Chapter Three

He was cold, despite the warm and slightly heavy weight draped over his body, trapping heat in.

Atem opened his eyes reluctantly, knowing his nightmare was still a reality. The white tile patterned ceiling was proof that he was going to be remaining in this world, and not in the one his was meant to be in...the one with his family and friends.

The resurrected king rolled from his back to his stomach, his weakened muscles aching in protest as he pushed himself up in to a seated position on the soft leather surface he rested on.

Atem felt nostalgic as he recognized the brown leather sectional he sat on, along with the tan walls, grey carpet and curtains, and the television set in front of the sofa he had slept on. He was at Yugi's home, in the living room of the house he shared with his grandfather and mother. Atem gently caressed the leather texture, as his ears picked up the sound of Yugi and his grandfather chatting softly behind him.

'How did I get here?' The pharaoh lifted his hands, gazing at them in confusion. He had fallen asleep next to Yugi while on Kabia Corporation property. Surely Yugi didn't care him all they way here, the boy was no bigger than he was. Atem examined the soft light blue button up shirt he was dressed in, the sleeves were just slightly too short for him, but provided proof that Yugi had somehow relocated him to the home that Atem once also thought of as his.

The more Atem thought back to the harsh reality he woke up to, the greater his growing exhaustion became. His opened hands trembled as he curled them into loose fists. 'No, I should not worry about the how. I... I need to focus on the why. Why would the gods allow for something like this to befall me? Something must have provoked them.'

Atem clenched his jaw, and lowered his head into his hands. He tugged at his multi-colored hair in frustration. How could he have allowed something like this to have happened to him and leave Mahaad, Mana, and the others behind so easily? When he fell ill, he should have fought harder, he should have resisted against the pull of sleep rather than willingly accepting it. ' There are so many things I should have done differently. Am I like this because I failed the gods some how? Because I admitted my longing for Yugi and the others?'

Atem relaxed his grip on his hair in, his body numb from his thoughts. Was this all his fault? Did he anger the gods because he still had attachments to this world, even though he knew he need to leave his friend and the memories of them behind?

" I'm scared, Grandpa."

Atem lifted his head and looked over his shoulder, forgetting his own turmoil because of the worry sparked by the fearful tremor in Yugi's voice.

Yugi and his grandfather, Sugoroku, had their backs to him. They were sitting next to each other under the cream colored quilt of their kotatsu, while Surgoroku had an arm draped around Yugi's shoulders in a comforting side hug, as the younger male laid his head on the table.

"He obviously is confused and doesn't want to be here, with us. What if he gets desperate and decides to end this life to return to the one I escorted him to? I...I don't think I can actually handle seeing the king's life end a second time," Yugi's voice was muffled, but the tremble in it was still strong.

"Have faith, Yugi. You understand the Pharaoh more than anyone else. You shared your body with him for so long, surely you know better than to think he would act so irrationally before giving himself a chance to calm down." Sugoroku's voice was gentle and lacked it's normal teasing tone as he consoled his grandson's worries.

"That's the thing, Grandpa. I don't know him as well as you think, not like this. We never… I never experienced this kind of pain with Atem." Yugi raised his head and looked at his grandfather for guidance, rubbing the back of his right arm under his nose. "I'm not sure how to act, or what to say to him! He's so upset, and grieving...and I feel so terrible because I'm actually happy to have him at my side again! How can I support him, when I'm happy he's here, when he's grieving over it? I can't even understand what he's going through. I feel like such a horrible friend."

Atem felt pressure build up in his chest, this was what Yugi truly felt? He clawed at the leather below him with his right hand. He should have known that Yugi was struggling just as he was, after all, he almost knew the boy better than he knew himself.

Sugoroku lowered his arm from Yugi's shoulders to rub his back soothingly, a smile spread across his face and caused crows feet to appear by the corners of his eyes from his aged skin. "On contrary, I think you're a wonderful friend, my boy! You grieved when he left, and continued to nearly everyday. You missed Atem because he was gone, but then rejoiced when you seen him again. That, in my opinion shows that you are a true friend, you've missed him. And your missing him, showed that you cared- still care for him."

Atem sighed softly and turned away from Surgoroku and Yugi, not wanting to watch the Mutou family any longer.

