I Will Wait

Chapter 12 - The New Ring Holder

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Atemu ran faster than he ever had in his life back to the throne room. He burst through the doors of the palace and to the throne room. Leaving guards and servants confused. He past Ryou, who instantly followed him.

Atemu ran through the throne room doors and stopped in his tracks. Yugi was laying next to his throne on the ground coughing badly. He ran over and took him in his arms. Yugi clutched tightly on his tunic, not going to let go. Bakura stood up and back off as the guards entered the room. Ryou was up next to him holding his hand. Bakura stood 3 meters from the Pharaoh and Yugi. The guards instantly stood on either side of the albino’s. Ryou clinging to Bakura now, scared to let go.

Atemu looked up at Bakura and noticed the ring on his neck. He stood up, putting Yugi carefully on the throne and went to retrieve the ring from Bakura’s neck. The guards forced Bakura knees, thus receiving a glare from the Pharaoh. Atemu stood in front of Bakura.

“Bakura where did you get the Ring?”

“Yugi gave it to me. He put it on my neck, not me. I held it all the way here before he put it on my neck. He was saying something about it wanting me. I don’t know what he meant by that.”

“Alright. I don’t know how Yugi found that. It’s been missing for over 4yrs. Doesn’t matter now.”

Atemu reached forward to take the ring off Bakura’s neck only to get zapped by it. Atemu took a step back cursing. Bakura stared down at the ring confused.

“What happened Pharaoh? Are you alright?” A guard asked.

“Fine. It zapped me. Not like that will stop me.”

Atemu called forward shadows to cover his hands to protect him and reached forward to take the ring from Bakura again. He nearly got it till a small shaking hand was placed on his arm. Atemu looked down at the hand and followed it to its owner. Yugi was standing there, sweating looking at him.

“A-Atemu, n-no. I-It wants Bakura. I-It called me (coughs) a-a-and s-said that B-Bakura w-was to h-have it.”

Yugi felt dizzy and fell backwards. Before he hit the ground Atemu had his arms around him. He lifted Yugi bridal style into his arms and went and sat down on the throne with him. He wiped bangs from his face. Yugi smiled up at him.

Bakura walked forward and picked up the dry cloth and passed it to the Pharaoh, who took it thanking him. Atemu wiped the sweat from Yugi’s face gently, careful of the bruise on his face. Bakura took the wet cloth and dipped it back in the water, letting it sit there for a second before wringing it out and passing it to the Pharaoh. Atemu frowned at Bakura because of his actions, but taking the wet, cool cloth and placing it on Yugi’s forehead.

“Atemu…”

“Shh, don’t talk. Rest, I’m disappointed in you for leaving the room Yugi. But right now just rest.” Atemu said gently.

“After I say this. Bakura was destined to have the Ring, Atem. It called me to it and said for him to have it. Done, I‘ll be quiet now.”

“Bakura where did you find him?”

“In the old library. He was in the back corner. That room is full of dust. It can’t be very good for him in his current state. I would keep a close eye on him.”

“Ok. Back to the decision about whether I should let you live or not.”

Atemu saw Ryou cling tighter to Bakura and Bakura wince at the pressure. It caused him to chuckle silently to himself to see the famous tomb robber in a little pain. Bakura removed Ryou’s arm from his and he held him close, Ryou clutching his tunic desperately. Atemu felt Yugi put his hand on his arm telling him to let him live. Atemu smiled.

“You are to stay at the palace as the new Millennium Ring holder.” He declared.

Ryou cried in happiness and held Bakura tightly, crying in his chest. Bakura smiled and smiled happily down at Ryou. He whispered something to Ryou to get him to let go for a minute. He walked up to the Pharaoh and knelt down at his feet.

“Thank you Pharaoh, for everything. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

Atemu smiled. “I have some idea.” Nodding his head towards Ryou. “I know it’s not nice to lose a loved one. Even though I only lost Yugi for a few minutes but it was enough to make me understand why you did what you did.”

Ryou walked forward and knelt down next to Bakura. “Thankyou Pharaoh, so much. I-I don’t know what I would do if I lost Bakura now that I just got him back.”

“Ryou how would you feel if I released you from being a slave?”

