Chapter LXXVI: Punishment

"Did you wish to see more?" Yami asked quietly, searching Atem's face. "There's been two years of absence. I thought maybe you'd have wanted to know more."

Atem watched him for a long time. "I do. I just didn't expect you to have boundless energy and concentration like this." His eyes flickered briefly toward Yugi and back. "I had assumed you had more to share with me anyways, but I thought perhaps you were tired."

For the first time he noticed the toll all of it had taken on Atem. The God Dragon was slumped in his position, crouched rather than straight and regal. He looked exhausted, as if the world weighed upon his shoulders and dragged them visibly lower. He seemed haunted, and Yami could feel the desire for rest dripping from him now.

"Oh." Yami blinked and looked around briefly. Everyone was still gathered around to watch them, though he noticed a few mixed expressions. Some were curious, others bewildered, some shocked but enthusiastic, and a few darkened with anger. He turned back. "Here, let's go…um, lay down somewhere. I'll show you more as you rest."

Atem grunted, the noise noncommittal, and Yami tried not to show his disappointment. He'd hoped Atem would have been excited to see more but it was likely dampened by his frustration and inability to find alone time to process the immensity of the situation. Yugi, however, rushed to his paws with a sharp nod. He looked glad for the distraction or maybe just for an opportunity to forget what he'd been forced to admit to just minutes before.

Not for the first time Yami wondered what would happen. Could Atem find it in himself to forgive Yugi when the time came? Yami had the abrupt fear he'd messed up in returning so soon. And he'd promised Yugi he'd only return when things were better. But it was no longer a game of when things could get or became better. It had evolved when Timaeus was attacked, but it was especially different now that he had saved him.

But what was he supposed to do? He couldn't have just…sat back and let Timaeus die.

He led them across the camp, almost to Akunadin's den. Then he turned toward the one he'd noticed more or less abandoned or perhaps never preoccupied. It was small but spacious enough, set almost directly beside the leader's den, and he stopped once more to smell the stale scent which said it had not been used in at least a year. He couldn't sense anything wrong in there, nor the history of it. Even when he focused, nothing came.

He'd found during his time with Jonouchi, before he'd left, that he could sense the purpose of a place when he neared it, and see images of its use prior when he entered. He'd seen the den Jonouchi and Shizuka had used, had noticed where Yugi had once rested with them. He'd seen Yugi pace and count the days restlessly until he could find Atem. He'd heard the various arguments between Yugi and Jonouchi about Atem, from Jonouchi calling him a monster and saying Yugi would get himself killed to Yugi snapping that if he did not accept Atem as his mate when he won the courtship challenge then he'd have no place in his life any longer.

Yami looked around the den for a moment. The walls were bare of any scent and the floor looked almost untouched but for a few scattered paw prints that no longer held any relevance. He turned back. Atem was examining the area rapidly, eyes sharp and narrow, and Yugi looked exhausted as he went around him to take a seat nearer Yami.

"I never noticed this den."

"It's not in use." Yami smiled faintly when Atem looked over. "I can't even sense why it was here to begin with."

Atem studied him, narrowing his eyes. "Your abilities are growing then."

He nodded enthusiastically, pleased to see the spark of interest in his father's brilliant eyes. He took a seat toward the center of the den, sitting straight and wrapping his tail around his paws as he beamed at the other male. Yugi looked at the two of them with a small smirk even as he sat down. Yami searched their faces.

"They've gotten stronger as time passed!"

"Is that from constant use?"

"No," he promised, grinning. "It's just from aging, I think."

Atem considered him a long moment. "Is that so?"

"I don't use my abilities like Jaden or the others. I remembered you saying not to for fear it would make me dependent upon them as Jaden and the others are." Yami searched his face. "They happen with or without a decision to actively use them. And a few of them have crept in as I've grown older."

Yugi smiled faintly. "What can you do now that you didn't before?"

Yami tilted his head, considering how to explain. "Well, when I was younger I could see the territory no matter how far it stretched, especially if I knew someone within it that I could focus on. Now when I set paw in a new area, the territory reveals itself to me immediately. From there central points will become more prominent in my mind, and some of them I will see the reason as to their existence and their purpose. So, if there were a camp within the area I would see it and I'd see why it was established and how."

"See?" Atem echoed. "You see these events now?"

"Yes. When we walked into the den, I expected to see at least something, but I didn't sense anything this time." Yami looked at Yugi for a moment now. "Usually there are images or emotions in places, especially dens, but this one is just…empty and void of anything."

Atem tilted his head, glancing around the den. Yugi watched him from his peripheral but locked eyes with Yami, opening his mouth.

"Can you see Dimitri?"

Yami blinked and looked past Yugi's shoulder. Seto stood feet away, lashing his tail and snarling softly. "No," he mumbled, "I can't. I can't see him until he interacts with Yugi, Atem, or Timaeus."

"And yet you're here."