He had burdened Yugi with so much pain when he had left him, the boy's crying face as he delivered the final blow in their duel and falling to his knees in defeat despite being a victor, was forever burned into his memory. And now just when the boy was getting over that loss, Atem had hurt him again, made him feel horrible yet again because of his selfishness. He was being too self-centered by focusing solely on his problems, and ignoring Yugi's, Mokuba's, and potential his other friend's problems too.

Yugi was happy that he was back, but his own misery was blinding him from what his partner-former partner, was feeling. He had leaned on Yugi, depending on his support, even after learning that Yugi had wanted to see him again had been happy because of his return.

'How foolish,' Atem covered his face, ignoring the rest of the Mutou Family's conversation. He felt so guilty, how could he have left everything in such a mess. He left Yugi hurting because him, Kaiba wanting him, Mokuba resenting him. What about Jonouchi? Honda? Bakura? And Anzu? Had he hurt them as well, or cause negative effects because he wanted to be with the people who had truly known him?

The former king lifted his head and focused on the muted television turned to a news broadcast showing an aerial shot of Domino City, the tall iconic Kaiba corporation building being the dead give away for the city; desperate for a new distraction from his thoughts.

The city on the television was much bigger and more...advanced than from the view he had of it from both Kaiba's helicopter and blimp during Battle City. How long had it been since he had depart from this world through the ceremonial battle? Yugi has changed, matured so much since that day. Even Mokuba had changed, he was no longer the bratty child, but professional and mature. Everything was different now, and felt as if Atem had ended up in alien world rather than on he had once ruled. Was there something that hadn't changed since he left?

Suddenly, the scenery shifted to the front of the Kaiba Corporation main office building's front entrance, with LIVE in red at the top left of screen. Atem leaned forward, his red-violet eyes wide as the frosted glass doors slide open and out strutted Seto Kaiba wearing his typical flashy attire of black fitted pants and long sleeved under shirt, covered by his Kaiba Corporation sleeveless white trench coat. His signature look since their participation in Battle City.

The former king was a mess of emotions as he watched the CEO refuse to answer the silent questions of the news reporters that were no doubt being hurled at him. Atem had so much hate for the man's actions, furious enough that he wanted to curse the man over and over until he knew what if felt like to be ripped away from something he loved more than his own life. Despite that rage and desire to punish Kaiba for his wrongfulness, Atem was happy to see him for a completely different reason. Other than his face becoming slightly sharper from aging, Kaiba was unchanged. His style, his personality, and actions. All of Kaiba was unchanged and it gave Atem comfort. There was still someone who hadn't completely changed and left him behind.

Atem curled his hand into tight fist while trying to suppress the slight smile pulling at his lips, "Stubborn bastard."

"Phar-Atem? You're up?"

Atem turned his head just as he heard Yugi sniff and stand from his seat on the floor. He relaxed and smiled gently at Yugi as the boy made his way to his side, his mixed emotions evaporating the moment Yugi came into his line of sight.

"I am," The Egyptian responded and tugged at the sleeves of the borrowed pajamas he wore. "I see I've caused you trouble, Yugi. I'm sorry for…making you go through so much over me."

"No, you've got it wrong. You weren't any trouble at all! You were a little heavy from me to carry confidently, but Isono and even Grandpa made it easy to get you home and dressed safely." Yugi took a seat next to Atem on the couch and covered the older male's shoulders with the throw blanket.

"Is that so..." Atem kept his smile in place, and looked over his shoulder to see if Surgoroku was still in the room. To his surprise, the old man had left, making Atem wonder where he had wandered off to.

"Atem, be honest with me, are you going to be okay?"

Atem stiffened and looked at Yugi with his eyes wider. He wasn't expecting that sort of question from Yugi.

The other boy wasn't looking at him and instead, he was focused solely on the hands he had folded in his lap. Worry was clearly displayed on Yugi's face, his eyebrows were pulled together and his normal smiling face was set in a slight frown. He had only seen such and expression from Yugi a couple of times during their time together and to be on the receiving side of such a look again... was an indescribable feeling.

"I...am not sure," Atem responded hesitantly, his attention on the news that had now switched to covering the weather forecast for the night and the rest of the week. "I am trying to accept, to adjust, but it is hard, Yugi."

