all, you've lied to me prior and I'm sure you'd do anything to protect your kin. Your species as a whole is a monster when it comes to protecting your offspring."

"Yami isn't dead," Seto snapped, bristling.

His mind reeled for a split second as he realized he could have been stepping into a completely obvious trap. The Clan had denied knowing of Yami's existence altogether when the God Dragons had come to investigate the rumors. He'd said Yami was adopted, that Atem and Yugi had merely brought him in when the nest seemed abandoned. He had easily just blown what little chance of discretion remained in three words. But why would he have come there to say that if he didn't know who Yami actually was?

Jaden looked over at him, narrowing his eyes and studying intently. "You didn't know."

Seto scowled. "What are you talking about? Yami was fine the last I saw of him. He was—Atem and Yugi love him. How could he possibly be dead? Atem would have slaughtered anyone for him."

Jaden huffed a breath and shook his head, aggravated as he paced a few steps. "I don't know what happened. Yusei came to attack me and demand answers as to why I broke my end of the truce I made with him. He said Atem had said I killed Yami, but I never went back to find him. Yusei wanted to see if there was a way we could utilize him later should things escalate past what they already have. I agreed with him that Yami should survive if only for that. But Atem claims I killed him immediately after."

He bristled, fearful and ashamed of the confusion racing through him. What did that mean? Atem had accused Jaden of killing Yami? But Yusei and Jaden had reached a truce instead? Seto glanced over his shoulder again. Rafael had come to the entrance of the den, speaking to the sentry, but Seto could feel his stare on his flesh. He turned back immediately, narrowing his eyes.

"Atem thinks you killed Yami," he said slowly, almost accusatory in tone, and nearly bore his teeth. Jaden was unwavering in his stare, expressionless and unmoved by his shock. "Why would he accuse you if you weren't at fault?"

"Is it not obvious?" Jaden dismissed. "You know I'm the one most likely to do it. I'm the who wouldn't hesitate to kill in order to prevent future casualties. Don't you remember the gathering?"

Seto bore his teeth. "So why is it you claim otherwise?"

"Why should I take blame for something I did not do?"

He snarled softly. "So you planned to accuse me instead?"

"Aren't you the most likely suspect behind me? Yami posed a threat to your nest if he grew to master his abilities. Your son is a menace, though I don't know which. And if our truce had held, we would have been able to utilize him later to fight your son when his tendencies worsened." Jaden smiled faintly, maliciously, and tilted his head. "If you knew Yami was such a big threat to your family, wouldn't you put an end to him? Not to mention your jealous streak. You've always been so obsessed with forcing Atem to deference. Having survived torture when he was younger and then doing the impossible and producing an egg with an incompatible partner must drive you insane."

Seto blinked. "What?" he managed before snorting and struggling not to laugh. "Are you serious? Are you honestly going to try to bait me into agreement? Are you bored? You have nothing better to do, Jaden?"

"Bakura found out when the Clan did."

"Bakura…found out a moon before that. He left without explanation and then returned that night when he apparently realized Atem might bring Yami to the camp. It had nothing to do with me except for when I initially told him and Malik."

"So, Bakura runs off on his own and no one asks where he is?"

"He was an adult. I didn't have a reason to follow him like he was hatchling. Besides that, who cares what he chose to do?"

"You understand he's dead."

Seto blinked. "Yes. What's your point?"

Jaden snorted and shook his head. "You, Malik and Bakura… The three of you… You're sickening little creatures. You, carving your brother's side open because his initial reactions to pain were dissatisfying. Bakura, trying to break his spirit and his body for fun, always tearing off claws or trying to break his wings. And Malik, never one to truly cause pain but always one to follow and encourage the torment. And all of that…because Atem was born a God Dragon and you thought it should have been you instead. And Bakura… He was a monster through and through. I felt his rage and that festering hatred he harbored for Atem, because Atem wasn't afraid of anything and he knew mercy and kindness. What a disgusting little creature to want to break someone just because they don't believe in senseless violence. I saw his past when I tried to see who killed him that night Malik came to visit me."

Seto snorted. "I grew up with him. I don't need a refresher on what happened to Atem when he was younger. I don't need you to remind me of what we did to him."

"Really? Because, honestly, I think you do. I think you need to be reminded." Jaden bore his teeth. "Bakura hated Atem from the moment he hatched and your parents welcomed him into the world. He was bitter and angry and he latched onto Atem as the reason. The reasoning behind it was something I couldn't pick out, but he loathed Atem. He hated him more than I've ever felt in another dragon before. It was suffocating. And he lived with that every day of his life, because it only got worse as time passed. When your parents found out about Atem and your father attacked the three of you, he killed Bakura by accident. Bakura lost a heart for the first time in his life and he decided that was Atem's fault as well."

He bristled faintly. "It was because of him that our father decided to punish us."

"Atem never asked you be punished. He never even tried to hurt you in return. You all turned on him constantly and he didn't even think to hurt you as payback." Jaden closed his eyes. "And, later, you approached him for help with Kisara. As the story goes, he listened to every word you said and then he beat you. He threw you around like you were a sheep before a lion. He tossed you like a toy and he broke your jaw. He cut your face so terribly the scar still lingers when you angle your head in the right light. He told you never to return or else he'd kill you."

"What is your point?"

"And you begged him again for help against Keith, to save your mate. And again he initially refused. He let you sit on that and he was willing to leave it to chance whether she survived or not."

"What. Is. Your. Point?"

Jaden's eyes snapped open. "My point is that Atem has no loyalty to you. He hasn't since before his side healed. He would have left you to die if it had not been for Yugi. Had it not been for Yugi showing him affection so soon before you'd interacted with him, he would have." He paused. "Yugi taught him a lot in that short span of time he was with him before you arrived. It was all Yugi's doing that you survived that second encounter."

Seto blinked and bore his teeth in annoyance. "I'm glad you've become such an expert on Atem in the meantime. I'm also glad you've decided you need to waste my time telling me what I already know."

"But do you? You think you're owed recognition and power and satisfaction in life, all because your brother is a God Dragon. You think he should have brought you leisure when you did nothing to help him prosper in turn." Jaden snarled softly. "Truthfully, I'd assumed it was you to kill Yami because you were always so bitter and blame so much on your youngest brother. Atem certainly deserves none of the resentment. He's done nothing to hurt you, even when he could have easily killed you. I guess he learned that from Timaeus, when they recovered together before he returned to his current territory."

"Why are you bothering me with this?"

"I'm bothering you, because I hope you realize," Jaden said abruptly, voice scornful, "that when I come to kill your sons, Atem will not stand in my way to protect them."