Gem of Life *~RPG~* (for LadyKeren and PharaohsAngel)

Atem wasn't entirely sure how how to answer, since Ra had not given him all the details and he was expected to figure things out on his own. He caught a glimpse of her cross and frowned a little. 'Hmmm. For some reason it feels as if it is not mere coincidence I have crossed paths with this woman.' "I would assume this keeper is somewhere on earth..but I was not given a definite time limit to search for it. I do want to as soon as possible." He could hear a hint of sadness in her voice and it gripped at his heart. "It's all right. We can find it."

"Thank you. Your support means a great deal to me." Atem was about to rest his hand on Angela's shoulder but then when he heard Yugi's voice he nearly jumped a mile. He turned around to see Yugi standing there wide eyed. He wasn't sure whether he should be relieved or shocked since he had believed the young man was very angry with him. Even so, he forced an awkward smile. "Yes. So our paths cross again, Yugi." He was aware at the fact that he sounded rather stoic, but he didn't want to show Yugi he had been hurt by his treatment of him."

Solomon Mutou noticed Angela's blush and started chuckling. "If I didn't know any better, I would say you have fallen for him. He certainly looked a bit happier." He knew he was teasing the young woman, but he couldn't resist.

~~~~~~~~~~

Atem had to force himself to maintain eye contact with Yugi. "So I trust you are well. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?"

Yugi had initially wanted to jump for joy, but seeing Atem so nonchalant made that desire fade away. "Yes, I'm fine considering how much hell I had been through the past 2 days. Do you have any idea how worried sick I was about you?? Only to realize you had run away to be with a girl you didn't even know??!"

Atem's eyebrows arched way up. He had no idea Yugi would feel that strongly about how he left that night. "Listen, Yugi, it isn't what you think. She rescued me and was kind enough to take me in until I am able to move back to Egypt."

Yugi's eyes widened and his facial expression grew pinched. "I can't believe this! First you die, then you return all of a sudden out of nowhere and now you want to leave us again? Ra, you really are selfish." He shook his head, letting out a sigh.

Atem was usually one to listen to his friend pour out his hurt and anger but this time he walked over to him, grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him, which was enough to at least get him to stop ranting. "Yugi..please..listen to yourself. You think you're the only one who has suffered? I have only did what I thought was best for both of us, especially considering..." His voice shook a little.."Considering you despise me and have branded me as a traitor for something I had no control over..but when I crossed paths with Angela, she..she gave me the kindness I thought I would never receive again.." He removed his hands from his shoulders and turned away from his former counterpart.

Yugi turned away from Atem and squirmed a little, gulping. He was sure if he told him what he said to Atem, he would get yet another scolding. He had intended to apologize to his friend and make amends, yet he had failed at that because he let his emotions get the best of him. "Nothing! Sorry for being so loud."

The energy in the basement was so tense and Atem couldn't stand it. He couldn't believe how things had changed between himself and Yugi. He had convinced himself that Yugi just needed time to get over his return, but now there seemed to be a genuine rift between the two of them..all because of him trying to deal with his pain the best way he knew how. But one thing was for certain--he wasn't going to lose friendship with Angela over this. And he didn't appreciate Yugi trying to pretend nothing was wrong and lying to Mr. Mutou either. "Somehow me being honest about my feelings has made him more angry with me," he called out to the old man.

(*laughing* say like 3 year olds..though I could picture him saying that)

Atem lowered his eyes a little. He didn't want to put Angela in the middle. "Wait, before you go Grandpa, I have to let you know the truth what was being said between us. He is angry that I had left your home that night, although it was clear that he needed to be given time to process my return. He harbours bitterness and resentment towards me for my departure, although I had no choice, once he had defeated me in our duel. He has gotten the wrong idea about the time I have spent with Angela, and accused me of being selfish, when I distanced myself for both of us." He sighed despairingly. "I'm afraid things are beyond repair now and he will forever see me as a traitor. "

Yugi watched as his grandfather left. He knew when his grandfather used that tone, his authority was absolute. Plus now that he thought about it, he was the one behaving ridiculous when Atem was trying to be calm. He rubbed his hands together and took a deep breath. "Listen. The real reason I wanted to find you was because I have something very important to tell you."

Atem's frown softened a bit and he quirked an eyebrow. "Really? And what's that?" He hoped he wouldn't have to "father" Yugi anymore. It was quite ridiculous to have to do so, considering they were able to talk things out like mature young men before.

"I want to say I'm sorry for how cold I was towards you and making you feel like you did something wrong. I know it wasn't your fault you had to leave us. I was mainly stressed out because of Tèa and I took it out on you. That wasn't fair. I did need time to digest it, but that's no excuse for how I treated you. And I'm sorry for calling you selfish. I know you were just giving me space and I appreciate it. And I was the one who drove you away.I really was worried about you, but it was because I was afraid I wouldn't have a chance to apologize to you."

Atem looked deep into the eyes of his former dueling partner and he could see how contrite he was.They didn't have misunderstandings like this often, and he was glad it was just that, a misunderstanding. "I accept your apology. And I honestly wasn't trying to upset you when I considered going back to Egypt. I am just the fool who was trying to protect my pride. I truly feared you despised me and wouldn't view me as a friend again."

Yugi walked over to the pharaoh and rested both of his hand on his shoulders. "I do not hate you, and you're not a fool so please don't think that. I understand. I was actually afraid you hated me because of how I acted."

Atem shook his head. "No. Your words hurt me, but I do not hate you. Life is too short to bear grudges, and I am sure you know that, too. It is you who I learned it from."

Yugi removed his hands off of Atem's shoulders and hung his head. "Yeah..and for a moment I forgot that and was about to let my confused feelings consume me. "

Atem gave him a firm look. "Now now, you mustn't be hard on yourself. You are human. You had helped me during my darkest moment and I am glad I was able to help you during yours. I want to put this behind us and strengthen our friendship, but it takes both of us. Are you willing to do that?" He had a pleading look in his eyes.

Atem felt moved when he heard Yugi's grandpa refer to him as like a second grandson, especially considering he had not spent too much time with the old man..only on their adventures in India..although Shimon looked exactly like him.

Yugi let out a sigh of relief that his task of apologizing to Atem was done..but then he remembered there was someone else he should be apologizing to. 'I wasn't very nice about Angela either..and she helped Tèa, too. I don't want her to think I am ungrateful. ' He approached the brunette, Atem staying close by but not to the extent where he would be eavesdropping."Angela? I know I didn't give a good impression back there. Sorry for sounding like a brat. I really am grateful that you took care of Atem. If you hadn't, I would not have been able to patch things up with him."