My turbulent mind barely gave me the pleasure of resting my body. The night left me in that silence from which I could only hear my own, beating heartbeat that did not calm down. I ran my fingers lightly over my lips, hallucinating that I could still feel Pharaoh's lips on mine. That idiot ... he thinks he could just come by surprise and kiss me this way.
I forced myself to stay in bed until my eyes could no longer stand and gave in to the night's rest. The night had been quiet, and I ended up waking up with my grandfather. He snuck up to my room and woke me up. She said Téa had called, but I hadn't answered so she called my grandfather. I got up and went to take a quick shower to be presentable to Téa.
I went down the stairs still a little sleepy from the few hours I slept and smiled when I saw the figure of the girl in my room. His blue eyes shone in the clear morning light and cast a tender look along with his gentle smile.
- Good morning Yugi. - She said between a graceful smile - Sorry if I woke you up, I have good news.
- Good morning Téa. Okay ... it's too late to stay in bed. - I smiled - So, what is it?
- Mokuba called me this morning. It seems that Kaiba was released from care and returned to lead his championship. It seems that he is still a little shaken and has been acting strange, but Mokuba assured us that the brother can receive our visit now. Apparently, it seems to me that Mokuba is anxious to know what happened, since Kaiba refuses to say anything about it. - She nibbled her lips.
- I understand. Do we have a time to go there? I looked at her, frowning slightly.
- Ah yes! - She turned to the small bag and took her cell phone from one of her pockets, opening the screen and looking for something - It says here that we can visit you at 14:00.
- Right - I nodded and smiled slightly - Joey and Tristan are going too? I imagine that even if they don't like Kaiba very much, they are curious to know if he is okay.
- Yes. I think they will. Joey seems anxious, after all he was with you when it all happened, isn't it? - She tilted her head slightly to one side, making an angelic face.
- Yes ...- he said in a low tone and I turned my eyes to another corner of the room. - I'm also curious.
It reminded me of the scenes from that day and the explanation of Atem the day before. Everything still felt like an unsolved mystery in my head, but some things were starting to make sense. However, now with that unexpected kiss, I feel that Pharaoh will keep his distance again and the questions in my head will have no answers again.
I sighed and came back to reality. Téa was still looking at me, and she swung her body towards the table to sit down. I followed her timidly and sat in the opposite chair. She smiled and put her hand on mine that rested on the table. Téa was a great friend, I always felt better in the girl's company, even in confusing moments like this, her serenity and kindness made my soul awaken a light. Although everyone says that I am the optimist of the group, Téa was one of my balances.
- So, did you manage to speak to Atem? She raised her brown eyebrows and her eyes grew intense.
- Yes. - Téa's curious eyes yearned to hear the answer. - He showed up yesterday. - I smiled slightly.
- That's great Yugi. What did he say?
- A lot of things. - I pouted and spent my hand for the millennium.
I told Téa the explanation that Pharaoh had given to his disappearance and the strange event with Kaiba. Téa showed some surprise and anxiety during my story, and she was surprised by Atem's double personality. I ended up not telling her about the kiss. I wanted to keep it a secret because I wasn't sure what that gesture meant. Being the confused person that I am, it would take me a few days to process.
- Yugi, so he's in a terrible phase ... what can we do ??? - Téa spoke in a low tone.
- I don't know Téa. But we will definitely do something, he is my friend, and I will not leave him in this state. If he is telling the truth, he is like that because of me and I must help him at any cost!
- You're right. You can count on me for whatever you do. - She nodded.
- Yes Thanks Téa. - I smiled graciously.
We talked a little more and ate, waiting for the time to pass until the scheduled time to visit Kaiba. Around 2:00 pm, Joey and Tristan appeared at the door, with smiles and nervous nerves to get us going.
We took a taxi there, as it is a long journey to the Corporation. We entered the large bluish building, with many floors, and arrived at the penultimate where Kaiba was waiting. The guards welcomed us and called for Mokuba, who soon came to meet us with a childlike smile on his lips.
- Yugi! - He came in front of me and smiled. - Glad you came. My brother is waiting in the next room. Follow me, please.
He turned and walked down the long corridor to the wide room at the end of the floor. We entered and came across a soothing room, with rugs, sofas and pillows that made him comfortable only visibly. Kaiba was in a chair with his back turned, drinking a cup of coffee. Mokuba called to him calmly and Seto turned to us, his intense blue eyes staring at us.
He got up from the chair with apparent difficulty, and soon took a better stance. His expression had already shown the effect of the absent mind for two days. He did not have his typical face of arrogance and superiority. His eyes became even tighter when they focused on me. He moved his hands slightly and took a breath to speak.
- Please have a seat.
