Adult-FanFiction.org : Yu-Gi-OH

Darkness Before Dawn	By : SangoHuntress1977 Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 3356 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: YuGiOh and the characters thereof are the sole domain of Kazuki Takahashi and all rightsholders. I'm only borrowing them for entertainment purposes and am deriving no profit.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
The sound of rustling fabric and a sharp intake of breath caused Yugi’s eyes to snap open and immediately lock with the stormy crimson of Atem’s eyes as they stared back at him. Yugi took a breath to speak...

Atem’s face crumpled up as the onslaught of memories and emotions washed over him.

“Yuuuuuugiiiiii…” was all he could manage as he broke down completely, covering his face with his arms. “Nnnnhhhgg!!!”

“Atem. It’s alright now. It’s all over,” Yugi murmured as he cautiously reached across the mattress to touch Atem’s arms.

At the slight contact, Atem immediately pulled away and jumped up, staring down at Yugi through watery, bloodshot eyes.

“No! This is not alright!” he barked. “How could I have said… th-those awful things to you?! Gods, I was so fucking stupid! He could have killed you!”

“But he didn’t, because you were there to protect me,” Yugi pointed out.

“That d-doesn’t excuse my behavior, Yugi. You shouldn’t… f-forgive me so easily,” Atem ranted as he absently wiped at his tears. “What the hell was wrong… with me?!”

“You were scared and hurting, Atem. It’s like we learned about in psych; you were defending yourself the only way you knew how,” returned Yugi. “And I was wrong too: I shouldnt’ve kept those things from you. You had the right to…”

“No! Look at yourself! You were never supposed to bear my scars! This happened because of me, because you took pity on me and let me into your life!” Atem screamed, having to stop to catch his breath. “I h-had no right to get you and Jou involved. I never should have moved in with you...”
Atem's words trailed off as he broke down completely, choking on his sobs.

Yugi felt an icy needle of pain lance his heart at these words, but kept his features calm.

“I knew the risks, Atem. I knew there was a chance Akhnadin might come after us. I was willing to take that chance if it meant I could be with you,” he argued.

“That was a mistake! You deserve so much better than the likes of me! I’m sorry, Yugi. I can’t be a good boyfriend to you; I’m just too damaged!” Atem’s words dissolved into stormy sobs as he leaned back against the wall and slumped down until he was sitting on the floor, arms around his folded up legs, face buried in his knees as his form racked with sobs.

Yugi felt cold dread filling his heart and stomach at these words. Atem was ready to give up? On them, on their relationship? No! He couldn’t, wouldn’t let it end this way! Yugi crawled to the other side of the bed and stared at Atem’s slumped over form.

“Atem, please don’t give up, on me, on us! Our relationship is so not a mistake. After everything we’ve been through together, I think it’s worth fighting for. And so what if you’re damaged? I don’t care if takes you a thousand years to smile again. I still wanna be with you!” he declared passionately, hoping to pierce the fog of despair that surrounded Atem’s mind.

Much to Yugi’s relief, Atem had raised his head slowly, revealing tear dampened cheeks and trembling jaw, and locked his gaze on him while he had spoken.

“Do you r-really mean that?” he asked, breath hitching.

“I swear!” asseverated Yugi as he held out his hand. “I love you so much, Até!”

“Oh, my Yugi…” Atem whispered, latching onto Yugi’s hand and touching his brow to it as a new wave of tears engulfed him. “You’ve been so g-good to me, moreso than I deserve.”

“Atem…” Yugi began.

Atem cut Yugi off by abruptly pulling away and standing up.

“After what you’ve b-been through for my sake, I owe you a full explanation… of my situation. You only know the basics,” he said brokenly.

Yugi’s eyes widened. Atem was going to talk about his past?

“I can see that your eyes are full of questions, but please, save them for after I finish. Once I start this story, I n-need to be able to tell it without stopping, or… I’ll never be able to start again,” Atem pleaded, fixing tired, somber eyes on Yugi.

“I won’t say a thing,” promised Yugi.

“Very well,” said Atem, taking a deep, shuddering breath as he sat down on the edge of the mattress.

{
July 26, 1985
Luxor, Egypt

“Waaaaaaaaah!!!” a loud, high pitched cry filled the room, causing a middle aged man with a full brown beard and mustache to raise warm brown eyes in anticipation.

Moments later, a nurse stuck her head out the door.

“Congratulations, Mr. Ishtar, you have a healthy son. You can see him as soon as he’s been cleaned up,” she said.

“Thank you,” said Akhnumkanun Ishtar. “A son! I have a son!”

“Calm down, Akhnumkanun, or you’ll be in your grave before you’ve set eyes on the child,” growled the voice of Akhnumkanun’s younger twin brother, Akhnadin.

Though identical twins, Akhnumkanun and Akhnadin bore only a superficial resemblance to each other, due to the warmth and kindness that radiated from Akhnumkanun and the coldness and bitterness that rolled off of Akhnadin.

Due to the joyous event, Akhnumkanun couldn’t find it in his heart to be put off by his brother’s twisted teasing.

“Now, now, Akhnadin. Allow me this joy. You’ve experienced it twice. This is my first,” pointed out Akhnumkanun.

“Of course. Forgive me, brother,” returned Akhandin with something between a smile and a sneer.

Presently, the nurse returned.