Atem closed his eyes for a brief moment and sighed. He held up a hand in front of his face and started at his palm with disdain. "This is unnatural, I don't belong to this world, yet I have returned to it. I cannot begin to describe how much I loath Kaiba for forcing this life upon me, but I cannot fault him alone for this, and I cannot linger on this more than I have already." Leaning back, Atem dropped his hand to rest on Yugi's thigh to comfort his friend, despite being the one Yugi was trying to help.

" I was thinking, while you and your grandfather were talking-"

"You heard us?" Yugi gasped softly.

Atem tilted his head towards Yugi and offered a smile at the boy. "I heard some of it, but I'm glad I did. It made me realize how self-centered I was being about this situation."

The former king felt his hand being squeezed tightly by Yugi's as the boy turned and faced him completely. "You are not being selfish! How can you say such a thing when you've experienced a great loss because of Seto Kaiba's selfishness!? You don't have to blame yourself, you haven't done anything wrong Mou Hitori No Boku! You have a right to be upset!"

"Having a right to be selfish does not make it right for me to be so, Yugi." Atem explained calmly as he turned his hand being held by Yugi's to returned the hold. "I can be angry and upset, I still am, and also be considerate and grateful for your own separate feelings. I don't...want to make the same mistake twice. This is no different from Duelist Kingdom when we fought Kaiba and he threatened to kill himself." Atem squeezed Yugi's hand though he turned his head to look at the tile ceiling of the living room. "Either it be my pride or my emotions, I won't let them get in the way of you or any of our friends' own feelings. No good will ever come from when Kaiba is involved."

Yugi was quiet and that caused concerned for Atem. He knew when Yugi went silent he often had something more he wanted to say, but restrained himself from doing so. Sitting up, Atem turned his body to face Yugi. The former king's smile was no more now that Yugi refused to look at him.

"Yugi, you don't need to censor yourself around me. What ever you have to say is important to me and I want to hear your feelings, even if they are different from mine."

Yugi turned his head completely away from the former spirit and removed his hand from Atem's grasp. "Y-You don't have to feel like you can't be selfish, Atem."

"Yugi," Atem started, but he cut himself off when Yugi turned his head with a hurt look on his face, violet eyes almost glaring at him.

"You have a life of your own now that doesn't require you to have to forgo anything. No kingdom to protect, no life or death duels, no searching for a lost name… I know you weren't planning for this, which make it all the more important for you to be able to express yourself without holding back. It hurts knowing you are so upset to return to my side, while I'm so delighted by it. But it hurts even more to know you think you have to suppress those feelings thinking, that your going to somehow hurt our friends and myself!"

Atem looked down at the ground,intertwining his fingers together as her tried to think of a response for Yugi's words. He had none.

And when the former king kept his silence, Yugi pressed on. "Talking about your feelings and trying to help you through them, are what friends do for each other."

"I know," Atem answered Yugi, he turned his head to look at the boy and smile at him briefly. "You, Jonouchi, Anzu, Honda, even Otogi and Bakura have taught me that when I had no idea who I even was." He returned to looking at the ground. "However, since then I've learned who I am and I have both remembered and experienced what happens when I place too burden my friends. And if I am...truly going to be starting a life with you and our friends, I don't want you to worry about me and I don't want to worry that I've put too much stress on you."

"You're not going to have to worry. You will never put too much stress on me, Atem. "

"Yugi," Atem started sternly, he sat up looking at the younger male with pleading eyes. "You mean well, but I think we need to stop this conversation, for both of or sakes."

Yugi was still before nodding once. "Yeah, I think so too."

"Wait, you don't have to go." Atem told his partner and reached out to grab his hand, but Yugi was already walking away from him.

"I'm just going out to grab us a quick super and to get some fresh air. I need to think, okay?" Yugi turned and offered Atem a smile, before heading towards the door, where his shoes and jacket had been left at the entryway. "I'll be back Grandpa! I'm going to grab us take out!"

Atem cursed under his breath and ran a hand through his hair and looked down at the puzzle resting around his neck. Maybe he should try and connect his an Yugi's soul rooms again, the puzzle was the power of 'unity' for all the sacred items. 'Could I? No, I shouldn't chance it. I could harm Yugi.' He needed to somehow work through this mess without relying on the puzzle, the very thing that cause the root of this mess, both with his personal emotional state and Yugi.

"Here, you look like you needed a drink after that conversation."

Atem blinked at the offered glass of water and then to Surgoroku's smiling bright smile. "Ah, Thank you, Grandpa- I mean Surgoroku."

