It had been a few weeks since the mating ceremony and things have been going smoothly for Yami and Atem. However, Yami hasn't been feeling well as of late. He had been waking up every morning and having to throw up. Atem had been worried and wanted Yami to visit Isis. Despite Yami telling him it was probably just a stomach bug he had caught. Atem, of course, said otherwise and it wasn't until the tenth day of Yami waking up and running to throw up in the morning that Atem quite literally dragged him down to Isis so she could run some tests on him.

It had been a few days since Isis had done tests on him. She had confronted him when he was on his way to the lounge and pulled him into a private room where she told him the results of the testing and what was wrong with him. Yami was very surprised when he heard the news and he knew that he would have tell Atem the news right away.

Yami stood on the balcony in his and Atem's room, it was midday and the sun was bright and high in the sky. Yami's hand slowly travelled down to his stomach where it rested. Arms suddenly wrapped around his waist making him jump at the sudden contact. He leaned back with a content smile as he recognized the warmth.

"You look in deep thought," Atem commented going to stand beside Yami and leaning against the balcony.

"Yeah I guess I am," Yami replied with a soft chuckle.

"Well, I don't mean to interrupt your thoughts but I have a surprise for you," Atem replied, an excited smile on his face.

Yami raised an eyebrow. "Is this another one of your surprise balls the council is making you throw?"

Atem chuckled but shook his head. "Thankfully no."

"Then what is it?"

Atem smiled. "I planned a trip for us to go the falls."

Yami's eyes widened. "Really?" Atem nodded. "But what of the council? What if they find out you've gone without their knowledge?"

Atem shook his head. "They won't, they've gone on a business voyage for the day, they'll be back tomorrow," Atem said with a smirk. "I may have sent them on a trip on purpose."

Yami smiled. "If you're sure, when do we leave?"

"Right now if you'd like."

Yami nodded with a smile. "I'd like that." Atem smiled and the two headed down to the courtyard where two horses had already been prepared. One being Yami's horse Sterling while the other was Atem's horse Hika.

Isis approached Yami and pulled him to the side while Atem was speaking to Mahad. "Have you told him yet?"

Yami shook his head. "I haven't, but I will. Our trip to the falls will make it easier to tell him."

Isis nodded and handed Yami a small vial. "This will help with your sickness. It won't completely get rid of it but it will make it easier for you to handle." Yami nodded and put the vial in his pocket and headed over to his horse.

Mai was coming along with them but she would be staying with the horses and keeping guard from a distance while Yami and Atem enjoyed the falls.

While Atem wasn't looking Yami quickly drank the vial Isis gave him. His stomach stopped churning and he quickly shoved the vial away as Atem turned back.

They soon arrived at the falls in no time. Atem helped Yami off his horse and grabbed the basket from Mai. Mai climbed off her horse and sat down on the grass while the horses ate the fresh grass, pulling out and eating her own lunch. Atem led Yami towards the falls and set the basket down. Taking off his shoes, Yami stepped into the cool water sighing in relief as the water helped with his sore feet. Atem joined him shortly after, taking his shoes off as well.

Yami jumped as arms wrapped around his waist and a head lay on his shoulder, he soon relaxed remembering it was Atem. They stood watching the falls as they fell and crashed into the pool beneath. Rainbows danced off the falls as the sun beat down from the sky.

Atem pulled away a moment later with a frown. "You smell different."

Yami was confused. "Smell?"

Atem nodded. "Vampires have this sense that allows them to smell different things on people," Yami nodded slowly. "You don't smell like you normally do. You normally smell like cinnamon and honey." Yami frowned hoping Atem wouldn't notice before it turned into a smile.

"Well, there's a reason for it," Yami said as he grabbed Atem's hand and placed it on his stomach.

Atem's eyes widened for a moment before a smile graced his face. "You're pregnant!?"

"I am," Yami said with a nod. Atem suddenly wrapped his arms around his waist and spun him around. As he was placed down Atem had a smile on his face.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to, believe me, but you were so stressed with everything, I didn't want to put another thing to stress you out on your shoulders," Yami replied gently.

Atem smiled gently and placed a hand on his cheek. "I care about you, probably more than my work, I would throw it all away for you in a heartbeat." Yami blushed. "What we've created is a symbol of our love, and it's a wonderful thing."

Yami smiled. "So, you're not angry I didn't tell you?"

Atem shook his head. "I couldneverbe mad at you."

Yami smiled and the two shared a kiss. "You know you never told me what was in the basket," Yami said with a smile which Atem returned.

"Well, it was supposed to be a present for something else."

"And what would that be?"

Atem smiled. "Well, today is the day when we first met," Atem said with a chuckle. "Granted, it was because we kidnapped you but it was still the first time we ever met."

It suddenly clicked in Yami's head and he let out a laugh. "So it is."

Atem nodded. "But I guess it can celebrate this as well," he said as turned around to grab the basket.