“Come meet your son, Mr. Ishtar,” she said.

Akhnumkanun went back to the hospital room, where his wife Atet, sat up in bed, holding a small white bundle close to her chest.

“Akhnum, look at him. He’s so perfect,” she said, pulling back the hood to reveal a small head, covered in what appeared to be tufts of black hair with a slight red fringe and golden hairs framing the chubby face.

“He’s beautiful. Thank you for gifting me with this wonderful child,” said Akhnumkanun, as he gently traced his knuckle against a chubby cheek.

At being touched, the baby wrinkled his face as though he might cry, but then opened his eyes to reveal a pair of startling crimson irises.

“By Ra! His eyes are the color of blood!” exclaimed Akhnumkanun.

“I think they’re lovely,” retorted Atet, cuddling the babe to her chest defensively.

“They are, indeed,” soothed Akhnumkanun. “But, I wonder what the gods have planned for him. For surely, a child with such eyes will have no ordinary future.”

“We must protect him at all costs until he’s old enough to deal with the world strongly, on his own terms,” replied Atet.

“We will, love,” declared Akhnumkanun. “I beseech the gods here and now to protect our son… our Atem!”
“Hmph! Interesting eye color,” Akhnadin sneered when Akhnumkanun held out Atem for his inspection.
“Waaaaaah!!!” Atem cried, tiny body going rigid at his uncle’s coldness.

“His eyes portend a great future, Akhnadin,” replied Akhnumkanun as he held Atem close to his chest.

“As you say, Brother,” said Akhnadin with a shrug.
1989

Atem hadn’t counted on his bouncy blue ball going astray when he gave it a good, hard bounce. That naughty ball bounced away from him and -horror of horrors- into the house! The little boy promptly turned and gave chase, moving as fast as his chubby little legs would allow him to. Such was his concentration on the ball that he failed to see the figure standing before him until he bumped bodily into a pair of bony legs and fell back, landing on his rump.

Large crimson eyes looked up into the dour visage of Uncle Akhnadin, who glared stonily down at him from his one good eye.

“You know there’s no ball playing in the house, boy!” the old man growled.

“Sowwy, Unca…” Atem lisped.

“Well, don’t just sit there! Go retrieve your ball and get back outside!” snapped Akhnadin.

“Yes, Unca…” said the little boy, jumping to his feet to retrieve the bouncy blue ball from the corner it had landed in, feeling the old man’s glare on his back the whole time.
1991

“Give it back, Seth! No fair!” cried Atem as his older and much taller cousin held his favorite stuffed red dragon out of his reach.

“If you want it back, come and take it!” taunted the ten year old, icy blue eyes glittering with sadistic glee.

“It’s… MINE!” screamed Atem, crimson irises blazing as he lunged at Seth’s legs and knocked him off balance, causing the dragon to go flying from his hands and both boys to topple to the ground.

Atem and Seth rolled over the dusty ground, kicking and scratching at each other. Although only six years old, Atem was able to land a few good scratches on Seth, who landed many small ones on him.

“Seth and Atem Isthar! What have both our fathers said about fighting?!” came an authoritative female voice from inside.

Both boys stopped and looked at each other, crimson and blue eyes filling with dread.

“Uh-oh,” they both said, quickly letting go of each other and scrambling to their feet.

This as a young girl with long black hair and sharp, intelligent blue eyes emerged to find the two little sinners standing before her with downcast eyes, their scuffed up clothes and dirty little faces, not to mention the stuffed dragon lying carelessly on the ground, telling the whole story.

“What is it with the two of you?” the girl scolded, arms akimbo. “You can’t go five minutes without fighting, can you?”

“Sorry, Isis,” both little penitents droned in affected contrition.

Isis Ishtar folded her arms and glared at her younger brother and cousin, not buying their faux apology for even a second.

“Both of you go get cleaned up! Then get your butts back out here for your penalty chores!” she spoke in her no-nonsense 14-year-old voice.

“Aaaawww!” Atem and Seth both moaned.

“Any complaints and I double the workload,” warned Isis.

This quelled both boys and they ran inside to wash up, Atem just stooping to pick up his dragon.
Later…

“What’s this I hear about you and Seth fighting yet again?” Akhnumkanun’s disapproving voice rumbled, causing young Atem to flinch.

“He started it!” the boy protested. “He took my dragon!”

“Well, you could have gone to Isis for help, couldn’t you?” admonished Akhnumkanun.

“No! Isis is unfair, Papa. Seth was mean to me, but she punished me along with him!” complained Atem, ruby eyes glittering with resentment toward his cousins.

“And she was right in doing so,” returned Akhnumkanun.

“Huh? Why?” cried Atem, who had been certain that Papa would take his side.

“In the ancient texts, it is written that revenge is not to be taken by the hands of men, who know and see only what is right before their eyes. Justice lies with the gods, my son. They, who can see into the past and future, understand more than we of this mortal plain can or ever will,” explained Akhnumkanun gravely.

“Justice lies with the gods…” repeated Atem softly, eyes round with wonder and curiosity at his father’s deep words.

“Always remember that,” entreated Akhnumkanun solemnly as he laid his hands heavily upon Atem’s shoulders.

“Yes, Papa,” whispered Atem.
1993

Atem watched closely as Atet chopped the vegetables into fine, perfect slices before pouring them into the pot. To his surprise, she proffered him the knife after she had retrieved the next bunch to chop.

