Bit of PoV flip-flopping the first half of this chapter. I'm sorry!

"Bye! See you around!" Yugi shouted while waving back to his friends as they all went their separate ways out of the school gates.

When he looked back ahead, he noticed that Imhotep, Marik, and Bakura had kept on walking.

"Hey, wait!" he shouted as he ran to catch up.

"I said I was sorry, but honestly, you shouldn't have to rely on me to wake you up!" Marik shouted towards Bakura. The two had been bickering all day about how it was Marik's fault for them nearly being late for school.

Yugi ignored the two, focusing instead on his twin. Imhotep had been unusually silent and distant throughout the day.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

Imhotep's brow furled slightly in annoyance, and Yugi could hear the not-so-subtle groan that went along with it.

"For the hundred-millionth time…I'M FINE."

"I'm sorry, it's just that you've been really quiet today," Yugi stated, showing his concern.

"I'm entitled to have my off days," Imhotep replied irritably.

Bakura stopped his bickering with Marik to look over at the moody teen, saying something in the immortal tongue to him. Imhotep stopped walking, his eyes looking a bit surprised. He replied back, and after the two exchanged a few words back and forth, he hung his head and proceeded walking again.

"Um, what was that about?" Marik questioned.

"Immortal stuff," Bakura replied. "Nothing that concerns you," he added quickly.

Marik appeared caught off-guard by Bakura's tone, but didn't press. They turned between a few buildings, glancing around to be certain there weren't any witnesses, then vanished.

Yugi ignored their departure, having already gotten used to thinking of it as 'normal'. He and Imhotep continued to walk along in silence.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that," Imhotep said apologetically after a few minutes.

"It's okay," Yugi stated, still concerned for his twin. "You know I'll listen if you need someone to talk to about whatever it is that's bothering you."

Imhotep was quiet for several more moments before he spoke again.

"It's nothing big. Just something I've had to deal with for as long as I can remember. I've just never had to deal with it while being in close proximity to anyone outside of Mkhai and Shae. It's just something else I have to adjust to now that I'm allowed out into the world. I just wish it wasn't so uncomfortable."

"What are you talking about?" Yugi questioned.

"It's not something I'm fully ready to talk about just yet," Imhotep replied, still appearing distant.

"Oh…okay."

They walked the rest of the way back to the Kame Game shop in silence. Both were a bit confused when they arrived and saw the 'Closed' sign on the shop door.

"That's strange. Grandpa only closes the shop early when he has to leave for something important. I'm surprised he didn't at least send me a message to let me know," Yugi stated.

They walked around to the apartment entrance, and were surprised to see that there were lights on inside.

"Grandpa? Is everything okay?" Yugi shouted out as he stepped through the door.

Hearty laughter could be heard coming from the living room. Both teens looked at one another in confusion, then quickly removed their shoes and dropped their bags before rushing to see who was there.

"You forgot about the time Bakura and Katrina made off with the High Priest's robes and tossed them into the pond!" Atem said while laughing.

"Hey now! Those were my robes! And they were ceremonial!" Solomon remarked loudly.

"They were?" Atem thought for a moment. "I guess you're right. For some reason I was thinking they belonged to Aknadin."

"No. They hid a basket of rotting mullet in his room."

"Oh! That's right! That wing of the palace was uninhabitable for several weeks because of the smell, and somehow he became convinced that he'd somehow offended the gods…or something along those lines. Honestly, I didn't pay much attention to anything he said."

"You didn't pay attention to anything said by your advisors," Solomon said dryly.

"I might have if they didn't waste half my day getting to the point," Atem argued casually.

"Atem!" Yugi shouted excitedly.

"Yugi!" Atem stood up from the sofa he'd been sitting on and immediately rushed over to embrace his former host. After nearly squeezing the life out of him, he held him out at arms length. "It is good to see you again," he said with a smile.

"Same," Yugi chuckled. "I tried to visit the other day, but you had already left."

Atem's smile faded. "Ah, yes. I heard. I'm sorry I wasn't there. Oh! That reminds me! I have something for you," Atem said, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

He rushed over to his messenger bag, pulled out the notebooks he'd placed inside, then returned to Yugi.

"These are for you," he said while holding out the notebooks.

Yugi looked down at them for a moment, then took them and began flipping through the pages of the one on top.

"What's this?"

Atem reached out and turned the pages back towards the beginning.

