Chapter 10

Over the course of the next few days everyone who knew the former Pharaoh best noticed a shift in his demeanour. To anyone else it seemed as though he was completely content. But he wasn't. Something was on his mind. Yugi, in particular, could see how heavily he was brooding sometimes. He still got involved with the dig and the other activities but sometimes the smile on his face didn't reach his eyes. Sometimes when it appeared he was simply concentrating on whatever he was doing he was actually brooding. Any attempt by Yugi to discover what exactly was on his mind was rewarded with only the reassurance that he was fine. As much as Yugi wanted him to, he knew that if Atem didn't want to talk about something then he wouldn't and no amount of asking would get him to talk. Atem would tell him, it was only a matter of time, so all he could do was wait.

Lying in his bed, his hands behind his head, he stared up at the ceiling. There were too many thoughts going around his head. The only sounds in the trailer were that of paper being turned. Although he'd not sat up yet Yugi knew that the former Pharaoh was sitting in one of the arms chairs at the other end of the trailer. It was fairly early in the morning, earlier then Yugi normally woke but the steady stream of thoughts going through his head wouldn't let him go back to sleep. He wasn't surprised at all that Atem was already awake, he'd always been an early riser. He could normally be found awake and reading in the early hours. Another page was turned. Shifting slightly his gaze travelled from the ceiling towards the window. The suns rays were getting brighter, the temperature was rising. They were in for another hot day. More pages turned. At this Yugi frowned, that didn't sound like Atem was simply reading. Far too many pages had been turned and far too quickly. He shifted in bed again, turning to his side so he could see the former Pharaoh. He was sitting with a large book on his lap, his brow furrowed. He was clearly looking for something rather then reading. It didn't appear as though Atem had realised that Yugi was awake, so taken up in whatever he was looking for that he was, for now, unaware of his surroundings, which was not like him. Yugi watched the emotions move across his face. Since Atem thought he was the only one awake his guard was down, allowing the emotions he was feeling to show. It appeared that whatever he was looking for was frustrating him. This was then confirmed when Atem made a small sound of frustration before he stood, still holding the book. He moved towards his bed, his eyes locked on whatever he as looking at.

"Are you alright?" Yugi asked.

Atem jumped, the book falling out of his hands, landing on his foot. There was a small inadvertent yelp before he crouched down, a hand moving to the effected foot. Yugi sat up watching him, part of him wanted to laugh but given Atem's manner the last few days he waited. A few seconds past before Atem looked at him. There was a hint of amusement on his face.

"I suppose that's what happens when I'm not paying attention." He said.

A cautious smile spread on Yugi's face, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

The former Pharaoh merely waved a hand at him, showing him it was fine. With the hand not still holding his foot, he picked up the fallen book and placed it on the bed. He gazed at it for a moment before turning back to Yugi.

"You're not usually awake this early."

"Too much on my mind," Yugi replied, swinging his legs out of the bed.

Atem gazed at him for a moment before his gazed travelled to the window, before making its way back to Yugi moments later. A smile appeared on his face, the first proper smile for a few days. He said nothing but motioned to Yugi to follow him. Curious, Yugi stood and, after throwing on some clothes, followed the former Pharaoh who was waiting for him outside. Atem led the way from the trailers and they began making their way up the sand dunes. They finally stopped on the same dune that just the other week they'd been sliding down. But this time they simply stood at the top and watched as the sun got higher and higher in the sky, illuminating the view. Rays of light touched everything in sight and just off in the distance Yugi was pretty sure he could the tips of the Great Pyramids. Truly it was a sight to be seen.

After a few long minutes of silence the pair sat, both still taking in their surroundings. Yugi took a deep breath, a proper smile making its way across his face. Turning he saw Atem gazing at the scenery as well, but he could see the look behind his eyes. He was thinking, brooding about something. But the look was gone as he realised Yugi was watching him. Instead, he turned to meet Yugi's gaze, a smile forming on his face.

"Feel better?" He asked.

Yugi nodded, "A bit."

"What's on your mind?"

Yugi made no response, simply looking at the Pharaoh. After a couple of long seconds the former Pharaoh sighed, understanding what Yugi was saying.

"I'm fine Yugi." Was the reply.

But Yugi shook his head, "You're not though. Atem you can't lie to me, something is on your mind and it has been since we were at the river."

Atem looked away, not wanting to meet Yugi's gaze anymore. Drawing one of his knees up he rested an elbow on it and covered his mouth with his hand. Yugi knew exactly what that meant and knew he'd be right to suspect something was on his mind. He could say more, try to persuade Atem to talk to him but he knew that in this case he didn't need to. Reading Atem's posture told him everything thing he needed to know. So instead he waited, keeping his gaze on him. Another few long moments passed but he heard Atem sigh.