Picking up the small basket he placed it in Yami's arms. The two sat down and Yami went to open it up. He gasped when he saw what was inside, he pulled out a gold bracelet with a white gem in the middle of it.

"What is it?" Yami asked he studied it.

Atem grabbed it from his hands and placed it on his wrist. "Well, everyone in the court andsomein the council including myself are curious as to what your powers are."

"Powers?" Yami asked curiously.

Atem nodded. "Powers, like with mine I can create fire, I can see people's memories, and I can freeze time."

Yami nodded staring at the gem. "So why the plain white gem?"

"The gem, when you find your powers, will change colours to represent what you have," Atem pulled out his own bracelet and showed Yami his. "See how mine is grey, purple, and red?" Yami nodded.

"The grey represents the memory reading, the purple represents time freezing and the red represents fire."

Yami nodded in understanding. "When will I get my powers?"

Atem shrugged. "No one really knows when they will get theirs, I got mine when I turned five, Heba got his when he was eight."

"So it's different for everyone?"

Atem nodded. "Mahad wants to help you find yours, Mana is also looking for hers, she is Mahad's protégée after all, so you two will be training together."

Yami nodded but a thought crossed his mind. "What about the baby?"

"Luckily the tests are mostly searching your mind to find what lies deep beneath," Atem explained with a soft smile.

Yami nodded. "So, it won't harm the baby?"

Atem shook his head. "Well considering my mother found her powers pregnant with me, I'd say it won't harm our child."

Yami smiled. "I don't know Ate, you seem kind ofoff. Maybe somethingdidgo wrong when she was pregnant"

Atem smirked. "You really shouldn't have said that." Before Yami knew it he was grabbed around the waist and set on Atem's lap. He squirmed and laughed as Atem's fingers danced across his sides.

After a while of sitting by the falls and playing in the water, the two lovers decided to head home. Yami's stomach churned as he got on the horse, luckily he still had formula in the vial for the ride home.

Once back at the palace they were greeted with a pale looking Heba and Otogi.

"Heba? What's wrong?" Atem asked helping Yami off the horse.

Heba smiled nervously. "The council arrived back a day earlier."

Otogi nodded from beside Heba. "They're pretty angry that you left the palace."

Atem rolled his eyes. "Of course they are, when aren't they?"

Heba gave a small smile. "That's not the only reason they're upset."

Atem frowned. "Now what?"

"Shortly after you left, Yugi and three of his friends showed up," Otogi explained.

Yami's eyes lit up. "Yugi's here?"

Otogi nodded. "They're in the lounge." Atem could see Yami wanted to see his brother and smiled placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Why don't you go see Yugi? I'm sure he'd be happy to see you." Yami nodded and headed into the palace. "Now then let's see about the council."

Yami entered the lounge and didn't get a chance to glance up before he was engulfed in a hug.

"Yami!" the person hugging him cried out, burying their face in the jacket he was wearing.

Yami recognized that voice anywhere. "How are you, Yugi?" Yugi pulled away and glanced up his eyes lit with happiness, Yami smiled "How much sugar have you had today?"

Yugi frowned. "I haven't had any, I'm just happy to see you," Yugi said as he gave him another hug and then pulled back moving to sit on the couch.

Yami glanced up and took notice of three familiar faces. Before he knew it, he was jumped on by the three and sent crashing to the ground. "Joey? Ryou? Malik?" the three sat up and got off Yami.

"We missed you," the three said at the same time.

Yami smiled and gave a small chuckle. "You three haven't changed, except for the fact that you got taller."

Joey smiled. "All except Yug' of course."

Yugi gave a cry. "Well excuse me for having the short gene in the Motou family."

Yami smiled and the four got off the ground. "I expected Yugi to be here, but I didn't expect you three to be here."

Ryou smiled "Well, we are the leaders of the group."

Confusion lit Yami's face. "I thought Yugi was?"

Yugi nodded. "I'm just the main leader, Joey is co-leader, and Ryou and Malik share the title of first lieutenant's."

Yami nodded in understanding. "Different from when I was leader." The room went silent as Yami trailed off.

Ryou placed a hand on Yami's shoulder. "You'll always be our leader Yami." The group then gathered Yami in a hug, Yugi joining as well.

Malik smiled. "We never went one day without thinking of you."

Joey nodded with a serious look. "So, what exactly happened when you were taken?"

Yami let out a sigh. "You might want to take a seat, it's a little bit a long story."

Yami settled on the couch with a pillow behind him. Yugi settled beside him curled up against him. Joey, Ryou, and Malik sat in front of him. Joey sat beside Yami, Ryou and Malik on the bean bag chairs dragged from the wall to be in front of the couch. Yami took a breath and then started his story. The same way he told Yugi when they met the first time. Except the extra information.

After Yami finished everyone was quiet. The three had heard the story from Yugi, but there was more of an emotion given when told from Yami.

"So, Yugi wasn't kidding when he told us," Malik said with a frown.

Yami nodded. "There's more, but I can't tell you yet."

All four pouted. "Why not?"