He narrowed his eyes. "Have you seen Yugi and Atem?" he asked slowly, hot with annoyance. "They're here, too. That's two of the three I just mentioned."

He felt the rage before it even entered Seto's tone. "I suppose it makes sense the most useless Divine would be related to the two most worthless dragons in existence."

Yugi twisted around to look at the Felgrand. Yami noticed Atem shift his weight. The Uria shook his head and hissed, "Look, Seto, resentment isn't a good expression on anyone, least of all you. You're already permanently scarred with it. It would be nice if it wasn't always in your heart as well, don't you think?"

"Oh, yes, let's hear a lecture from you."

Yami watched him for a long moment, then looked away and glanced at Atem. "A lecture isn't what I came to offer. I'm too tired to give one." He paused and looked back after a heartbeat. "I could heal you, but I doubt it'll do much to help. You're too bitter. It'll become a twisted, throbbing mess of resentment once more later, no matter how many times I tried to stop it."

"Do you even have power?" Seto sneered. "You were useless when you were a hatchling and you're useless now. I see no difference now from then."

"The difference is in that you're no longer panicked and looking to save your clutch. Now you're angry and want revenge because he ruined what should have been your perfect clutch." Yami paused. "And Mokuba was your favorite, so he hurt him the worst. And, so, here we are. Lash out as much as you wish. I don't care one way or the other how you react to any of it. But you'd be wise to remember I'm a Divine."

"I'm trembling," Seto spat, bristling and stepping forward. Yami didn't move from his seated position, and he noticed Atem watching him intently. He could feel the curiosity like blood on his scales, the wind tickling his skin. "What do you plan to do? Hide behind Atem?"

"I haven't hidden behind someone in years," he stated softly. "And if I were to hide from someone, it would not be you."

"Is that so?"

Yami rose to his paws. "It is. Would you like to see just how much I've grown in the last two years?" he asked quietly. He came forward a step. "I can show you if you'd like."

Atems curiosity became a gusting gale against his mind. Yugi was oddly quiet, as if he were judging the odds of this becoming a fight rather than anticipating what Yami might do. He still remembered Yami saying when he was younger he never wanted to have to hurt anyone…

But Yami didn't plan to hurt him.

That hadn't changed. He didn't want to kill or wound others. It was a necessity at times, yes, but he'd never challenged someone else. He'd had a few wayward encounters with hungry dragons older than him who had thought him easy prey. But he'd never sought a fight himself.

He raised his head and watched his sibling for a moment. Seto flexed his claws and snarled, debating lunging for him. He even thought of how to maneuver out of the den before Atem could get to him if he made contact. And then he snarled louder and backed a few steps away, eyes narrowed and head tilted. He bore his teeth more pointedly.

"You've only ever been brave when you have Atem's shadow to hide in."

"I struck you when we first met and Atem was not there."

Yugi snickered but still seemed oddly withdrawn from the situation. He looked uncomfortable and unsure when he glanced at him in his peripheral. Atem was more amused than ever, almost excited even.

Seto opened his mouth, then stopped short. His head snapped around and Yami couldn't tell who he was looking at for a long minute. And then he felt the aching pulse that announced Kisara. She wasn't within eyeshot yet, but she was speaking to Seto quietly enough Yami could not catch it. He glanced at Atem, who had angled his head just slightly and seemed to have caught the whispers from the female well enough. Yugi had also tilted his head, eyes narrowed in focus.

Can you hear her?

Atem didn't respond for a long moment. His eyes had glazed over for a split second and then he blinked and shifted to sit up, no longer eavesdropping. She was asking Seto where Noah is. Seto likely doesn't know how to answer so he's just standing there. She…wanted to know if there was a chance of getting him back.

Yami looked away. Oh.

Yugi remained listening a few moments longer, then turned abruptly to Yami. "She's asking for you."

He faltered and glanced at the entrance. Seto was effectively blocking him from sight, hissing, "He's not a Divine, because Atem isn't even a God Dragon. He's a worthless bastard of a pipsqueak and that's all he'll ever be. He's the entire reason everything keeps going wrong."

Yami glanced at his father. Atem had clearly heard but didn't seem to care. He was watching Yugi instead, golden eyes like chunks of metal as they bore into his mate's face. Yugi had stiffened and flexed his claws, head whipped around to take note of Seto's position.

"Don't," Yami whispered, nudging his shoulder as he leaned forward. "There's been enough bloodshed today. Let him rant and sneer all he wants. It doesn't mean anything."

And yet he knew Yugi disagreed. He knew he was considering Atem's self-esteem, always low so it dipped when he was unsuccessful but just stable enough he kept his head up and knew what he was and wasn't capable of. Yami almost laughed.

Atem's own lacking self-confidence was what kept him in check.

If he were arrogant and overestimated himself, the world would have suffered for it tenfold.