Joey was the first to be surprised. We certainly didn't expect this discrepancy in Kaiba's behavior, and the astonishment on Joey's face was what represented us there. We curled up on a beige sofa, which was so soft that we slowly sank into it. Téa looked at Seto for a moment, as if mesmerized by the boy, who was now taking his cup of coffee and sitting with his younger brother on a sofa opposite us.
- Kaiba - I looked at him and expressed a small smile - thanks for having us. You look better now.
- I've been better. Mokuba insisted that you come ... we have matters to attend to, right Yugi? He gave her an intimidating look before looking back at his drink.
- About that, we are sorry Kaiba ...- He said in a low tone, but enough so that the words came out strong.
- Yugi. - A voice resonated almost in my ear.
Before I could say anything else, the Atem spectrum came up beside me. His sudden presence made my eyes focus on his appearance and pay attention to his deep voice.
- Let me talk to Kaiba, I can explain what happened. He turned his intense eyes on me. - Please.
I nodded, and he returned to the millennium, exchanging our bodies. In seconds, his eyes appreciated Seto's face from his own sockets. He crossed his arms in his beautiful and imposing position, which made Téa immediately notice the change in posture.
- Actually, it wasn't Yugi's fault ... you know your business is with me Kaiba. - The lilac eyes looked at Seto calmly.
Kaiba turned his blue eyes up almost instantly after hearing Pharaoh's voice.
- You ...- You could almost feel a fear in the voice of the owner of the corporation.
Pharaoh rose from the couch calmly, and Seto frowned, suspicious of his movements. It felt like it was the time he had been in the Shadow Realm, deeply traumatized him. Atem took a few steps forward and looked at Kaiba. His lips compressed and his eyes strayed to the floor.
- It was an accident. I had no intention of sending him to such a terrible place ...- Pharaoh's voice was thick and reverberated throughout the room.
- What place? What is Yugi talking about? - Mokuba interrupted Pharaoh's words.
Atem turned his face and looked at Mokuba. He frowned slightly, as if pondering telling the boy the truth. Well, the truth was too confusing, even for an intelligent boy like Seto's brother.
- I'm not Yugi, Mokuba. - He looked at the boy who expressed confusion. - I am a spirit of the millennium of Yugi. And I sent your brother to a terrible place. It was an accident because of his brother's arrogance ...- Now Pharaoh was looking at Seto.
- You abuse an unknown power ...- Seto turned his face to the other side, saying Yami calmly.
- I know, I haven't used that kind of power in years. - Atem returned Kaiba a sincere look. - And I never intend to use it again ...
- Even if I believe - Kaiba said in a bored voice - you must still be punished in some way.
- Hey! - Joey protested from where he was. - He's already apologized. Besides, you were the one who gave Pharaoh reasons to start the conversation ... cursing Yugi like that and treating us like rubbish.
- Joey. - Atem said reproachfully and turned to the blonde. - I appreciate it, but I think the punishment is fair. You really wouldn't understand how harmful those two days were to Kaiba.
- But Yami ...-
- Joey, I'm not in a position to protest. He's right. - He made a calm face and Joey finally conformed.
- I think it's fair that I stay out of my tournament ...- Said Seto after the discussion between Yugi and Joey. - You still seem dangerous to me and I wouldn't risk an accident in half a tournament because of you. - He said now in a tone of anger.
Atem just nodded, sighing.
- I will stay. But Yugi will still have the right to remain.
- How will I know if you won't cheat? You and Yugi are identical, there would be no way to differentiate them in a duel ...- Kaiba frowned in protest at the idea.
- Trust me. Not I'll get into the duels. Without the millennium, Yugi cannot connect his mind with mine. Then Yugi will go to his championship without the millennium. - Atem said slowly, showing the artifact around his neck.
At this point I appeared on the spectrum for Yami. I couldn't believe he would sacrifice himself like that. He knew I wouldn't duel without him for years. I would not abandon you this way.
- What do you think Pharaoh is doing ?! - I spoke indignantly beside him, but Yami just gave me a sneaky look and a mischievous and confident smile.
- Huuum ...- Kaiba pondered for a while. - It's all right. I hope you keep your word, otherwise Yugi will be kicked out of the games.
Atem just nodded and turned, returning to the couch where friends were already getting up. They said goodbye briefly and Mokuba, somewhat astonished, accompanied them out of the building with all the terms resolved. I returned to my body after we left and Atem and I didn't exchange words. He locked himself in his ancient palace again and left me distressed with the present situation.
Téa, Joey and Tristan left me at home. We were not sure if all was in order, but as we were tired, we preferred to talk about it the next day. I went into the house after saying goodbye to my friends and went to take a shower. Well, at least I tried, since I always forget that I have a spirit as a friend.