"You can call me grandpa too, I don't mind. Also it's a bit weird to have a child call me by my actual name." Yugi's grandfather corrected Atem. "Especially one who clearly has a lot of growing to do."

Atem chuckled softly as he took the offered drink from the old man. "I suppose it is a bit weird, for the both of us. But you know, technically I am older than you, Grandpa."

"Oh, but that's only by spirit, Pharaoh," The old man responded as he took a seat just where Yugi had been prior to leaving. "But my body is older than the one you have and I've witnessed more than you may know. You're still just a child to me. Yet you're a child that I owe my life too!"

Atem blinked owlishly at Surgoroku. "Huh?"

"Bah, I guess you don't remember, or maybe you can't? It was before Yugi was even born, in your tomb." Surgoroku pointed his finger and poked the former king in the chest. "I was shot by my greedy guides and sipped of the narrow path leading to the puzzle. It was your spirit that pulled me up just before I fell to my death," Surgoroku recited to story dramatically, keeping the pharaoh's attention. " My late wife used to say I was just hallucinating from the heat, but it was a cool night and I saw you clear as day and it was your strength that help me up and saved me from falling into an aybss."

He saved Yugi's grandfather's life? Atem closed his eyes in thought, trying to remember his time inside the puzzle, but his mind drew a blank. From the time he approached the High Priest after sealing Zorc and cursing his own soul, to the day he played his first Shadow Game with Yugi and condemning his bully to insanity; was dark. No memory existed between the space in time.

"Sorry, but I… don't remember anything from within the puzzle until Yugi finished it. My old age must be making my memory fade," Atem apologized with a light-hearted joke, despite knowing that his lack of memory was due to the puzzle's dismemberment.

"No worries, I wouldn't expect you to remember with how much you've been through," Surgoroku unmuted the television and lowered the volume so it was just background noise. "Speaking of that, when Yugi returns, the two of you should properly talk to each other. For that boy, you were the first major loss he's experienced. It's been hard on him."

Atem nodded in agreement. " I know, I am trying my best, but not knowing what he actually feels and thinks...makes it harder." He gripped tighter on to the cup of water. " And trying to understand why I'm here, why I Ieft the life we worked so hard for me to achieve…"

Atem pressed his forehead gently against his glass closing his eyes as he did so. "Even if I could understand Yugi, I won't know what to do given my current situation.I cannot even fathom what my next move is. I thought about confront Kaiba for his misdeeds, but...I'm not sure if it's even his entire fault that I ended up coming back. It was just his...technology, workers, and mokuba's words."

"Sometimes we go through things we can't completely understand at the time." Surgoroku's firm hand rough from callouses from long days caring for the game shop, rubbed Atem's back in the same fashion he had done for his grandson. "We can only try to learn from their experiences and continue one. When we lose something important or someone we love, it can sometimes blind us. But we can't let ourselves focus on the negative, we have to pick up the pieces left behind from heartbreak and carry on. Everyday is not guaranteed in life, and who knows how long this temporary gift you've received will last, so lets enjoy it. I'm sure if your friends would rather you be enjoying your time here, rather than in sorrow. Agreed?"

Atem lifted his head, smiling at the old man. "You are wise beyond your years, Grandpa."

Surgoroku sat up straighter as he smiled smugly. " Of course I am, how do you think my grandson managed to be the host for a king? He had his old grandpa to guide him!"

Atem took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as he restrained himself from letting his emotions get of his personal control. Yugi's grandfather's words had more effect than he could have the inspirational advice to the light banter he used to try and lift Atem's spirits, the former spirit was grateful for all of it. "Thank you, Surgoroku. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Pharaoh. Now how about we watch the news to see what's happening in this crazy world. It might do you some good to get your mind off of thinking about things that are out of your control. Let's just relax and take our time before the next hurdle we have to jump over."

"Agreed," Atem leaned back and sipped at the water given to him. It wasn't until that first sip, that the former king noticed how parched he had been; like he had been lost in the desert for days with no water in sight. The taste of the water was bland and despite how much cleaner the water was compared to when he was a king, to Atem, it just wasn't as pure as the water from his paradise. Despite this, he took another large gulp to quench his dry throat.