Atem took the knife and, mindful of his mother's earlier demonstration, began cutting downward. His first two vegetables bore the jagged edges of a novice's cut. However, Atem was determined to cut just as well as Mama did. Such was his concentration on this that he didn't pay proper mind to where fingers and knife were in relation to each other.

Slice!

"Ouch!" yelped Atem, dropping the knife to the counter to caress the bleeding cut on his left middle finger.

"Let me see," instructed Atet, taking Atem's little hand in hers. "This doesn't look too bad."

Atet retrieved the first aid kit and proceeded to wash out the small cut, while a wincing Atem bit down on his tongue to keep from crying out.

After Atet had applied the bandage, Atem smiled gratefully up at her.

"Thanks, Mama!" he exclaimed.

"You're welcome, little one," Atet smiled down at Atem. "Now, let's get back to the soup so we can finish in time for Papa and Uncle's return."

Atem turned a wary glance toward the knife and made no move to retrieve it, finger throbbing under the bandage.

"I know," came Atet's voice, causing Atem to look up. "You're afraid of being hurt again if you pick up the knife, right?"

Atem nodded with a frown.

"I won't force you to, but it would really help out if you could find it in your heart to face your fear and try again," encouraged Atet.

Atem looked from Mama to the knife, then screwed up his little face before returning to the counter and picking it up. With cautious movements, he began slicing the vegetables once again, feeling his Mama's warm smile on his back as he did so.
1995

“My Black Magician uses Dragon Charmer to take control of your Blue Eyes,” declared Atem as he set down his cards.

“What? Impossible!” cried Seth in disbelief.

With no monsters on the field, his life points were wide open.

“Blue Eyes White Dragon, Burst Stream!” Atem commanded.

Seth could only stare in shock and horror as his life points dropped to zero, the first time anyone had beaten him at Duel Monsters since it had come out six months ago. Blue eyes narrowed in anger at the crimson eyes that gazed coolly back at him from across the table.

“Good game, Seth,” smirked Atem as he gathered his cards.

“I demand a rematch, now!” barked Seth, slamming his balled up hands on the armrests of his chair.

“Sorry, but I have to go home and pack. We’re going to France,” apologized Atem as he stood.

“Again? But you just got back from Germany!” protested Seth.

“What can I say? Mama and Papa are natural born globetrotters. Besides, I like seeing new places with them. See you when we get back,” smiled Atem before scampering off.
Paris, France

“I aime vraiment parler de nombreuses langues,” Atem spoke, pronouncing each word slowly and carefully for his father’s discerning ears.

“Tres bien, Atem! Tu parles très bien,” praised Akhnumkanun, eyes twinkling and lips curved up in a smile for his son.

“Merci, Papa,” Atem returned warmly.
July 26, 1998

Eyes bright with anticipation, Atem tore at the wrapping paper, which fell away to reveal a black felt box, which he eagerly pried open to reveal a small gold pendant with Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs spelling out his name on it.

“Papa! My own cartouche! Merci beaucoup!” he cried, throwing his arms around his father’s neck.

“De rien, my son. Whenever you look at it, remember that all my love for you is engraved in it,” said Akhnumkanun as he returned Atem’s embrace.

“I will, Papa!” exclaimed Atem as he wasted no time in donning the pendant.
July 12, 1999

Atem sat rigidly next to Isis as they waited for any news of his parents. It had all happened so quickly. One day, they were planning yet another European excursion. The next, struck down in a car wreck.

With them sat Akhnadin, arms crossed, face inscrutable due to his one good eye being closed.

“Relax, Atem. It’ll be alright. We have the best medicine at our disposal. I’m sure Aunt and Uncle will be well again shortly,” Isis cooed to try to relieve the boy’s jitters.

Atem didn’t respond verbally, but did snuggle against Isis, seeking comfort as he fingered the cool, engraved surface of his cartouche.

“Don’t feed the boy false hope, Isis!” commanded Akhnadin waspishly.

“Father, please! There’s a good chance that they’ll recover!” protested Isis, while trying to keep her tone respectful.

“I’ve seen car accidents like this before and they all end the same way,” commented Akhnadin, shifting his gaze to Atem. “You best harden your heart, boy. The world won’t care for your tears!”

At his uncle’s harsh words, Atem shriveled up in Isis’ arms, burying his face in her shirt whilst clutching his cartouche like a lifeline.

Isis opened her mouth to protest again, but was stopped by the sound of the door swinging open.

“Mr. Ishtar,” the voice called.

Uncle Akhnadin rose and went to talk with the doctor. From the safety of his cousin’s arms, Atem watched his uncle’s body language as he conferred with the medical staff. When he saw Akhnadin’s shoulders sag, he began to squirm uncomfortably again.

Both cousins watched as Akhnadin approached them. He opened his mouth and announced without preamble:

“Your parents are dead. From now on, I am your guardian.”

Atem blinked, moisture filling his large crimson eyes as his jaw trembled. He turned and buried his face in Isis’ shirt.

“Uuuuuaaaaaahhhhh!!! Mama! Papaaaa!” he sobbed as Isis rocked him whilst sending a dirty glare in her father’s direction.