Ryou snapped his head up, stunned at what the Pharaoh was offering. He couldn’t even form words. Atemu just chuckled at his reaction along with Bakura.

“Ryou, you and Yugi are released from a slave’s life and are free to do what you want.”

“D-Does that mean we have to leave the palace?” Ryou asked.

“Well if you are going to leave Bakura than yes. But if you are staying with him then you can stay.”

“You think I would leave him?” Ryou asked stunned

“No of course not. Just wanted to see your reaction at thinking you would have to leave Bakura behind.” He chuckled.

“That’s so not funny Pharaoh.”

“You’re right. Yugi what do you think of not having to be a slave…” He started asking as he looked down at him and chuckled. “Must be tired. I’m going to go and get some rest. Seto?”

“Yes, my Pharaoh?”

“Tell the whole palace that Yugi and Ryou are no longer slaves and that if they need something then it is to be given to them. Also have the Ring Holder Room prepared for both Bakura and Ryou.”

“Yes, my Pharaoh. Right away.”

“Bakura, Ryou you can do what you want now. The room should be ready soon. I’m going to rest with Yugi. If I’m disturbed it better be bloody well important.”

Everyone in the room bowed as Atemu stood up with Yugi in his arms and walked off towards his quarters.

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Atemu walked in and laid Yugi down on the bed and covered up. He went and ran a bath to help make Yugi feel better. Filling it up he turned off the water and went to collect him.

“Yugi…Yugi wake up. Come on time for a bath.” Atemu said gently as he woke Yugi up.

“No…tired so tired. Need to sleep.” Yugi mumbled weakly.

“No. Come on, you’ll feel better, I promise. After, you can sleep.”

He lifted the sheet off Yugi who reached out around him to find it. Atemu chuckled at the sight before lifting Yugi into his arms. Yugi instantly clutched onto him and sighed. Atemu walked into the bathroom and sat on the edge of the bath. He slipped off Yugi’s clothes before lowering him in the water. Yugi’s eyes shot open at the realization he was in water. He looked up at Atemu grumpily and crossed his arms over his chest and relaxed in the water. Atemu chuckled before stripping off and getting in as well. He pulled Yugi to his chest and helped clean him up.

After washing up, he hopped out and dried Yugi off then himself and both got dressed. He put Yugi in bed and left the room to get food for them both.

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Yugi watched sleepily as Atemu left the room. He closed his eyes before rolling on his side and coughing badly. He calmed down and rested again. It was 10mins till Atemu got back. But just before Yugi went into another coughing fit. This one was worse than before. He couldn’t get much air into his lungs.

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Atemu was walking back with a tray that had soup on in. He arrived outside his room, guards standing there. He was about to open the door when he heard coughing. He instantly handed the tray to one of the guards and bolted in. He saw Yugi coughing on his side. His face was paler. He ran over and sat down beside him. He patted his back trying to help him.

“Yugi try and calm down.”

He didn’t get to say anymore as Yugi got up and bolted to the bathroom. He leaned over the sink and started bringing up the stuff in his chest. Atemu followed and rubbed his back as he was leaned over. Once Yugi calmed down he took deep breathes and leaned back again Atemu.

“You alright?” Yugi nodded. “You worried me then.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t breathe properly.”

“Come on I have something for you to eat.” Yugi nodded as he was lifted into Atemu’s arms.

Yugi wrapped his arms around him and laid his head in the crook of Atemu’s neck. Yugi kissed his neck lightly in a thank you. Yami held him a little bit tighter. He sat on the bed and noticed the guard had placed the tray on the bedside table. He moved closer and took hold of the bowl and brought it closer to him. He took the spoon and placed a small amount of soup, brought it up and blew it a little before moving it to Yugi’s mouth for him to eat. Yugi opened his mouth and Atemu slipped in.

This continued till Yugi finished and Yugi laid back down. “I’m sorry.” He whispered looking away.

Atemu sighed and turned him to look at him. He leaned down and kissed him. He licked Yugi’s bottom lip which opened hesitantly. Atemu traced his mouth before pulling back as Yugi panted heavily. Yugi blushed and looked away again.

“(Sigh) Yugi look at me.”

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End of Chapter 12