"Kisara," he called, cutting Seto off and making the Felgrand whip around to snap his teeth inches from his face. Yami didn't blink, considering him and shouldering past even as Seto snarled. He raised a paw and snapped his teeth, but it never connected. Yami slipped past him without a second glance, stepping into the sunlight and shaking himself out.

She looked amazed and horrified to see him there. The disbelief bled from her in waves for a moment and then she smiled slightly. "You're alive."

He nodded and ignored Seto as the Felgrand raced forward to take a spot beside his mate as if he truly suspected Yami might lunge at her. The Uria barely fought the urge to glance over his shoulder when he felt Atem and Yugi's stares on his back. They watched intently, as if they expected him to disappear otherwise or as if they thought Seto might lunge.

"Yugi said you requested me."

Kisara blinked and her eyes shot briefly past Yami's leg, but he didn't think she could see the Gandora or Slifer in the den behind him. "Right." She opened and closed her mouth, then slowly looked toward Seto and back. "Was the nest doomed from the beginning?"

Yami tried not to flinch. "It was…destined to happen, yes, but it wasn't doomed in the sense you're suggesting." He tilted his head. "Akunadin said he wished to speak to you—"

"And I wanted to hear it from you," she snapped, voice cracking like ice. She flinched and shook her head, eyes shining with pain. "What does that even mean? What you just said?"

Yami opened and closed his mouth, struggling to pick his words. He looked to Seto slowly. "Despite Seto's continued disrespect toward Atem and his status as a God Dragon, or your father's disbelief in their abilities and purpose," he said slowly, turning back to lock eyes with her, "it wasn't inflicted on you as punishment."

"It feels like one."

"I know. I know it does." Yami paused, struggling again to pick words that would not…destroy everything he sought to protect. One wrong word could have the same effect as a rock thrown across the water. The ripples could reach further and further and he'd never know the ramifications until it was too late. "And I wish I could explain it, but you have to know I mean it when I say this. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't brought on by you or your father, your sister, Seto, or anyone else. When the time comes, you'll understand, but for right now I can't tell you."

"You know why this happened?" she asked quietly, slowly, eyes narrowing drastically. She stared at him, and he felt the smallest coil of hatred followed by a swelling wave of shame and then frustration. "You know why this happened!"

Yami nodded. "I do." He raised his head. "And I'll tell you now I can't afford to tell you why. It could destroy everything. This entire mess…is as delicately linked together as a spider web. If I so much as disturb the smallest portions, it causes the entire thing to unravel. I saved Atem and Yugi, and Timaeus and the nest paid the price for it. I stopped Atem killing Seto, and now I have to wait to find out what might happen now to correct that."

Kisara blinked and looked past him toward the den. "Kill…? Why would he…?"

"Because your mate picks fights he can't afford to wage," Yami reprimanded, though he kept his tone somewhat gentle. He and Seto locked eyes and his sibling bore his teeth in annoyance but did not speak. "Atem would have killed him the moment he and Yugi separated. Because you know Yugi would jump between them when Seto moved forward."

Kisara glanced past him again and shivered. "Yes."

Seto bristled and scowled. "It's so funny that all of you underestimate my ability to handle myself. I could hold my own against—"

"Quiver before me," Yami snapped, eyes sharpening. "Quiver as you lie."

Kisara blinked and looked over with huge eyes. Atem and Yugi both peeked from the den entrance in order to see what had happened. They froze behind him and Yami lashed his tail. Seto scowled, paws shaking before he managed to straighten and step forward. The tremors stopped and Yami eyed him closely for a long moment.

"You know Atem would have killed you. Kisara knows that. Yugi knows it. I know it. Atem certainly knows it." Yami shook his head when Seto opened his mouth with a snarl. "Bite your tongue and hold your voice. I grow tired of listening to you."

He paused and looked over his shoulder when he sensed a small flicker of resentment course through Atem. It wasn't surprising, but rather disappointing. "I can't force my will over someone else's," he said gently in explanation, searching his face. His father narrowed his eyes. "It's a power of suggestion. I learned it from the humans."

Yugi bristled faintly. "You were with humans?" he asked, startled. "You were with humans in the southern region and you survived?"

Yami chuckled and locked eyes with Atem, voice teasing. "I was in the village." Atem tilted his head, and Yugi blinked wide eyes. "I saw you."

"What?" Yugi muttered, then sat up straighter. "The festival!"

Atem snorted. "The archer."

Yami grinned but turned back to Seto and Kisara. "If there is nothing else you believe of me, Kisara, trust in the fact that I know why this happened and it was not inflicted as punishment. There is no punishment for dislike of a deity, nor disbelief or even inattention. I promise you that." He paused and eyed Seto. "Though you deserve punishment, it won't be divine. You're more likely to have an eye struck from your skull one day when you overstep your bounds with the wrong dragon."

Kisara shook her head. "You swear to me?"

Yami blinked and nodded. "I give you my word. It was not punishment—divine or otherwise."

She hardly looked satisfied, but she nodded. "Okay…thank you."