“It’s best to break this type of news quickly, Isis,” was Akhnadin’s only explanation for his bluntness toward his nephew.
July 30, 1999

“Uncle, I don’t want to leave!” Atem protested. “Egypt is our home!”

Slap!

Atem caressed his stinging cheek in the palm of his hand as he stared disbelievingly up at the angry, twisted face of Uncle Akhnadin. No one had ever struck him before and he found the experience shocking and highly unpleasant.

“Let’s get one thing straight, boy: I am not your father and will tolerate no disrespect from the likes of you!” Akhnadin growled down at the young teenager.

“I’m sorry,” Atem said quickly, though his heart burned with resentment at being struck.

“Now quit stalling and get packed!” Akhnadin ordered before turning and striding from the room.

Atem stood rooted to the spot, listening as Akhnadin’s footsteps faded away to silence, anger and resentment mounting all the while. As soon as they were out of earshot, he picked up the nearest thing to him, his wrapped dueling deck, and threw it across the room.
November 13, 1999
Domino City, Japan

Atem looked up from scrubbing the floor, heart thundering in mortal dread at the sound of the car’s engine outside. Uncle Akhnadin was home early and he was only half done with the floor!

‘No no no no!’ he thought as he started scrubbing faster, even as he heard the sound of keys in the door.

“Well, look at this,” Akhnadin’s voice growled as the old man stepped up from the genkan. “You had all day to do one simple chore while I was out and here I find you only half done. Let me guess, you were playing with those Duel Monsters cards of yours. Perhaps I should burn them!”

“No! W-we were out of bleach. I had to go to the store to get more and then the line was so long…” Atem tried to explain.

SMACK!

Akhnadin struck Atem with enough force to knock the boy to the side, Atem having to raise his arm to keep his head from striking the wall.

Atem caressed his cheek, tears welling in his eyes as he stared up into his uncle’s wrathful face.

“I don’t want to hear your excuses, you filthy little demon! Get to your room, now!” barked Akhnadin, eye snapping and crackling dangerously.

Atem turned on his heel and fled upstairs. Once in his room, he retreated to his bed and pulled the cover over his head. How he wished he could lock his door! In a silence that could be felt, Atem hunkered under his blanket, heart racing and body quaking as he awaited Akhandin’s approach.

For being sent to his room was only the beginning. The strop. That horrible strop! Already, his back bore smarting testimony to Akhnadin’s prowess at wielding that thing effectively.

Soon, he heard the creak of the stairs as the old man ascended them. Sweat broke out on his skin and he did his best to be small and quiet and suppress his whimpers in the vain hope that Akhnadin would just walk by. His hopes were dashed as the door opened, revealing Akhnadin with the strop in his hands.

“Get off that bed this instant!” Akhnadin growled, sounding more animal than human.

As if on reflex, Atem kicked the blanket off and stood before his uncle. At a glare from Akhnadin’s eye, a now visibly trembling Atem pulled his shirt over his head, revealing the nearly healed welts from the last bout of his uncle’s wrath.

Tears falling from his eyes, Atem turned around, kneeling at the side of the bed and gripping the mattress. A sob was torn from his mouth when he heard the implement of torture sing.

CRACK!

“Aaaaaaghhh!!” Atem cried.

“I knew it. I knew you would only bring misfortune to our clan with those demonic eyes. You were a curse on us from the day of your birth!” growled Akhnadin as he pulled back the strop.

“I’m s-sorry, Uncle. I didn’t mean to…” Atem stammered as he tried to swallow the sob before it erupted from his throat.

“Silence, demon!” snarled Akhnadin as he cracked the strop against Atem’s back again.

CRACK!

“Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! Please stop! It hurts!” Atem cried, tears pouring from his eyes.

CRACK!

Relief was a long time coming.
April 10, 2000

“No! Uncle, please! I don’t want this!” Atem cried as Akhnadin easily pinned him down with his knee across the boy’s chest while fumbling with the button of his pants. “I’ll be good, I swear!”

The old man ignored the teen’s cries and struggles as he pulled the zipper down and removed any remaining fabric to reveal the hidden parts he was after. His crooked, nasty fingers grasped the tender flesh and gave a tug.

“Nnnnngh! No!” Atem cried as he writhed and struggled under the old man’s assault.

“The strop wasn’t enough. I must do whatever I can to drive the evil from you, Atem,” declared Akhnadin as the forefinger of his free hand worked its way inside Atem’s virgin canal. “That is my duty as your guardian.”

As the assault continued unabated, Atem’s world exploded.