"This page starts with the basic rundown about the history of magic, where it comes from, et cetera," he said dismissively. He then flipped forward a few pages. "This is where it actually gets to the point and explains the basic steps you'll need to take to learn how to detect it in yourself. There's another section that explains how to detect it in other sources, but it's essentially the same concept." He continued to flip through the pages in Yugi's hand, explaining the basic premise of each section. When he finally looked up, he was surprised to be met with a look of confusion.

"How long did you spend on this?" Yugi questioned, slowly going back through the pages.

"Um…"

Imhotep glanced at the page Yugi had stopped at from off to the side. "Wow…I could have sworn there was a lot less involved…even for non-magae folk."

Atem furled his brow in annoyance. "If you are referring to what you saw with me, keep in mind that I had a natural affinity for magic. My birth was blessed by the gods themselves, and they granted me many gifts."

"Yeah…I don't think 'blessed' is the word I would use. More like 'cursed'," Imhotep stated casually, still looking at the page in the notebook.

Atem's brow furled even further as he slowly turned his gaze back to Yugi. "Is he always like this?"

"Pretty much," Yugi replied, glancing over another page he had turned to. "Though this is probably the closest he's been to his 'normal' self all day."

Imhotep groaned in annoyance. "You try sitting around all day with your throat feeling like it's about to burst into flames."

Atem perked at the statement. He glanced back and forth between the two for a moment.

"Have you told him?" he asked Imhotep.

Imhotep narrowed his eyes and shot Atem a warning glare. "No. And you won't either. Shae will flay you and hang your hide on her wall if you do." He quickly turned and left up the stairs before anyone could say anything.

"Wow…that was a bit hostile…even for him," Yugi said in mild shock.

Atem stared towards where Imhotep had vanished up the stairs. "Considering what day it is…it actually sounds about accurate. And that's just based on my experiences with Katrina."

"Aaand…more mystery about what's going on with him. Great." Yugi said unenthusiastically.

Atem turned his focus back to Yugi. "Sorry. It is something only he or Katrina can explain to you. If you truly wish for answers, Katrina may be more accommodating."

Yugi nodded as if understanding then sat down on the sofa. Atem joined him on the opposite end.

"So, Grandpa…I'm assuming Atem being here is why the shop's closed?" Yugi questioned.

Solomon nodded. "The shop will still be here tomorrow. Making time for special guests is far more important to me." He stood and stretched. "I'll leave so the two of you can catch up on things. I need to prepare dinner anyway."

After Solomon had exited the room, Yugi turned his focus back to the notebooks he still held in his hands.

"You really wrote all of this down…just for me?"

"Well…yes. Katrina pointed ou-"

"Mom." Yugi corrected quietly.

Atem faltered for a moment before clearing his throat and attempting to continue.

"Y-yes. Your…mother…pointed out to me that you might be interested. I thought I would at least translate the basics…though I may have gone a bit overboard."

Yugi smiled lightly, then closed the notebook in his hands. "No, this is perfect. Thanks."

Atem suddenly felt uncomfortable in Yugi's presence, something he never imagined would be possible.

"U-um…you're welcome. So…if you have any questions…about anything…" he said nervously.

There was a long moment of awkward silence between the two.

Yugi was the first to shatter that silence.

"After I completed the Puzzle, I would have black-outs. That was you, wasn't it?" he asked while fidgeting with a piece of sofa lint.

Atem slowly nodded his head. "Yes."

"What kind of things did you do with my body?"

Atem had expected a question about the black-outs, and possibly more about what he did during those times, but he hadn't expected the question to be worded in this way.

"I'm not certain what you mean by that."

Yugi appeared to be thinking of a better way to word his question.

"Did you ever do anything like the night you locked me out of the Puzzle and woke up next t-"

"NO!" Atem quickly interrupted, finally catching onto what Yugi was concerned about. "No, nothing of the sort, I assure you. That particular incident was a one-time thing that I had no control over. That happened entirely on its own, and there was nothing indecent…aside, of course, from the fact that the person I was lying next to was indecent."

Atem could see how relieved Yugi appeared to be having heard this.

"Wait…did you actually think I might have done something like that?" he asked in puzzlement.

"Honestly, I hadn't a clue as to what you might have done. I know you didn't have your memories, but that doesn't mean certain aspects of the type of person you are weren't present," Yugi replied.