Yami smiled. "That is something that everyone needs to hear." The four rolled their eyes and Yugi cuddled closer into Yami's side. Yami squeaked softly and jumped, Yugi pulled back with a smile. The other three had smiles on their face as well.

"I see you're still ticklish Yami," Joey said with a smile.

Yami shook his head and crossed his arms. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Yugi smiled and grabbed Yami's sides making his brother yelp and jump away from Yugi's fingers. Joey lunged and squeezed the other side of Yami's side. Ryou and Malik worked on his lower body. His knees especially. Yami squeaked and squirmed letting out laughs and giggles as Joey and Yugi attacked his sides.

Atem and the others walked in a moment later. Only to find Yami being tickle tortured by his younger brother, and his three friends.

Atem smiled. "Alright you four, I think Yami's had enough." The four released Yami who fell back against the couch with flushed cheeks. Honestly, they were still in amazement that the emperor and his guards attacked them yet.

"Didn't know you were ticklish Yami," Bakura said with a smile, one Yami recognized all too well. He sent a glare Bakura's as well as one to Marik as well who started snickering.

"Shut the hell up Bakura!" Yami cursed crossing his arms and putting a pout on his face.

Atem chuckled and sat beside Yami on the couch. "I want to show you something," Atem said quietly.

"Okay. What is it?"

Can You Hear Me?

Yami jumped in surprise at the voice in his head. He turned to Atem and noticed his eyes were clouded over and glassy.

Ate? Is that you?

Atem sent a chuckle.

Yes, love it is.

How?

Because of the mating, a link has been created between our two minds. Which allows communication non-verbally.

Yami smiled.

They were brought out of their thoughts when Heba chuckled. "I see you've shown Yami the mind link Atem."

Yugi and the other three turned to Heba confused. "Mind link?"

Heba nodded. "When two vampires are mated, there's a link created between their two minds which allows communication others can't hear," Heba explained. "Honda and Otogi have a similar mind link as well but it's not quite the same."

Meanwhile Bakura and Marik weren't listening. They were too busy staring at their look allies.

Atem noticed and chuckled. "Perhaps we should do introductions before we do anything else." Yugi nodded in agreement, he pointed to Ryou first, then Malik, then finally Joey.

"Everyone this is Ryou." Ryou gave a small wave and a timid smile. "Malik." Malik gave a wave and a kind smile. "And Joey." Joey gave a wide toothy grin which made Yugi roll his eyes.

Atem pointed out all the vampires in the room. "This is Bakura, Marik, and Otogi."

Yami smiled "And this is Honda, Otogi's human mate."

After introductions were finished dinner was served. The group headed into the dining room where the council, and the court were already seated. The council had their own table, while the court sat at the main table. Yami and Atem sat down in their usual spots as did Bakura, Marik, Otogi, and Honda. Yugi sat next to Yami waving to the ones he remembered meeting from the court.

Yami turned and noticed the other three were nervous to sit down. "You don't have to worry, the court is kind and won't hurt you," Yami said with a smile.

The council on the other hand.

Halfway through dinner, Atem stood up clinking his glass gathering everyone's attention. He sent Yami a smile and Yami groaned.

"Oh, here it comes."

Yugi turned to Yami confused. But Yami just sent him a reassuring smile. "Everyone, I have some exciting news to share." Yami flushed knowing what it was about. "Recently, it has come to my attention, that we are in need of an heir." The council smiled knowing Atem had given into their demands of a harem girl to give the heir. One of their choosing,of course.

"And I'm proud to announce that we are no longer in need of one." The council's smiles fell, this has not gone according to their plans. Atem pulled Yami out of his chair and wrapped a hand around his waist. His other reaching to rest on Yami's stomach where his child would be growing from.

"For my mate Yami, has recently discovered he is pregnant with my child."

One council member stood up. "This is absurd, your majesty you must be joking."

Atem glared. "Are you saying my mate has been with another Vincent? Or that he is lying?"

The councilmen, Vincent, shook his head. "N-no your majesty but..."

"Then sit down and shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you," Atem growled out his eyes glowing red in anger. Vincent nodded and sat down his cheeks flush pink in embarrassment at being called out.

Yami sighed as he lay on the bed. Atem was in the bath and he was bored. He was also tired. Yami closed his eyes and relaxed for a few moments. He was already dressed in his pyjamas, so he didn't have to get off the bed. He felt weight on the bed and opened his eyes only to be met with crimson eyes.

"You look tired," Atem said with a smile."

Yami nodded with a yawn and cuddled up to Atem. "I am."

Atem smiled and covered them with the blanket. "You're not going to be like those clingy pregnant ladies, are you?"

Yami let out a tired chuckle. "If I were to be, would you put up with it?"

Atem smiled and nodded. "I would."

"Good," Yami whispered softly as he closed his eyes and soon fell asleep his chest rising and falling slowly.

Atem smiled and kissed his forehead. "Goodnight love," he let his hand rest on Yami's stomach and rubbed it gently. "And goodnight to you, my baby."