Chapter 32

Yugi's mouth dropped open, he made no move to close it, in fact he didn't even realise he'd opened his mouth at all. He merely stared at the person in front of him. Atem bore no signs of injury or any sign of the ordeal he'd been through. Much as his own injuries were none existent, it appeared that in whatever world they were in Atem's injuries also no longer existed. He stared at his closest friend, not quite believing that he was really standing in front of him. But then he shouldn't be, he couldn't be here. Wherever here was. Atem was lying in a hospital bed fighting for his life, wasn't he? Atem, who'd patiently held his gaze, almost chuckled at the look of astonishment on Yugi's face. Glancing at the fig in his hand he tossed it at Yugi, who's bewilderment was broken as his instincts finally slapped him out of his trance to catch the object flying towards his face. Catching the fruit with slightly shaking hands he slowly moved towards the Pharaoh, who'd turned his attention back to the tree, casting his eyes around at the other fruit which were still attached to the tree. Yugi continued to close the distance between them holding the fig tightly in his hands, watching as Atem reached up and pulled another fig down from the tree. He tried to say something, anything, but his voice seemed to be in a stunned silence. Minutes stretched between them, Yugi was still too shocked to form words and the Pharaoh was distracted. He was glancing between the fig in his hands and the others in the tree. But eventually Yugi managed to put voice to his thoughts.

"H-How are you here? He asked.

Atem looked up at him, a hint of amusement on his face, "I suppose that is the big question."

Seemingly having decided the fig he was holding was satisfactory the Pharaoh turned and walked away, taking a bite of the fig as he went. Yugi stared after him for a moment before hurrying to catch up with him. There was silence as Yugi followed the Pharaoh, he turned the fig he was still holding over in his hands. The Pharaoh, having eaten his own, was looking around at the vast gardens which surrounded them. More silence fell between them before Yugi stopped, frowning at his friend.

"I don't understand." He said, "What's going on here?"

Atem stopped, turning to face his young friend. He tilted his head very slightly at the question. Yugi blinked at him, he'd been expecting an answer. But when none came, he asked a different question.

"Where are we?"

"I think you of all people should know exactly where we are."

Yugi bit back a huff of frustration, Atem was being rather cryptic. He stared at the Pharaoh who merely smiled at Yugi before turning and continuing to walk to wherever he was going.

"Wait Atem!" Yugi hurried after him, "I bumped into Mahad and Mana before I found you, they said I needed to help you. What's going on?"

There it was. A change in his expression, the understanding of exactly what Yugi was talking about. But it was gone as quickly as it came. The Pharaoh made no answer, in fact he seemed to pick up the pace slightly as he walked. Yugi hurried to keep up with him, looking around. It was only now that he realised that the palace seemed rather empty. The occasional guard appeared around them but that was it. Surely the Pharaoh had a vast amount of people working for him. Then there was Mahad and Mana, they were nowhere to be seen nor was any other holder of the Millennium Items. Surely they would be around, even if they weren't specifically watching the Pharaoh.

They didn't speak again until the Pharaoh seemed to reach his destination. They had moved from the gardens to a large courtyard, another large stone gate stood nearby with a few guards standing in front of it. Near to this gate was a small stone building, despite its small size it was still rather grand. This building held no door only an archway in the centre, with small windows lining the walls. Whilst Yugi had paused to take in the sight, the Pharaoh moved towards the building and disappeared inside. Realising the Pharaoh had disappeared he hurried into the building, he was determined not to let Atem elude him until he worked out exactly what was going on. He wasn't entirely sure what he would find inside the building but it wasn't this. The building in fact turned out to be a stable, but it was empty apart from two stalls at the end. In the two stalls stood two horses, one was a chestnut colour, the other grey. Atem stood to one side of the chestnut horse, he was stroking the chestnut horse's face whilst looking at the grey horse, which was making nickering sounds, a soft smile on his face. Cautiously, Yugi moved towards them, as he did he heard Atem speak but was unable to make out what he was saying. He was speaking Egyptian, seemingly calming the horses as they grew slightly restless as a new person drew closer to them. Moving from the chestnut horse's side he stood in front of it, one hand on the chestnut's muzzle the other stretching out to do the same to the grey horse. He continued to speak softly as the horse settled down shaking its head. Atem, one hand still on the chestnut horse's muzzle, looked as Yugi approached. Although Yugi kept some distance between him and the horses. Indicating the chestnut horse Atem spoke.

"This is Abda," His free hand pointed at the grey horse, "And that's Makin, he's not a tough as he came across just then."

Yugi smiled, "They're beautiful."