" Emergency crews responding to the Kaiba Corporation distress call issued by one other than Mokuba Kaiba, Vice President of the Kaiba Corporation, have released information regarding the call. 'Paramedics responded to a medical distress call for one of the researcher in the Medical Research department of the corporation. Once there, they proceeded to treat one unconscious patient who was later transported to the Domino Regional Hospital, and another patient who was conscious and refused transport. No further information was given due to privacy rights.' Workers inside the facility have reported a potential gas leak inside the building, but when the CEO of Kaiba Corporation, Seto Kaiba, was questioned about the incident that happened early this morning, he refused to comment. Leading us to believe the incident is still under investigation by the company. "

'A gas leak?' Atem placed his now empty glass down on the table and stared at the television in confusion as the same video of Kaiba that was a live feed earlier, was played as the voice of the news reporter spoke over it.

It must have been the story Mokuba and Kaiba had decided on releasing regarding his...outburst. But the lie bothered Atem greatly. What about the man he let get away? What if he came forward with the truth? Atem pulled the leather rope holding the puzzled, over his neck then raised the artifact to his eye level. 'Is it possible that I can reverse a punishment from a Shadow Game?'

If he could reverse the shadow game on the young scientist, then maybe it would be more likely for the gas story to be passed on. Because if that man woke remembering everything….Atem feared that his actions could put the the Mutou family in trouble.

Atem lowered the puzzle into his lap and sighed softly. "Grandpa, are you sure it is okay for me to stay here with you and Yugi? I'm humbled by the kindness the two of you have offered to me," Atem looked at the elder with concern. "But I might bring- "

The former king stopped speaking the moment he noticed Surgoroku's closed eyes and soft snoring. Atem was baffled by how quickly the old man had managed to fall asleep next to him. Snorting, Atem shook his head with a gentle smile. He must have had a busy day in the shop.

'Maybe I should rest too, until Yugi comes back.' Atem closed his eyes, with hope that he could get some rest himself.

"Breaking News, we now go to the spokesman for Kaiba Corporation, Mr. Isono, with an official announcement from the CEO, Seto Kaiba."

Atem opened his eyes in curiosity. So much for sleeping, Kaiba was yet again interfering with his peace, this time by what he had ordered one of his workers to tell the media.

"At 09:37, a container of nitrous oxide was accidentally busted during our medical research team's moving after their genetics program's funding cut. The release of the gas caused one of our staff members to become disoriented and-"

Heavy footsteps tore Atem's focus from the live announcement. He perked up in excitement. 'Yugi must be back, I should greet him.'

Putting the puzzled back in its spot hanging from his neck, Atem slowly pushed himself from the couch to stand. He wobbled, unsteady as he relied on the couch to keep him standing as he slowly circled around the couch to the left.

He had just made it to the backside of the couch when the door separating the Mutou home from the Kame Game Shop, opened.

Atem rooted himself in place. His warm welcome became stuck in his throat, and his left hand held onto the back of the Mutou's couch so tight, his knuckles were paling.

"Kaiba."

Anger made Atem's blood boil, his eyes narrowed in hate as he stared down his rival as the man continued walking into the Mutou's home without bothering to take his black dress shoes off.

"So, you finally decided to return, Yugi"

Atem resisted the urge to lash out at the man standing in the living room of the Mutou's home, just a meter apart from him. Those words were meant to hurt him. Kaiba knew his name, knew he was not Yugi. The differences from his incarnation were obvious now.

"What are you doing here Kaiba?" Atem held his head higher as he sternly questioned the duelist. He wouldn't give this man the pleasure of a reaction like he was hoping, he didn't deserve it.

"Hm."Kaiba crossed his arms over his chest as he stood his ground, his blue eyes did a quick survey of the king's body, before returning to lock gazes with his rival. " I've come to get what I'm rightfully owed. Now get dress and come with me."

"Absolutely not!" Atem shouted quickly at Kaiba, his aggravation growing. "I owe you nothing."

"Really? Then are you prepared to face the consequences of not agreeing to accompany me? Would you endanger your precious friends for the sake of your pride?"

Atem used his right hand to hold onto the puzzle, as if he was hold himself back. "Leave my partner and our friends out of this, Kaiba! They have nothing to do with this!"

"Yugi and his grandfather have took official Kaiba Corporation property without my prior consent." Atem's eyes went wide in disbelief with Kaiba's. "If you do not come with me now, Pharaoh, I will report them for theft."

