The Pharaoh and the Slave

Chapter Seven: Safe

Yami paced back and forth in front of Isis's room. He was filled with worry. Would Yugi be okay? Not only was he shot with an arrow, but the arrow was poisoned. What if he didn't-

"Prince Yami!"

Yami looked up to see a blond slave running towards him. When the slave reached him, he started to try to catch his breath. "Yug... Is Yugi okay?!" Yami could see the panic and fear on this boy's face.

Yami sighed. "I honestly have no clue, Joseph." Yami knew this slave due to the fact it was his cousin's slave. They had met before. "He's been in there for hours and I have received no word on his condition."

Joseph had finally caught his breath. "That kid... He was trying to protect you, wasn't he?" He asked. Prince Yami blinked in surprise. Before he could ask how Joseph knew, he spoke. "That kid... Yugi seemed to like you, even though you just met. And please, call me Joey."

Yami nodded before a woman walked out into the hall with a sigh. Yami and Joey turned to her. Before they could question her, she spoke. "He shall be fine. I managed to remove the poison and bandage his wound. He is sleeping soundly. You may visit him if you wish."

Joey looked at Yami, silently asking for permission to go see his fellow slave. Yami nodded and Joey immediately ran into the room. Yami turned to the woman. "Isis... Are you sure he will be okay?"

Isis smiled. "Do not worry, my Prince. He shall be fine." Her smile turned into a sad one. "He's amazing but reckless. He woke up in the middle of my removing the poison and asked if you were okay." Yami would have blushed if it wasn't for the fact he was still worried. "I have the feeling he will want you there when you wake up. It would also be polite to be there when he awakes." Isis yawned.

Yami put a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Isis, go rest. You've been in there for hours. You need sleep." Isis was about to talk back before Yami shook his head. "Should something go wrong, I shall send Joseph to fetch you."

"Very well." Isis said before bowing. "Goodnight, my Prince." She said as she left.

Yami sighed in relief once Isis was out of earshot. 'Thank Ra that Yugi is alright.' Yami said before turning to the door. 'I want to see Yugi but... I'm scared. It's my fault that he was hurt... What if he hates me now... To have the one I love hate me..."

Yami froze as realization hit him.

The connection and feelings he was feeling while around Yugi was love.

Yami's thoughts were interrupted as a blonde stepped into the doorway. Yami looked up as Joey smiled at him. "Yugi is awake; he wants to see you."

:-:-:-:

Atem marched to the throne room in both anger and determination. What Yugi and Heba said stuck with him. Yugi didn't want Heba to be killed, and Atem would not allow Heba to be killed. But Heba's confession...

"My employer is Princess Tea."

Perhaps Atem could use this information as well as the other information he received to free Yami of Tea's obsession of him but also free Yugi and Heba of their chains to a certain degree.

Of course, he would have to face his father.

But he would do it, not only for Yugi and Heba, but for his younger brother as well.

With determination filling his being, Atem marched into the throne room.

:-:-:-:

Yugi sighed as Joey left the room before wincing. Despite the poison being removed and the wound not being too bad, it still hurt like hell. But he wasn't worried about either the pain or the wound; he grew up with worse wounds, so he knew he would live.

"Yugi?"

Yugi looked up to see Yami with an unreadable expression. 'Don't tell me...' Yugi smiled. "Hey, Mou Hitori no Boku." Yugi watched as Yami walked over and sat next to Yugi. Yugi sighed. "Yami, this isn't your fault." Yami looked up in shock. 'Guess he's surprised I knew what was on his mind.'

Seeing that Yami couldn't form words, Yugi grabbed his hand. "Yami, I willingly risked my life for a reason." Yugi explained. Seeing that he had Yami's full attention, he continued. "Yami, I care about you. I feel things while around you that I haven't ever felt. I wanted to keep you safe." Yami's expression became shocked. Yugi smiled. "Besides, I knew that there was a chance I would survive." Yugi said.

"Yugi..."

:-:-:-:

"Yugi..."

Yami couldn't believe it... It was like Yugi could read his mind. But he still couldn't get rid of the thought of Yugi's injury being his fault. Every second he thought about it, more tears built up...

...to the point that Yami couldn't deal.

Yami pulled Yugi to his chest and let tears fall. "I was so afraid... I was afraid that the poison would kill you... I thought... I thought you would die!" Yami vaguely felt arms wrap around him. "If I lost you... I dunno what I would have done..." He backed out of the hug and cupped Yugi's shocked face. "Please, Yugi..." He put their foreheads together and closed his eyes. "I lost my mother... Don't let me lose you too..."

Yami opened up his eyes as he felt hands being placed on top of his own. He was greeted with the sight of a smiling Yugi.

"Of course, Yami."

And then Yami, not thinking straight, did something to shock them both.

He kissed Yugi.

:-:-:-:

A/N: CLIFFHANGER. Chapter seven and they already kiss. I mean I know they have only known each other for, like, twenty-four hours, but what's wrong with love at first sight? XD AND YOU GO ATEM; SHOW YOUR FATHER WHO'S BOSS! PROTECT THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT.