Life after Puzzle, Part Seven A

Yugi woke up and noticed that Atem was gone. He turned over and heard the shower running. He smiled and got out of bed. He chose some clothes to wear and he thought about what they were going to have for dinner. They had slept until 5:30ish, and he was getting hungry. He startedto put his shoes on when he heard the shower stop. A few minutes later Atem came out, dressed in the same clothes he wore when her first saw Yugi.1

"I forgot, you don't really have any clothes. Well, we'll have to get you some. While we're out, we'll get something to eat at Burger World," Yugi said.2

Atem smiled, "You always did like hamburgers."3

Yugi smiled and went over to Atem. They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed softly.4

"Let's go," Atem said.5

Yugi nodded. He walked over to his desk and pulled his coat off of the back of his chair. Atem held the door open and they left.6

Since Atem wasn't sure what kind of clothes he liked, they went to several different shops. They finally settled on a small vintage shop they found close to Yugi's house. Yugi thought it was ironic considering what time period Atem originally came from. He didn't mention that to Atem, but he couldn't help stifling the small laugh that threatened to erupt. Atem picked out several outfits that were similar to Yugi's. They finished shopping and left to go get dinner. Atem was carrying the bags while Yugi chatted away about Burger World. Suddenly three figures darted out in front of them. One went for Yugi while two of them went for Atem.7

"Yugi,run!" Atem shouted.8

Yugi turned and ran. He tried to get away, but he was tackled by one of the people. He was thrown into a limo that took off just as Atem came around the corner. The limo shot passed him.9

"Yugi!" he yelled.10

"What do you mean, he's been kidnapped?!" Joey demanded.11

Atem had called all of them and told them to come to Yugi's quick. Atem dropped his head and sighed.12

"These three guyes came out of no where and attacked us. Two went after me and the third went after Yugi. He tried to get away, but he was thrown into a limo," he explained.13

"We have to find him immediately!" Joey said. He ran towards the door. Tristan stopped him by punching him in the gut. 14

"What was that for?" Joey gasped.15

"We can't go rushing off. We don't even know where he is," he told him.16

"But..."17

"He's right. We'll find him, but we can't just go running around blindly," Tea said.18

A knock on the door startled them all. Miho opended the door and a man in a suit stood there.19

"I'm looking for Atem Motou." he said.20

"I'm him," Atem said. He walked over to the door.21

"Seto Kaiba sends this," the man said.22

He handed Atem a small card that had "Invited" written on it. Atem took it and looked at the guy.23

"What is this?" he asked.24

"It's an invitation from Mr. Kaiba. Details are inside," the guy replied and left.25

Atem closed the door and turned around to face the group.26

"What's it about?" Joey asked.27

Atem didn't answer. He opened the card and a picture fell out. He picked it up and turned it over.28

"What the...!" he exclaimed. He stared at the picture.29

"What is it?" Tea asked.30

"It's Yugi!" he answered, anger crept in his voice.31

"What?" Tristan asked. He took the picture from Atem.32

Atem llooked at the invitation. It said to be at the Kaiba Dome at 8:00 p.m. A little note written in Kaiba's handwritting said:33

*If you want to see Yugi again, come to the Kaiba Dome, TONIGHT!*34

Anger rippled through Atem. He crumpled up the card and threw it. He turned around and started to walk out of the door. Joey grabbed his arm and stopped him.35

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.36

"After Kaiba, that *bunny*! How dare he do this?!" Atem growled.37

"I understand your feelings, but you can't rush in there. Besides you know exactly what kind of fight he's looking for, and it's not the kind you want," Joey said.38

Atem stared at the floor. He bit back the words that wanted to come out about how Joey had no idea what he was feeling. Anger swirled inside him. He wanted to tear Kaiba apart, but he knew Joey was right. He nodded and Joey let go of him. He walked up stairs and looked around for a deck, any deck. He spotted one in a glass box and went over to get it. He opened the box and pulled it out. He started to look at the cards when he realized that he knew that deck.39

"It's my deck," he whispered, "Yugi must have kept it."40

His anger ebbed a little when he thought of Yugi. He noticed another deck and saw that it was Yugi's. He looked through it and took three cards from it. He added them to his deck and placed his cards in his belt. He put Yugi's deck in his pocket and then went back down stairs. He looked at the clock and then at the group. Itw as 7:50 p.m.41

"Let's go." he said.42

The group follwed Atem as he ran down the street towards the Kaiba Dome.43

The group got to the Dome a couple of minutes early. They told Atem good luck and to teach Kaiba a lesson. Atem merely nodded and headed into the arena. The rest of the group went up to the fan seats. Atem walked in and saw Kaiba standing in the middle of the arena.
"Where is he, Kaiba?" he demanded.
"He's right here," Kaiba replied. He snapped his fingers and a cage rose out of the floor.
Yugi was lying on the floor of the cage. Atem ran over to it.
"Yugi, Yugi! Are you okay?" he asked.
"Mmmm... Atem?" Yugi said groggily.
"Yugi! What have you done with him, Kaiba?" Atem growled.
"Oh nothing. He's just sedated," he replied.
"You *bunny*!" Atem swore.
"Atem?" Yugi asked.
"Yugi?" Atem said softly.
"He only wants to duel you. He doesn't care about me. You can beat him, I know you can. Do it for me, partner," Yugi murmered.
"I will. Don't worry Yugi, I'll get you out of there," Atem whispered.
Atem stood up and glared at Kaiba.
(I will beat you Kaiba. I have to, for Yugi,) he thought.
(Be strong, you can do this.) Yugi's voice sounded in his head. Atem turned and looked at Yugi.
(I didn't think we'd have this anymore?) Atem thought.
(We still do, I guess. I didn't know either, until you just thought that,) Yugi said.
(I wonder how many of our other connections are left.) Atem wondered.
(I don't know, but we'll find out.) Yugi thought.
Atem nodded and looked back at Kaiba.
"Stop Stalling Atem. It's not going to help you now," Kaiba taunted.
"I'm not stalling, Kaiba. After I win this Duel, you will let Yugi go," Atem demanded.
"Of course, that's if you win the duel, but you won't. I will, and I'll finally get my revenge!" Kaiba laughed manically.
"We'll see," Atem said.