The former king turned his head away from Kaiba and to the still sleeping Surgoroku. He briefly wondered how the man was managing to sleep through his and Kaiba's raised voice.

Atem's facial expression softened, becoming less angry and display more of his guilt. He was afraid of this. Afraid of causing unnecessary concern and trouble for Yugi and his grandfather because of their involvement with him. Sighing, Atem pushed away from the couch and stumbled his way to the nearest wall. He kept his struggle well hidden as he used the wall for support as he worked his way towards the home's exit.

"Running away again?"

Atem bit back a growl. "I have never ran away from anything in my life, why would I start now Kaiba?" He shot back at the CEO. The former spirit reached the door and paused. "I'm moving our conversation where we won't disturb Yugi's grandfather. Unlike you, I have some tactfulness for my hosts."

"Hn."

Atem ignored the arrogant sound from Kaiba as he forced his weakened body to move and lead Kaiba without the use of a support.

The former king navigated through he back of the shop with little trouble, but took his time with out urgence. Spotting the opened back door, Atem felt insulted. Did Kaiba truly have little care for others he would leave the door to the Mutou's home and livelihood, open for strangers to take advantage of?

Atem dismissed the new wave of anger aroused by the violation of privacy. There was no sense of pouring more oil onto this fire when it was already blazing high enough.

Outside, Atem waited for Kaiba to leave the house, before shutting the door and leaning his back against it.

His legs quivered and every muscle in his body felt like they were being burned by Hell's flames. And yet, Atem kept his exhaustion covered by keeping his breathing slow, but heavy despite his efforts. He couldn't afford to show weakness. The last time he had, the world had nearly been devoured by an eternal darkness.

"Yugi… did not steal from you, Kaiba." Atem was breathless, but still confident. He glared up at Kaiba, standing in front of him, with ocean blue eyes cold as ice looking down on him- 'Wait, he's looking down on me?!'

"He took your body from my research facility, " Kaiba firmly stated, his arms once again crossed over his chest, as if he was trying to intimidate Atem...Maybe he was.

" I was willing-"

"You left unconscious, with Isono carrying you to the car and into Yugi's house. You couldn't have been 'willing'. "

Atem wasn't surprised, Kaiba knew he had been asleep when he was brought to the Mutou household. Isono was a loyal man to Seto Kaiba and one of the few people the Kaiba brothers had kept around, all because of his devotion.

Atem huffed through his nose. " Even if I had been conscious, I would have left willingly. I am not your property Kaiba, Yugi did not steal for you when I left that evil place."

Crossing his arms over his chest as well, Atem doesn't give Kaiba the chance to comment again. "You have done something that is damnable, Kaiba. You hired men to resurrect me, despite possibly knowing that I had passed on willingly, so I could be where I was meant to be!" He was yelling. When was the last time he had yelled at someone out of anger?

Atem dug his blunt nails into his arms. He ignored the sting of pain from the action. He ignored the trembling of his body from his pent up aggression and feelings of betrayal. All of this so he could perhaps get answer from the man responsible for him standing here, in this pathetic state of being.

" Kaiba, your selfishness knows no boundaries, does it? I once considered you to be a friend, an ally despite our rivalry. However, your recent actions have now opened my eyes. You are not my friend nor my rival, but a man consumed by his obsession! You desire so much to be victorious against me, that you threw away your morality! Did you truly only bring me here, to this world, to beat me?! Have you no shame? No dignity for yourself, or respect for the dead?! You had no right-"

"Shut your mouth!"

Atem silenced himself out of his own accord, rather than obeying Kaiba's demand.

"Don't you dare think you can lecture me. You, who threw away everything in this world, friends, family, and your responsibilities to them; have no right to lecture me! You preached about the importance of friendship and its worth, but then you just tossed it away, abandoning your own morals!" Kaiba throw his left hand out as he shouted his response at Atem. "You're pathetic! In the end you don't value that so called friendship. And you have the gall to call yourself a king!"

Atem gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief. His grip on his arm went slack as he stared at Kaiba in horror from his words. His mind was sent reeling, unable to come up with a reasonable response immediately. When he didn't, Kaiba pressed on with his attack.

"You are a hypocrite. A king who'd rather die than stay and fight! Weak!"