‘Papa, help me! Papa!’
2001
THUMP-BUMP! THUMP-BUMP! THUMP-BUMP!
Calloused fingers cruelly pinched and rolled sensitive nipples, adding to horrific pain of each forceful thrust from behind, seeming to split his very being in half.
After a seeming eternity, Atem felt the squirt of liquid deep in his core and heard Akhnadin give a satisfied grunt. Moments later, the fingers left his throbbing nipples and the now flaccid intruder was yanked from his abused backside.
"Nnngh..."
Atem pinched his lips together, hoping that small lapse wouldn't cause him more pain. Quite the next moment, he felt relief wash over him as the tight leather strap binding his left wrist to the bed was loosened and then fell away.
"You're filthy! Go clean yourself up," Akhnadin’s voice growled before the sound of footfalls over the wooden planks of the floor and click of the bedroom door shutting told Atem that he was alone.
Only now did Atem open his eyes and begin the laborious task of untying his right wrist, then twisting his body around enough to be able to untie his ankles. With slow, stiff movements, Atem slid off the bed, retrieved his clothes and headed for the door.
Atem cautiously pushed his door open and peeked into the hallway. Thankfully, there was no sign of Akhnadin. Moving on silent feet, Atem made his way slowly to the bathroom and shut the door behind himself.
After starting the shower on the hottest setting he could stand, Atem positioned himself under the water, savoring the hot liquid washing through his hair and beating against his sweat slicked skin.
"Ha-aah!"
He couldn't help the small yelp as the water ran over his stinging backside, washing the evidence of the abuse away from his thighs and down the drain.
As Atem watched the mixture of blood and semen drain away, something inside him broke. He didn't even try to stop the tears that suddenly sprung into his eyes from falling. Chest hitching as his breath came in short, spasmodic sobs, Atem pressed his forehead to the wall and allowed himself to go to pieces as everything he had repressed during Akhnadin’s assault on him came bubbling to the top.
Atem's tears ran in torrents down his cheeks, dripping from his chin, then mixing with the water from the shower head as they swirled and were sucked down the drain, along with all of his hopes and dreams.
2003
Renka High School

“We got us a live one this time,” said the tall bully.

“And such a looker,” agreed the powerfully built one, laying a meaty hand on Atem’s shoulder.

That touch was all it took. A curtain of red descending over his vision, Atem exploded.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!!!!!!!”

When he opened his eyes again, the bullies were lying on the ground, out cold.

Heart beating numbly in his chest, Atem turned and stalked away, never even noticing the white haired, doe-eyed teen who gazed fearfully at him from around the corner.
}

As Atem’s final words trailed off, Yugi realized his cheeks were damp with tears. Swallowing against the urge to vomit, Yugi stared at Atem in wide-eyed sorrow and dismay. Atem had endured such hardship, first losing his parents, then being taken away from his homeland and abused in the most heinous possible of ways by the relative who had been trusted by his dead brother to love and care for his only child.

‘Oh, Atem, Akhnadin was the demon all along!’

Yugi felt so powerless to soothe Atem from such overwhelming pain. He longed to hold Atem close and whisper sweet words of endearment into his ears and offer some solace to the broken man. Alas, Atem’s rigid body posture warned all physical contact away for the time being. Hopefully, after he was a bit calmer, he would be open to some affection and comfort.

“I’m so tired,” Atem said at last, voice barely a whisper.

Yugi couldn’t help but agree with that statement. After everything that had happened over the past week, both of them were unstrung and worn to a frazzle.

“You know what I think we could both use?” he ventured in soft, low tones.

With a sniffle, Atem looked over his shoulder and stared at Yugi, sorrow and desolation swirling in those stormy eyes of his.

“Wh-what?”

“A vacation! Mai-sensei happened to mention that her family owns a beach house. The nearest neighbors are two miles away,” Yugi explained. “She said we could stay as long as we wanted.”

“A beach house…” Atem whispered around a hitched breath.

“It’s up to you,” Yugi said. “What do you think?”

“What of… him?” Atem asked warily.

“Dead. Mai-sensei took him to her clinic,” Yugi answered, leaning forward a bit. “It’s over, Atem. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

Atem scrunched his eyes shut and lowered his face into his hands. All the old wounds that had been healing so well had been ripped open again after the events of last night. He felt drained of everything and stretched far too thin, as though he would snap if anything else happened. He remained thus for a seeming eternity, silently sobbing into his arm as Yugi’s words sank into his head. Was it truly over? Could he finally feel safe and free, as Yugi and Jou did? Taking a deep shuddering breath, Atem raised his face to focus on Yugi and gave a brief nod.

Yugi smiled at his Egyptian, glad to see that Atem was willing to try this.
The drive to the clinic was a silent one, with Jou, Mai and Shizuka all lost in their thoughts. Mai had never knowingly refused to try to resuscitate a patient before. However, it had been apparent to her trained eyes that Akhnadin was nothing more than a charred corpse.

“Wutcha gonna do wit’ da stiff?” Jou piped up all of a sudden.

“Put him in the freezer in my morgue until I can autopsy him, obviously,” answered Mai acerbically.

“Ya got a morgue?!” yelped Jou, staring incredulously at Mai.

“Of course. Every clinic has one somewhere,” answered Mai nonchalantly as Jou stared in abject horror at her.

At the sight of her brother’s face, Shizuka couldn’t help bursting into giggles, as much to deal with the tension as because anything was funny.

“All the times you’ve been over and you’ve never seen our lovely morgue, Katsuya?” she asked.

“No! And now dat I know dere’s one dere, I dun wanna go nowhere near it!” yelped Jou in response.

“Well, after we put the stiff in the freezer, you won’t have to, at least not until your time comes,” winked Mai.

This sent the doctor and resident into a peel of guffaws whilst Jou stared incredulously at them.

“How’d you git t’ be a doctah?” he glowered, folding his arms and staring at the dark road before them.
The house…

After Atem had fallen asleep, Yugi slipped into his room and grabbed his phone. After two rings, the phone picked up.

“Hello, Yugi!” came Grandpa’s voice from the other end. “How are you?”