Atem's expression became thoughtful as he nodded. As if picking up on his thoughtfulness Adba nuzzled Atem's cheek, catching the Pharaoh by surprise but he smiled at the horse. Watching this interaction for a moment, Yugi considered his friend. He still did not fully understand what was going on but the Pharaoh seemed happy. That didn't distract from the fact that something was wrong here, even the stables were too empty. Given the size the stable should have been able to house a number of horses yet only two occupied it. He stole a glance at the Pharaoh, he wasn't looking at him, his attention was still on the horse in front of him. There had to be a way to break through this façade that the Pharaoh seemed to be giving off. Yugi had the distinct impression Atem had all the answers he was looking for but at the moment was not willing to give them away. Perhaps if he pushed him just far enough then the Pharaoh would relent.

"Are there more horses? Yugi asked, mocking a glance around, "Seems as though you could have a fair number in here."

"I suppose, but these two are my favourite."

Yugi just managed to supress a sigh. Nice deflect there Atem, he thought shaking his head. As he cast his thoughts around for a new angle to come at. The Pharaoh seemed to work out just what Yugi was up to and came up with a plan of his own.

"If I recall correctly you've not ridden a horse?" He asked, a certain look in his eye.

"No, I have not." Yugi shook his head, "I'm not sure I'd trust myself on a horse and the poor thing would probably send me flying."

"Well then," Atem picked up a nearby piece of rope tying it to Abda's bridle and holding the other end out to Yugi, "There's no time like the present. Come, I'll teach you."

Yugi held up his hands, shaking them slightly, "Oh no, no thanks Pharaoh but I am almost certain this is a bad idea."

Atem tilted his head slightly, "I doubt that, I'm sure once you're grasped the basics you'll be a natural."

The Pharaoh moved towards Yugi, Abda walked obediently behind him. Placing the rope into Yugi's hand, who had no other choice but to grip the rope, he motioned for Yugi to lead the horse out into the courtyard.

Yugi gulped. He stared at the horse standing patiently next to him before looking back over to the Pharaoh, who was tying another rope to Makin's bridle. Turning the Pharaoh saw Yugi hadn't moved, he merely laughed and once again motioned for Yugi to exit the stable. Looking once more at the horse he gripped the rope tightly and began to walk slowly towards the stable entrance. He was rather surprised when Abda followed him quite compliantly. Feeling more confident he walked slightly faster and out into the sunlit courtyard. Leading the horse around the courtyard he couldn't stop a smile from working its way on his face, there was something calming about leading the horse around. Looking back over his shoulder he saw Atem standing nearby running his hand down Makin's muzzle whilst watching him. Returning the smile Atem gave him he gently led Adba back towards where the Pharaoh was waiting.

"Having fun?" Atem asked as Yugi drew close.

Yugi nodded, watching as Atem moved forwards to take the rope from Yugi and hand the rope attached to Makin to him. Makin didn't seem as comfortable with Yugi, he could feel the rope move as Makin tossed his head. He glanced at the horse then at Atem, who'd noticed the change in behaviour and spoke softly to Makin, watching the reaction closely. Just what he said Yugi wasn't sure but whatever he did say seemed to do the trick, Makin seemed to calm. Another soft smile crossed the Pharaoh's face as he turned leading Abda over to a large stone. He looked towards Yugi, motioning to him to come over. Moving carefully he and Makin moved towards Atem, who took Makin's rope from Yugi and directed him to stand on the stone. Frowning, Yugi did as instructed and stood on the stone. In front of him was Abda's flank, to his right was Atem who was watching him, a small smile on his face. Yugi looked at both the waiting horse and the Pharaoh before realisation hit him.

"You want me to climb on him?" He pointed at Abda's back.

"Well if you want to ride a horse it helps to actually sit on one."

Yugi stared at the Pharaoh before looking at Abda's back where a blue blanket had been placed. He stared at the blanket then at the Pharaoh then back to the blanket. He pointed at it.

"Where's the rest of it?"

Atem's expression became one of confusion, "The rest of what?"

"The saddle?"

Atem laughed, "I'm afraid this isn't modern times Yugi, that's all you get."

Yugi stared at him, his eyes wide, "A blanket?"

A nod, "A blanket."

"A blue blanket?"

"I have a red one if that suits his majesty better."

Yugi scowled at the sarcasm, shaking his head and turning his attention back to the waiting horse. Looking the horse up and down before taking a breath. Placing his hands on the horse's back he somewhat ungracefully placed his leg over the horse. In the end he wasn't quite sure how he managed to pull himself on the horse, but manage he did. But when he straightened himself, feeling rather smug he realised his mistake. One he would not live down, one Atem had definitely noticed given his chuckling.

"Don't you say anything." Yugi said, scrabbling to rectify his mistake, "Don't you dare."