Atem clenched his jaw and turned his head from Kaiba, guilt and anger contorting into an expression he knows his rival has never seen from him. The truth in Kaiba's words hurt him more than any flesh wound could have, but there were lies which kept the former king from completely crumpling under those harsh accusations.

"You are wrong Kaiba!" Atem snapped back, slapping his right hand on his chest and letting his left arm fall to his side. "I would do anything to stay by my friends' sides, anything! You will never understand the trails my heart went through and how hard it was for me to leave everything behind. It was my destiny to travel to the world were the friends and family from my life as a king, lived. No matter how much I wanted to stay here, with my friends, with my partner, with Yugi, I had to go." Atem curled his fingers around the Millennium Puzzle tenderly. The memories of his friend's tears at the Ceremonial Duel, of the long nights he spent up debating with Yugi if they should even follow through, prior to the duel; were still a fresh wound in Atem's heart. "I have no regrets and I will not let you belittle me or the value of my friends! Now tell me Kaiba, why did you resurrect me?!"

Atem glared at Kaiba, determined to learn the truth and hear it from Kaiba's mouth. He needed to know, so he could go forward in this new life. So he could finally put this catastrophe behind him and begin to pick up the pieces of his heart.

"If you want to know so badly, than duel me!" Kaiba challenged his rival, extending his right hand out to Atem, then closing it making a tight fist. " Battle me and fight for that answer with your own hands, Pharaoh! Then you can judge this life as you see fit! If it is worth living or not!"

"Kaiba…" Atem warned the duelist, his voice getting deeper. " I am not dealing with you games. Tell me the reason, now."

"Then fight me. Right here, right now. But trust me, I won't hold back just because you can barely walk two meters before falling over like some newborn fawn." Kaiba took a step closer towards the former king. "Battle me, pharaoh"

"Fine then, if you want a duel that badly, I'll accept your challenge." Atem stepped forward himself, away from the door and stood shoulder width apart, crossing his arms over his chest once again. "But I warn you, Kaiba, at the end of our duel, you will regret everything! I will make you suffer the same as I have. You'll receive a penalty like no other you have experienced before. Maybe this time you will finally understand your wrongful ways!"

"Are you kidding me?" Kaiba barked out a laugh. "You wouldn't be able to withstand your own Shadow Game the way you are. You would lose before the end of my first turn."

"Are you sure about that, Kaiba?" Atem growled out and started taking slow unsteady, but confident steps towards his rival. " Do you want to weigh your arrogance against your very soul?"

"I'm positive I will win. Just look at yourself," Kaiba used his hand to gesture at the former king's feeble composure. " Right now you are driven by anger and nothing else. You will never beat me in such a powerless state, not even if you had the best cards at your disposal."

Atem kept silent as he closed the distance between him and Kaiba. He reached out grabbing onto the edges of Kaiba's opened trench coat, steady himself as well as keeping Kaiba from leaving. "I did it once before, when I was barely aware of myself, I can do it again."

"Tch," Kaiba scowled as he gazed down into Atem's livid eyes. "You are not the man I claim as my rival."

Atem's grip on Kaiba's coat tightened. "What?"

Before he could react, Kaiba shoved Atem's shoulder, pushing the other duelist away from him. Atem stumbled, unable to find his footing and fell backwards. The former king hissed as his back collided with the concrete, his body screaming in agony from the rough treatment.

"The person worthy of dueling me isn't controlled by his anger! He values his duels and does not treat them as a means to an end! Mokuba told me that the only one fit to duel me had final been revived, but he was wrong. You are just the shell of him, not even worthy of being called a duelist. A fraud. You, are not Atem."

Kaiba's words were like someone had just dosed him with ice cold water. The shock was almost too much for Atem. He wasn't worthy for Kaiba? He wasn't...Atem to Kaiba? Kaiba knew his name!?

Sitting up, Atem watched the other turn his back to him and begin to walk away. "Wait!"

He reached out, trying to grab the tail of Kaiba' coat, but failed. "Kaiba, wait!"

"If you want my attention, then show me you are worthy of my time and not some pathetic king who can't even stand on his own." Kaiba paused, and looked over his shoulder. " Show me you're a duelist worth being my rival."

Atem lowered his hand, silenced by Kaiba's cold eyes and words. He continued to only watch as Seto Kaiba walked away from him, from a duel.