"Hi, Grandpa. I just called to tell you I won't be able to come by the game shop for the next few weeks. Some things happened. I can't go into detail, but..." Yugi trailed off.

"Has it to do with your fight with Atem?" asked Grandpa.

‘How does he always do that?’ Yugi thought in amazement.

"Yeah," he answered hesitantly.

"I see. Do what your heart tells you is right, Yugi. It's not like the game shop or I will disappear if you're gone for a bit," advised Sugoroku.

"Thanks, Grandpa. I'm so glad you understand me. I promise I'll call a lot and tell you how we're doing," smiled Yugi.

"I'll look forward to it. Take care of each other, alright? I'd like to duel Atem again when you get back," said Sugoroku.

"I’m sure he’ll like that too," agreed Yugi.

"Alright, Yugi. I'm sure you have a lot of packing to do, so I'll let you go. Take care," said Sugoroku.

"You too, Grandpa. Love you. Bye," said Yugi.

After hanging up with Grandpa, Yugi began packing his things, thrusting random clothes into the suitcase, and of course, the golden box. They would likely be there a while and that would give Yugi plenty of time to work on the puzzle.

After packing, Yugi stole back into Atem’s room, relieved to find the Egyptian still sound asleep. Part of Yugi wanted to stretch out on the mattress beside Atem, but wasn’t certain what Atem’s reaction upon awakening would be. Yugi compromised by sitting as he had before, with his head pillowed on his crossed arms over the mattress. It was surprisingly easy to fall asleep in this position.

/
c 1270 BC
Waset, Kemet

“Hebai…”

The half-whispered raspy voice pulled the young servant instantly to wakefulness. Opening his eyes, Hebai looked into a pair of unfocused, sleep fogged rubies and a dopey smile fixed upon him.

“Atem! How are you feeling?” Hebai asked, snatching the Pharaoh’s hand up between his and squeezing.

“Like… shit,” Atem rasped out. “I’m glad… you’re here.”

“I’ll always be here, Atem. Whether war, pestilence, flood, sandstorm or High Priest, nothing will keep me from your side!” Hebai asseverated.

“Only death… could sever us,” Atem whispered.

“No, Atem. Even when our bodies die, our souls will still be together. Even if it takes a thousand life times, I’ll find you again,” swore Hebai.

Atem smiled up at him.

“Yes…”
/

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Atem’s eyes cracked open just a bit as consciousness slowly filtered back into his mind. Fragments of last night’s wild events flashed in and out of his mind as he sat up and looked to his left. There, slumped over the side of the bed was Yugi.

‘He stayed with me last night.’

At any other time, Atem would have smiled and reached over to wake Yugi up. Right now though, his heart felt the heavy burden of what he knew he must do today and this would not permit him to be affectionate right now, as much as part of him wanted to be.

“Yugi,” he spoke.

As the slumped over body twitched, Yugi’s jaw unhinged in a large yawn and his round eyes opened slowly to focus on Atem’s face.

“Oh! Atem! Good morning!” Yugi said quickly.

“Yugi, I’ve a favor to ask of you,” Atem said shortly.

“Anything,” returned Yugi with a smile.

“Before we go to the beach house, there’s something I must see to,” said Atem. “And it would mean the world to me if you would accompany me.”

“Just name it,” replied Yugi.

Atem took a deep breath.

“I need to return to his house to retrieve my belongings and any relevant paperwork,” he said stiffly.

“OK,” said Yugi.

“Thank you,” Atem said shortly, looking rigidly forward.
“T’anks fer da ride back, Mai,” said Jou with a yawn.

“You’re welcome, Jou. Now get some rest before you take Yugi and Atem to the beach house tonight,” suggested Mai.

“Sounds good,” smiled Jou. “See ya!”

After Mai had driven off, Jou trudged back into the woods, where last night’s confrontation had taken place. With a sigh and flex of his arms, he pushed into the underbrush to begin his search.
A bit later…

Yugi exited Atem’s room and returned to his to get dressed. As he put on his clothes, Yugi thought of how sadly things had changed in just a little under a week. All the strides Atem had made had been undone by the events of last night. Even now, he remained holed up in his room, bristling with anger, worry, pain, sorrow.

‘Why did that bastard have to come back?!’ Yugi thought spitefully as he pulled a clean shirt over his head. ‘Gods, I hope Mai-sensei’s right about the beach house.’
Finished dressing, Yugi headed downstairs and ran into Jounouchi, who looked as though he had slept in the bushes, with green stains all over his white shirt and several leaves and brambles sticking out from his blond mop.

“Were you rolling around in the bushes again?” Yugi teased in a bid to lighten his mood.

“Ya know I only did it dat time t’… Nevah mind!,” was Jou’s answer as a small golden pendant slipped from his hand, dangling from its ruined chain.

“My cartouche! You found it!” cried Yugi, jumping up into Jou’s arms to hug him. “Thank you!”

“Yeah, yeah. No pro’lem,” said Jou, quickly disengaging from Yugi’s embrace and pressing the pendant into Yugi’s hand. “Da chain’s a loss dough, so you’ll hafta replace it.”

“Man, you rule! I thought I’d never see it again after Akhnadin yanked it off me,” babbled Yugi as he looked the cartouche over, thankful that it was none the worse for wear.

