Sandy came back with hot beef stew and warmer clothes for the younger. Megan changed into them before eating. She thanked the woman, taking her bowl of stew, and chowing down with her family.

"So, what are your names?" Sandy asked the trio of nutcrackers as their humans ate.

"I'm Yugi and I'm Atem's nutcraker. Duo, the shinigami, is Heero's, and D belongs with Megan."

"Be careful while you're here with them. I've never heard of those triplets leaving this world, but it has to have something to do with your humans. Stay on your guard until you're at King Ryou's palace, no rats have ever taken it."

"So the rats are the main problem here. Wow, not much different from ours. Except there aren't any rat-humans, just rats." Duo muttered, glancing into the dinning room to see if Heero was finished.

"Duo, Yugi, you can sleep with your humans, but D, I'm afriad I can't let you do the same. It's not because of what you are, but the fact your human is a girl. A woman doesn't sleep with a man unless they're siblings or married. If she has a nightmare or something like that, then o.k, but not under any other circumstances are you to sleep with her."

"How is he supposed to protect her? What if those rats try to kiddnap her? Or our humans?"

"Don't worry Yugi. I can take care of myself in a fight." Megan yawned, quickly covering her mouth. "I think I'll go ahead and turn in. Thanks for the food and the clothes." She headed up the stairs, D following behind her.

"D don't listen to Sandy, o.k. You can sleep with me if you want to, but no funny stuff. I've always wanted to say that to a guy." She smiled as she hunkered down in the bed. D sat at the end, watching her.

He sat his sword by the bed, took off his boots, laid his cloak on the floor, and streched out next to his human. In her sleep, she snuggled up next to him, her hands balled into fists.

Heero was under the covers before Duo could get him to wait. The shinigami was put out. He knew he was a looker, but why didn't Heero react to him? Sure an arm around the waist is fine, but it wasn't enough for Duo.

He was sure Fate was giving him a second chance. Here slept his soul mate and he wasn't even a light sleeper! Then he got an idea. Duo pounced onto the bed, bouncing himself and Heero a few inches into the air. His human looked up at him, blue eyes ready for sleep.

"Duo, please let me sleep. I'll do anything you want, just let me sleep." The shinigami smiled. This was an entirely win-win situation.

"O.k, but only if you do what I want now."

"I'm tired." Heero groaned into his pillow. Duo lazily streched, feeling like a content house cat. He draped himself over his human's body. "Duo! What is it you want me to do?" The shinigami grinned.

"I want a kiss goodnight. Not a peck on the cheek, a real kiss."

"A kiss? I'm ready for anything and you say you want a kiss?!"

"What's wrong with a little kiss? Are you nervis? I won't let you sleep until I get my kiss." Heero grabbed Duo's collar and pulled him down. He pushed him away a few seconds later. "That wasn't long enough to count."

"So? I gave you a kiss, now go to sleep!" Duo leaned over, his braid falling over Heero's arm.

"This is the proper way to give a goodnight kiss." Duo silenced any protest from his human with his lips. The other was too tired to fight back or he didn't want to. "Mmm. You taste very good."

Yugi slept soundly as Atem stepped back into the room. He really didn't want to hear what might happen next in Heero's room. He watched his nutcraker for a little bit. His violet wings were spread out behind him, taking up much of the bed.

The blankets were pulled up tight under his arms. Atem half-smiled. It felt like this was how it should be between him and the angel. He shook his head, getting the thought out of his mind.

The middle quickly changed and climbed in beside Yugi. It was the only place where there was enough space for him. The angel glanced at him with blurry eyes.

"Atem, what took you so long?"

"I heard an intersting conversation from my cousin's room. Duo wanted a goodnight kiss and wouldn't stop until he got a proper one. My cousin gets mad when he doesn't get to sleep on time."

"Oh."

"Go back to sleep. I want to watch you sleep again." Yugi snuggled close to Atem and closed his eyes. He brushed a blonde bang away from the other's face.

Yugi felt like he had when his beloved Pharaoh had slept beside him. That night they shared a similar dream, where Atem was the Pharaoh and Yugi was his lover.

T.D.K- Cute moments!!!!!!! -runs around happpily-

Atem- Read and review, no flames!