This was wrong. What he was doing, how he was acting...wasn't him. Atem clawed at the ground and cursed under his breath at himself. His upset emotions had caused Yugi to suffer, and now he even made Kaiba turn his back on him, Kaiba of all people!

At this rate, he was going to turn this life into his own Hell rather than it actually being so insufferable. And it would be no ones fault, but his own.

"A-Atem!?"

The former king stiffened at the sound of his name. Yugi had finally returned home, only to see him… like this.

The former king cursed as Yugi's pounding footsteps grew closer and faster. Atem turned his head to look at Yugi just as the boy dropped to his knees on Atem's left to aid the fallen king. "What are you doing out here? Are you hurt?"

Atem took a deep breath and allowed himself to be helped to his feet by Yugi. "I was talking to Kaiba, and no, I'm just...sore."

"Kaiba was here? Why didn't you have Grandpa call me? I would have came home sooner!"

"I honestly wasn't thinking about help, partner" Atem answered truthfully, as Yugi placed Atem's arm around his shoulders and used his right hand, holding a plastic bag of food, to hug Atem's hip as they stood up together." I was angry and wanted to get answers out of Kaiba myself."

Yugi looked at Atem, troubled. "Did you get answers from Kaiba?" His words were cautious and Atem knew the boy had every right to be so.

"Not the ones I wanted, but I… He did open my eyes and for that, I'm thankful." Atem leaned against Yugi as the walked towards the back entrance of their now shared home. "I have not been acting as myself since I...woke up here. I hadn't realized it myself until Kaiba pointed out how… foolish I was being. Will you forgive me, Yugi?"

Yugi was quiet as he opened the back door. Atem lifted his head and looked at the younger male as he felt Yugi's shoulders shake.

"Yugi?"

The young duelist sniffeed and pulled them through the entrance to the back of the Kame Game Shop. " Of course I'll forgive you, as long as you forgive me too from our earlier fight. I'm just worried about you. You've already been through so much and to see you suffering like this, is hard."

"I dislike seeing you so upset over me." Atem grabbed Yugi's left hand with his own and squeezed it lightly. "We'll get through this together and enjoy this life while it lasts."

Yugi sniffled again and hummed happily. "Yeah, let's not be upset anymore and just enjoy this wait til Jonouchi, Anzu, and Honda hear about this. We won't get a spare moment to even think about any sadness or anger!"

A soft chuckle resonated from Atem, and the first time since he woke up back in Yugi's world, a true smile, though small, appeared on Atem's face as he looked at Yugi. "I'm looking forward to it."

AN: I am officially done with my classes until late August, which means more time to pump out these chapters and try and get a surplus created, for when classes start back up.

Please pardon any mistakes made, I'll re-check the edits of this chapter soon...I'm posting this wayyyy early in the morning.

This chapter was full of character conflicts, external and internal. I wrote this to show contrast and struggle. It may seem that Atem is adapting a little fast, but trust me he got a long way to go before he's back to 100%. For this section of the story, I actually pulled from the fourth season of DM in regards to Atem's struggles with himself. Remember how this guy was practically crippled by losing Yugi because of his pride and selfish desire to win? Well you might see some parallel here! He grieved for a while, but then used it as a drive to get Yugi back and defeat Dartz. While the Walking Dragon's arc did not happen in the timeline of this fic because it fallows more closely with the manga, it is one of the better 'emotion' and 'character' betrayal arcs of the anime.

I do hope all of my readers enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter will be a chapter of development, character and plot wise. We also get two new character introductions and some honorable mentions! I'll give a hint, one is a lovable goof, the other is quite more you guys guess them?

On a side note, I'm going to be posting a blind/puzzleshipping story sometime this month or in June. I've opened a poll for one of the two stories I'm debating between. If you like puzzle shipping too, please vote in it!

Also, I roughly have 20ish chapters planned for Afterlife, but I think it'll be finished around the 30th chapter, nothing past chapter 10 is set in stone yet!

Finally, I've been debating on creating a discord for my readers. I'm apart of several chatrooms of my fellow authors who have done something similar, so I thought it would be fun and cool for all of us!

I do want to give you guys a special thank you for all of your support!
All of the reviews, likes, favorites, bookmarks, ect. Have been more than I ever thought for this story! I actually squeal a little with each notification I get, because someone has read this story I spend so much time creating and having fun with.~

So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. ; u;/~