“OK, dude. I gotta take a showah ‘n catch some Zs,” said Jou. “No worries. I’ll wake up in a couple hours so’s we kin go t’ da beach house.”

“OK,” said Yugi, heading back upstairs to find a replacement chain for his cartouche.
Later…

While Jou waited in the car, Yugi and Atem approached the large, imposing house that had been Atem’s prison for the past six years. Atem hesitated, but when he heard Yugi’s footsteps behind him, he stepped forward once again.

Atem took a deep breath, squared his shoulders and approached the porch. Moving quickly lest he lose his resolve, Atem turned the key and stepped in. Not bothering to remove his boots, he stepped up and flicked on the light.

Behind Atem followed Yugi, watching his boyfriend sharply for any signs of faltering. If it appeared to overwhelm Atem at any point, Yugi vowed to get him out of this place on the spot.

“Yugi, please remain here while I go up to my room,” Atem said. “You’re welcome to help yourself to anything in the refrigerator.”

“You sure?” Yugi asked dubiously.

Atem nodded firmly.

“OK…” said Yugi, backing away from Atem to allow him the space he needed.

“Thank you. I’ll return shortly,” said Atem, eyes focusing on the staircase.

In his room, Atem began going through his things, finding some Ancient Egyptian artifacts that his parents had given them and sliding them into his bag. Next, he opened his closet and found the rest of his favorite clothes, all tight black leather.

‘Thank the gods nothing has happened to these,’ he thought as he liberated them from their long imprisonment.
In the kitchen, Yugi had found some rice balls and was snacking away on them, when a pile of papers shoved off to the side caught his attention. He picked them up and leafed through them, eyes scanning a bank account in the name of Atem Ishtar with Akhnadin listed as the trustee, containing ¥1,563,757,521.67*, deposited directly from the estate of one Akhnumkanun Ishtar.

‘Gods!’ Yugi thought.

He was distracted from this revelation by the sound of Atem’s boots thumping down the stairs. When Atem appeared in the doorway, Yugi stood up and laid the papers on the table.

“I found these. Your name’s on ‘em and well… they look important,” Yugi said, gesturing to the papers with trembling hands.

Yugi watched with bated breath as Atem picked up the bank statements and read them over, finally learning the true reason for Akhnadin’s cruelty toward him, but also seeing his father’s residual love for him in the form of all those deposits that were rightfully his.

“Your dad was looking out for you, even from beyond the grave,” Yugi said softly.

A moment later, Yugi heard Atem’s breath hitch as those strong shoulders started to tremble.

“Oh, Atem,” Yugi said softly.

He jumped back when Atem suddenly slammed the papers down on the table and fled the kitchen without a word. Heart slamming in his chest as he listened to the sound of boots pounding back upstairs, Yugi sat down to wait for Atem’s return.
He stood in the doorway, surveying the neat room with a few Egyptian artifacts decorating it; the room his abuser had slept in comfortably every night for six years. Lips curling back in a snarl, Atem grabbed the nearest piece of furniture, a wooden chair and flipped it over.

Grabbing the sheet of the neatly made bed, Atem ripped it off and stomped on it with his boot. Pillows went flying across the room, curios and knick knacks were swept off the desk by Atem’s arm. With a mighty yank, Atem tore the curtain down from the window and stomped on it, grinding the heels of his boots into the fabric.

Even the Egyptian artifacts were not immune to Atem’s wrath. A vase was knocked over and several ushabti were sent flying, shattering into pieces as they hit the wall opposite.
The sounds of thumping and bumping, as of things being thrown and furniture overturned caused Yugi to jump as they reverberated throughout the house. Yugi could only imagine the storm of pent up wrath that was Atem destroying one of the rooms, perhaps Akhnadin’s. Shivering, Yugi shrunk down into the chair, making himself as small and silent as possible, even though he was on a different floor.

Finally, the sounds of wrath and destruction stopped and Atem’s approaching footfalls caused Yugi to look up in dreadful anticipation of which side of Atem he would see, the man he loved so much or the dread Demon of Domino.

Not a moment later, Atem appeared in the door, breathing heavily, tricolor locks quite disheveled.

“Take me to the clinic!” the Egyptian growled, jaw trembling.

“What?! Why?!” yelped Yugi incredulously.

“Just take me!” Atem barked, body shaking with barely suppressed rage.

“OK,” Yugi replied softly, holding up his hands in a show of submission.

Without responding, Atem snatched the papers from the table and strode out the door.

With a sigh, Yugi fell in behind Atem, who was once again cloaked in that pall of cold rage, demeanor warning off all offers of affection. He resolved not to take it personally, as he remembered Jou’s words about everyone dealing with stress differently.

“We gotta go to the clinic,” he said to Jou as they got in.

Jou opened his mouth to speak, but Yugi jerked his head toward Atem, causing Jou to look in his rearview mirror at the Egyptian, who was sitting silently in the back, eyes narrowed, jaw jutting out.

“Gotcha, dude,” the blond said, turning his key to start the engine.

As they pulled out, Yugi stole surreptitious glances at Atem’s set jaw and cold, stormy eyes as he glared down at the bank statement in his hands. For the time being, Atem was once again Yami, the terrifying demon of Domino University, who had put men bigger than himself into the hospital.

Yugi flipped open his phone to send a warning text to Mai.

blackmage: on our way to your clinic. atem’s in a real bad mood 2 put it nicely.