The Pharaoh laughed, watching as Yugi tried to turn round without falling off. He'd mounted the horse the wrong way round. Had the Pharaoh noticed this? Of course he had. The thought to correct Yugi had entered his mind, but the sheer amusement stopped him. Yugi settled himself on the horse, the right way round this time, and grinned at Atem who chuckled and shook his head. Yugi grabbed the reins which lay neatly across the back of Abda's neck and waited as Atem effortlessly mounted Makin.

They did not know how much time passed, but time does fly when having fun. Yugi wasn't the best horse rider Atem had seen but he wasn't the worst either. It had also helped that the horse Yugi was riding was quite calm, he did not seem to be bothered by having an inexperienced rider on his back. They rode round the courtyard in circles many times before Atem pulled Makin's reins gently to ask him to stop. Makin halted and Atem watched as Yugi continued his loops of the courtyard, patting Makin's neck. A small crossed his face at the pure glee on his younger friend's face as his confidence grew. Yugi, still doing loops of the courtyard, glanced over to the nearby gates then over to where the Pharaoh was watching him.

"Hey," He called, "Now I've got the hang of this why don't we head out? We could ride into the desert or the river?"

Atem's expression changed, becoming unreadable. Yugi wanted to get Abda to stop but wasn't quite sure how to do that so instead he continued to do loops, although rather then looping around the courtyard he looped round the Pharaoh.

"What do you think?" He prodded, watching his friend's expression.

"Let's not push things too far just yet." Atem replied eventually, a smile on his face.

"Come on Atem, I'm up here now. If I get down then I may never get back up."

Atem smiled, shaking his head, "It's not a good idea Yugi."

"But why not? The gates are right there, we could go through there, go for a short ride and come back."

Atem shook his head; he wouldn't meet Yugi's eyes. Makin, picking up on the change in the Pharaoh's temperament became restless. He began tossing his head and fidgeting. Yugi continued to implore Atem. The Pharaoh closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head once again before quickly dismounting.

"It's not a good idea Yugi, the horses are tired, we mustn't push them."

He took hold of the rope and began leading Makin back towards the stable. Yugi frowned, watching him. Adba had halted, he'd also sensed raising tension.

"Atem, what's going on?"

Atem paused, his back to Yugi. Silence fell between them. An odd, tense silence. The only movement where the two horses, they continued to fidget. Yugi, somewhat ungracefully, slid from the horse's back. He stumbled slightly as his feet hit ground but somehow managed to stay upright. Abda moved, he walked over to where the Pharaoh stood still. Yugi watched as the horse nudged Atem's shoulder which seemed to snap him out of his trance. A hand went to Abda's neck and finally he looked at Yugi.

"I can't leave."

Yugi frowned, "What do you mean?"

A sigh, "I cannot leave the palace grounds."

Yugi made to ask another question but Atem had moved, he led the two horses back into the stable where he disappeared from sight. Watching him go Yugi stared at the place he'd vanished before looking over to the gates. Moving towards the stables he was determined to find out just what was going on. But just as he reached the entrance of the stables the Pharaoh emerged.

"Atem, what's going on?"

Atem shook his head, casting a glance at the gates before walking away. Yugi hurried along behind him.

"Why can't you leave the palace grounds? I don't understand."

The Pharaoh's posture changed, the wall was going up. Running around his friend Yugi stopped in front of him which forced the latter to stop.

"Atem, I don't understand. Why can't you leave here? Why are you here at all? None of this is real."

The Pharaoh wouldn't meet his eye.

"None of this makes any sense," Yugi implored, "I wake in a desert and was guided to the city which is so full of life and people. Why?"

Atem still refused to meet his eye, his expression was carefully neutral. He was getting there, he could sense it. He kept going.

"Then when I arrive here it was like the guards were waiting for me. They let me in with no fuss, but its empty here not like the city. Apart from the guards the only other people I found were Mahad and Mana. They told me they tried helping you but now only I can? What do they mean? Why is it so empty here compared to out there?"

The Pharaoh finally met his gaze, but remained silent. Yugi tried one last time.

"What's going on here? This isn't reality, this isn't happening to us. You must know what's happening to you, you must know –"

"I know what's happened to me Yugi." Atem interrupted, his tone serious, "You don't need to tell me, I know exactly what's happened and I know why I'm here."

To my guest reviewer, thank you so much for your kind words in your review. I'm touched by your words and I am soo pleased that you have been enjoying this! I'm not quite sure I can truly put into words how reading your review made me feel. It lifted me when I was actually having a bit of a down day. I do hope you continue to enjoy the story!

May I also take this time to thank everyone who has left me reviews, reading your words really does bring a smile to my face. And even those who've not left a review but has stayed with me throughout this story, thank you for sticking with me. We still have a few chapters to go and I really hope every single one of you continue to enjoy this.