"Certain aspects of the type of person I am? I don't understand," Atem said in confusion. "Do you think I am someone different from the person you have come to know?"

"Well…just some parts," Yugi said while still looking anywhere but at Atem.

Things were becoming more confusing by the second for Atem. Since when did Yugi have doubts about him?

"I know how you died…and why," Yugi said, slowly bringing his gaze to finally look Atem in the eyes.

It took a long moment for Atem to process those words. "...you know…why?"

Yugi nodded his head.

"How? Who told you?" Atem asked, not comfortable with the fact that someone else had told Yugi. He wanted to explain things properly, just as he had done with Marik.

"I told him," Imhotep said while coming back down the stairs. "It just sort of came up."

"It sort of came up?" Atem said irritably. "How, exactly, does something like that 'sort of' come up?"

"It was one of those 'one question led to another' things. It was my first time physically hanging out with people. I know you've been too busy to notice anything since coming back, but guess what? I'm not exactly well versed in the art of social interaction. I have this nasty habit of speaking without thinking. Sadly, I know at least two other people that have this same habit. Maybe I picked it up from one…or both…of them."

"You can't use the shortcomings of others to justify your own," Atem said while scowling.

"Why not? Shae does," Imhotep scoffed. "You don't get it, do you? I overlooked your shortcomings for…well…most of my life. In just a few days, however, I've slowly begun to see that my idolization of you was just a massive waste of time."

Atem had to really bite his tongue on the first words that had popped into his head in regards to Imhotep and his attitude. He wanted to say 'You're mother did a poor job in raising you', but he knew deep down that it wasn't entirely Kat's fault. He knew that there were several factors involved, and that she tried her best.

He took a calming breath before speaking. "I understand what you are saying, and I am sorry that I let your expectations of me down."

The expression on Imhotep's face told him that the moody teen hadn't expected that kind of response.

"I…um…wouldn't put it as you let my expectations down…" Imhotep said quietly. "Sorry if I messed shit up by telling everyone what happened."

Atem felt a sudden panic rise within him. "Everyone?"

"Oh, yeah…um…Joey, Téa, and Tristan know too," Imhotep replied sheepishly. "But I didn't mention the more…um…the reason behind your words…a-and I didn't tell them what you said to make Set angry," he quickly added.

Atem relaxed. "That's good."

"You know that Shae didn't really care, right? She just wanted you to be honest with her."

"I know that now, but I wish I'd realized it sooner," Atem stated.

"So…um…not entirely sure what you two are talking about…" Yugi said awkwardly from off to the side.

Atem and Imhotep looked at one another for a quick moment, both contemplating their next move out of the situation.

"So…I'm gonna go let gramps know I'm leaving and won't be back 'till tomorrow," Imhotep said awkwardly.

"Wait, you're leaving?" Yugi asked in surprise.

"Oh, um…yeah. Sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It's…something I gotta go do." Imhotep then turned and began walking towards the kitchen.

"Did your mother get a hold of you about tomorrow?" Atem quickly asked.

Imhotep glanced back. "Yeah. I'll be there." He then continued on his way and vanished into the kitchen.

"Arrgh! I wish everyone would stop leaving me in the dark!" Yugi shouted, drawing Atem's attention back to him. "Why is it that today everyone is being more secretive than usual?!"

"If you are referring to what is going on with Imhotep and his reason for leaving, like I said, you will have to get the answer from either him or K-...your mother."

Atem hadn't realized how hard it was to think of Kat as Yugi's mother. Imhotep, sure. He was introduced that way…but Yugi? He then realized he had to start thinking of Yugi as not just his former host and friend, but as his son. He wasn't sure how he felt in regards to that dynamic.

Yugi sighed heavily. "I know. I'm sorry. I just can't help it." He leaned back into the sofa. "I guess I'm just compelled with wanting to help him with whatever he's going through. I'm not certain, but I think we both feel that way towards one another. My mind was full of racing doubts about everything after your return, and he showed up out of nowhere to help me through it. And it's been the same the other way around."

Atem leaned back, placing his hand up next to his mouth as if thinking while looking over at Yugi. He breathed out a small chuckle.

"What?" Yugi questioned, regarding Atem's amused expression.

"Has Imhotep explained to you what twins represented in ancient times?"

"He said that it was theorized that they were two halves of one soul, but that's about it."