"I'm sorry for worrying you Yugi."

Yugi shook his head, "It's fine, don't worry about it, just please talk to me."

Atem rubbed his face with his hand, a very clear sign of his discomfort.

"Remember when I was rather unwell, and I saw something in your room."

Yugi nodded but said nothing.

"Apart from that hole in the floor I saw something else. It was a person, or at least I believe it was. It was so familiar to me yet I couldn't tell you where I've seen it before. It said nothing to me just stared, well I think it stared but it was difficult to tell because it's had no sight. But as I looked at it that hole appeared in the floor and it fell out of sight." He closed his eyes, "It's shriek Yugi, it was a sound I've never heard before. I didn't see it again until the other day by the river."

For a moment Yugi just stared at him, his mind processing what he just been told. It was no wonder Atem had been so unsettled on that day. He mentally kicked himself now for shrugging it off as just a part of his illness. It was obvious now that it wasn't a fever induced delusion.

"What do you think it means?" He asked slowly.

Atem shrugged, still not looking at him, "I've been trying to work that out. That's what I was doing this morning, I thought if I could find something in one of the books it might jog my memory but so far, no luck."

Yugi set a hand on his arm, "We'll figure it out."

Atem finally looked at him, a half-smile appearing on his face. He couldn't deny he felt better for having told Yugi. But then again perhaps Yugi was only humouring him and thought he was mad.

There was silence between them for a while as each mulled over their own thoughts. As the silence stretched the sun got higher in the sky and Yugi found his gaze had moved back to the dig site. It was likely that everyone was awake and starting the day. It was also likely that their absence had been noticed, which meant that they should probably head back and stop everyone worrying. Stealing a glance at the former Pharaoh he saw that he still looked a bit troubled. However, His posture was more relaxed as though some weight had been lifted from his shoulders. However, his mind was clearly still whirring trying to figure out what all this meant. Yugi fished around for something else to talk about to try and distract Atem, but it turned out that was not necessary as at that moment they heard someone shouting.

"Hey! If you guys are trying to get in some secret surfing practice then you should've invited me!"

Turning to the source of the voice they saw Joey making his way up the dune towards them. Yugi smiled as he approached. Joey came to a halt in front of them, he turned around slightly to take in the view for himself. A small whistle could be heard before Yugi looked up at him.

"So how worried was Grandpa?" He grinned.

Joey snorted, "Not as much as you'd think."

"But he still sent you out looking."

"Actually, I offered to come find you. Got me away from certain people."

Yugi looked at him, a questioning look on his face.

"Tea and Elijah." Joey simply stated.

A frown crossed Yugi's face and he turned away, looking out over the view once again. After several seconds Yugi looked back.

"What do you think she sees in him?"

"What apart from the muscles?"

Yugi scowled at Joey as the latter just grinned at him.

"Don't worry Yuge, he ain't got nothing on you. But muscles do help."

"I only ask as a friend." Yugi insisted.

Joey and Atem exchanged a look, a similar expression crossing their faces showing they didn't believe him for a minute. There was a brief silence before there was a slight rumbling sound. The two look-a-likes glanced at each other before looking at Joey, who was still standing in front of them.

"Is that your stomach?" Yugi asked, half astonished half impressed.

"No…."

There was another brief pause which was quickly interrupted by another rumble from Joey's stomach.

"Ok yeah it is but I haven't had breakfast yet!"

Yugi laughed, shaking his head as he got to his feet.

"Fine let's head back, after all we don't want you to waste away."

"Exactly! I'm practically skin and bone here!"

As Joey bounded away, he slipped on the shifting sand and ended up sliding down the dune. Yugi laughed at the sight before following more careful, he threw a look back at the former Pharaoh who had got to his feet as well. He was wearing a rather amused expression as he watched Joey dust himself off at the base of the dune. Together they headed back towards the trailers and then on to the canteen tent where it came as no surprise that they found Tristan already there, wolfing down his breakfast. As Joey hurried off to get his own breakfast stack Yugi shook his head, grinning. He made to follow him but something stopped him. His eyes found nearby table where he saw Tea but also Elijah. Tea was smiling and laughing at something Elijah must have said. An odd sensation arose within him, something which he couldn't quite put a name too. It took a lot of effort but he managed to tear his eyes away and follow Joey.