HarpyLady202: Thanks for the info, Yugi. We’ll be ready.
When they arrived at the clinic, without preamble, Atem leapt over the side and strode into the clinic, wrenching the glass door open so harshly that its hinges groaned in protest.

Yugi hurried in after Atem and was just in time to see him slip through a door in the back while Mai and Shizuka stared helplessly after him.

“I’m sorry, Mai-sensei. I think Atem has some unfinished business with Akhnadin,” explained Yugi quickly.

“This is likely Atem’s way of finding closure. So let’s leave him to it," said Mai.

“Hey, dudes. What’s goin’ on?” came Jou’s voice as the blond just now came sauntering in.

“Let’s all wait for him in my office,” said Mai firmly, gesturing to her door.

With a shrug, Jou entered the office with Shizuka. Yugi stared at the back door Atem had exited through before sighing and entering as well, Mai closing the door behind them.

*About $15,000,000 USD
The morgue…

Atem crossed the floor and stood before the drawer, whose name plate bore the name Akhnadin Ishtar on it. With a grunt, he swung the door open and yanked out the slab on which the empty husk of Akhnadin Ishtar now reposed. He unzipped the body bag, revealing Akhnadin’s charred, twisted remains. For a seeming eternity he stared with unmitigated hatred at the burnt remains of the man who had been his tormentor and abuser for the past six years. Finally, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the paper, which he unfolded.

“Look at what I hold in my hand!” he growled. “Look, damn you!”

Empty sockets stared through the paper in Atem’s hand while he stood rigidly, panting as he tried to get his raging emotions somewhat under control.

“What did you mean to accomplish, Akhnadin? Did you honestly think that by beating and raping me repeatedly you would be able to break me and take control of my father’s fortune? Was that your design? Is that why you took me away from Egypt, from my home, my family?!” Atem shouted as tears of rage poured from his crimson eyes. “Was getting control of Papa’s money so important to you that you would purposely drive me to insanity? You were willing to have that on your conscience?!”
Mai’s office…

Speaking just above the din of shouts echoing through the walls, Yugi had just finished telling the whole story to the others, who listened in dismay and sorrow.

“Dat fuckin’ ol’ bastahd! I shoulda broken ‘is neck ‘nsteada jus’ punchin' ‘m out!” growled Jou, punching his fist into the palm of his hand.

“Then you would’ve been executed for murder,” pointed out Mai. “At least it’s over now and he can truly heal.”

“Yep. Atem 10, Ol’ Bastahd, Zero!” grinned Jou.

Yugi sat with great big tears rolling down his round cheeks as Atem’s screams of rage echoed through the walls and into his ears. Just then, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up into the unusually soft eyes of Mai.

“It’s alright, Yugi. This is Atem’s way of letting go of his pain. Once he does that, the true healing will take place,” the doctor said softly.

“Yeah. He’ll be OK, dude. You’ll see,” said Jou with a soft smile.

“Be strong for him, Yugi,” said Shizuka.

With a sniffle, Yugi raised his gaze to his friends and nodded resolutely.
Morgue…

“No. What the hell am I saying? Your actions toward me prove that you have no conscience, never had! Do you think I missed all those glares you leveled at me as I grew up? You hated me from the beginning because you knew that I was the heir to the clan fortune!!! You, sick, twisted, evil bastard!!” Atem roared, bank statements bunched in his clenched fist.

The need for oxygen forced Atem to pause his diatribe and inhale sharply a few times.

“If you had been a kind, loving uncle and had just asked for some money, I would have given it to you freely…”

Atem’s resolve failed him as his voice broke and he lowered his head as a wave of tears engulfed him. After a few seconds to choke back his sobs, Atem looked up again, eyes blazing with rage, teeth clenched.

“Know this in the afterlife, you piece of shit: I am going to take this money and use it to do good in the world, something you could never imagine! As for you, you can rot in Duat for all I care!” Atem screamed, temples pulsing in time with his rapid heart rate.

Tears of rage pouring from blazing eyes, Atem yanked the zipper back up over Akhnadin’s charred face, shoved the drawer back into the freezer, then slammed the door shut and strode from the morgue.
The sound of the door opening and boots clicking over the linoleum floor alerted the group to Atem’s exit from the morgue.

“You guys wait in here!” Yugi said, jumping to his feet and exiting the office.

Before him stood Atem, staring at him through watery, bloodshot eyes, wiping the evidence of his emotional turmoil from his face.

“You OK, buddy?” Yugi asked softly.

“Yugi…” Atem said softly, irises seeming to lose focus even as he stared at his boyfriend. “I…”

Then the eyelids fell closed and Atem was pitching forward.

“Atem!” Yugi yelped, lunging forward just in time to keep Atem from hitting the hard floor. “Atem! Wake up!”

At this, the door opened and the next thing Yugi knew, Mai-sensei was kneeling over Atem, checking his pulse, then opening his eyes and shining her light in them. When she saw that the pupils constricted in reaction to the light, she breathed a sigh of relief and sat back, fixing Yugi with a sad smile.

“He’s alright, Yugi. I think he’s just drained from everything. Jou, come pick him up! We’re all going on a road trip to my beach house now,” Mai announced.

‘Beach house, here we come!’ Yugi thought happily as he breathed a sigh of relief.
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Darkness Before Dawn