"Did you know that Kemetic gods were nearly always born in pairs?"

"I knew about Isis and Osiris…"

Atem shook his head in amusement. "No. It was nearly all of them. They were born as opposites to one another. Each, half of a whole. Night and Day. Earth and Sky. Life and Death. I believe you and Imhotep are like that. Shadow and Light. One with Magae, one without. The two of you are a representation of Ma'at."

Yugi appeared to mull over this information for a moment, until his face scrunched up at an unpleasant thought.

"So you're saying that all the Kemetic gods were just brothers and sisters getting married to one another?"

"Essentially, yes."

"You don't expect me and Imhotep to follow that tradition, right?"

Atem couldn't help it as he burst into laughter, falling over onto his side as he gripped his own arms tightly around his ribs to keep them from hurting. The scowled look he received from Yugi made him both feel guilty for laughing, and it made him laugh even more.

"What's going on in here?" Solomon asked as he came from the kitchen to check on them.

"I apparently asked a 'dumb' question," Yugi pouted.

Solomon's scowl was all the warning Atem needed to calm his fit.

"I'm sorry," Atem began, wiping away a tear from the corner of his eye. "But to answer your question, no. I do not expect that of you."

Solomon rolled his eyes. "I probably don't want to know, do I?"

Atem shook his head. "Probably not."

"Very well. I originally came this way to tell the two of you to start getting washed up for dinner. It will be ready shortly."

Solomon returned to the kitchen while mumbling something about 'teenagers'.

"I apologize for the laughter. Your question was one I did not expect," Atem said with an apologetic smile.

Yugi hung his head sheepishly. "Well, it was kind of a dumb question."

Atem shook his head. "No, not dumb. Just unexpected. Now, if you had asked me that five-thousand years ago, you might have received a different response," he said with a small chuckle.

Yugi gave him a look of uncertainty. "I hope that was a joke?"

"We took everything that represented the gods very seriously. Royal twins, even if they were both male, would have been no exception. Especially if they were complementary opposites."

"I used to think ancient Egypt was fascinating and filled with mystery and wonder. Now I'm starting to realize it was just a bunch of perverts that worshiped incestuous furries," Yugi said dryly.

An annoyingly familiar laughter broke out near them.

"That is by far the best description I've ever heard!" Bakura said while leaning against a wall. "I am so stealing that. 'Incestuous furries'...love it."

Atem narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "Why are you here?"

"Oh, sorry. Did I interrupt some kind of 'bonding' moment? I was just on my way to wash up for dinner," Bakura replied in his usual sarcastic way.

"Dinner? Who invited you, thief?"

"I invited myself, thank you. One of the few perks of playing 'babysitter'."

"I don't need you to watch over me."

Yugi rolled his eyes and left the two to continue their bickering.

"It's not about what you want, it's about me following the order that was given."

Atem clenched his fists in frustration.

"I wish she would get it through her thick skull that I'll be fine."

Bakura stared boredly. "I actually have to disagree, but personally I could care less whether or not you'll be 'fine'."

"Of course. You only care if someone else tries to claim your kill."

"Yeah…that would really be a piss-me-off."

"Would you two stop bickering already and get washed up!" Solomon called out from the kitchen.

Atem pointed sharply at Bakura. "I will tolerate your presence, but you will be on your best behavior. No snide remarks or comments, no foul language…and, if it's not too much to ask, eat like a man and not a feral creature."

Bakura mocked a bow. "Oh, of course! Anything for you, Your Majesty!"

"I mean it, Bakura," Atem warned.

"Fine," Bakura said grumpily. "I'll be a perfect 'gentleman'. Hell, I'll even do the dishes after."

Atem stared blankly for a moment. He expected more defiance. "I can't tell if you're being serious or not."

Bakura ignored him and walked past. "If you'll excuse me, I still have to wash up. I would like to eat while the food is still warm."

Atem shook his head in exasperation and reluctantly followed to do the same.

So...I got impatient with 'The Lion and the Mouse'. All 3 chapters are now published under 'Tangled Web of Fate: Backstories' as chapters 2-4 here on FFN, or strait-up as 'The Lion and the Mouse' on AO3. Feel free to check it out!

I love reviews/comments, and they can be left either here on FFN, or you can reach out via my ask box on Tumblr ( Sesshy380) to let me know what you think/ask questions about any of my works/etc.