As Yugi settled into his breakfast with Joey and Tristan he noticed that there was someone missing. It seemed Atem had opted not to join them, instead he was talking to both Solomon and the professor. When he caught Atem's eye the latter smiled slightly at him before following the two elder men out of the tent, not doubt they were heading back to the pits. Yugi watched him go for a moment before turning back to his breakfast, his thoughts went back to what Atem had told him that morning. If he was seeing something, it couldn't be a good thing. Well, seeing something that wasn't real was always a bad thing but in this case it wasn't that Atem was losing his mind. No one who knew the once King would say that. No, it had to be a warning of some sort. But what it could possibly be about Yugi had no idea. After all these years there, surely, wasn't any other force out there which could be out to get them or cause harm. Yugi bit his lip slightly, they'd work it out they always did but he just hoped that whatever this was it didn't end up leading them into trouble. They'd had enough for that for an entire lifetime.

After eating his breakfast Yugi left Joey and Tristan, who were slumped in their chairs after inhaling too much food, and made his way to the pits. It wasn't a surprise at all to find the once King there with the professor. Taking in Atem's face it seemed as though for the moment he'd put that figure to one side to concentrate on an activity which he was enjoying. Smiling at the scene he joined his grandfather in one of the nearby pits once again. They carefully began digging through the ground in search of precious items. For a while the scene was rather peaceful but a shout suddenly cut through the air.

"Professor! Look! Look what I found!"

Looking up Yugi saw the professor hurrying over to the pit where a certain young man with waving in excitement at him. Yugi's eyes narrowed as he watched Elijah talking rather animatedly to the professor, pure glee on his face.

"Show off." Yugi mumbled, looking away.

There were the sounds of excited talking for a while before the professor called Solomon to join him. Grandpa, who was behind Yugi, tapped him on the back as he passed clearly wanting Yugi to follow. Rather reluctantly Yugi climbed out of the pit and followed his grandfather.

"Let's see what the show off has found, shall we?" Grandpa whispered.

Yugi stared at him for a moment before watching Grandpa move to the professor's side. The professor was holding something out to him, something which looked like a ring. A rather important ring by the looks of it. There appeared to be a large oval gemstone set into the metal but what gem it was or even what colour it was difficult to tell. Something in the corner of his eye caught his attention, turning to face it he saw that Atem had noticed the commotion. But something wasn't right with him. Despite his expression remaining neutral Yugi saw recognition in his eyes. Atem obviously knew what the ring was or rather whose it had been. But he made no move to stand or move over to the group, he merely watched them. Turning back to his grandfather, who was still holding the ring, Yugi attempted to gain his attention. He wanted his grandfather to be aware of Atem's recognition. But that seemed impossible, Grandpa was far too busy congratulating Elijah on finding it. Managing to stop a scowl crossing his face Yugi moved away, intending to check on the former Pharaoh. But when he turned back to the former Pharaoh he found the latter on his feet. He was clutching his left hand with his right. Yugi could just see the thick, red liquid dripping from between his fingers. He broke into a run stopping at the top of the pit Atem was standing in.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

Gritting his teeth slightly Atem nodded, "I wasn't looking and put my hand on whatever that is called."

He gestured to a nearby trowel with his uninjured hand. The bladed, sharp edge of the trowel glistened menacingly at him, a sickly bead of blood trickling down it's silver surface. Yugi extended his hand to help the former Pharaoh climb out before following him away from the pits. He briefly looked over his shoulder and saw that Grandpa had noticed them walking away.

They headed back to their trailer where Atem moved immediately to the sink, running his bleeding hand under the cool water whilst Yugi hunted about for a bandage. He practically opened every cupboard before finally locating the first aid box. Returning to Atem's side he found his friend staring at his bleeding hand, looking lost in thought.

"Can I see it?" Yugi asked.

Atem didn't respond but held his still bleeding hand out to Yugi, who looked at it. The cut was long and thin, making its way across the whole of his palm. Despite how much it was bleeding it didn't seem that deep, but if anything that made it worse. Picking up a square dressing from the first aid box Yugi covered the wound before picking up a bandage and carefully wrapping it round the dressing, securing it in place. On Atem's part he made no complaint, his thoughts far away.

"I'm sorry." He said, eventually, "I was stupid, I wasn't looking."

Yugi shook his head, "As long as you're ok that's all that matters."

Atem made a slight noise but said nothing. Yugi secured the bandage on Atem's hand and cleared up as Atem held onto his injured hand again, looking distractedly out the window. Returning the first aid box to the cupboard Yugi looked around at his friend, taking in the careful expression on his face.

"Whose ring was it?" He asked, quietly.

Despite the question Yugi had an awful feeling he knew. Atem looked down at his bandaged hand for a moment before meeting Yugi's eyes. There was a slight sadness in his gaze, accompanied by a sad smile and the answer.

"My father's."