AN: A shorter chapter to connect Chapter 12 and 14 better! Hope you all like it! Chapter 14 is really long...couldn't believe I ended it at about 3500 words. I'll be uploading it sooner than I normally update this story!

Chapter 13: Dependability

Atem casually put his hands in his pockets as the silence continues. Awkward would be the best word to describe it I guess for anyone who wasn't Atem at the moment. He side glanced down at Yugi standing beside him who was still beat-red looking bashful, before smirking and turning his attention forward.

"So...you found Atem," Jou cleared his throat trying to break the awkward air that currently enveloped him.

"Uh...Y-Yeah!" Yugi acknowledged with a squeak before mumbling to himself under his breath something about not meaning to raise his pitch so high.

Well...uh...ah..." Jou kept scratching his head feeling really out of place, "I'm glad!"

Yugi and Atem both looked at each other, gave a smile before Yugi returned to Jounouchi's attention.

"Wait...! The tournament!" Yugi exclaimed, "Jou, you need to get back before-"

"You didn't hear the loud announcement moments ago?" Jou questioned as Yugi looked bashful before he shook his head and laughed, "Kaiba postponed it..."

"He did...what?" Atem questioned, "Won't that cause a lot of-"

Before he could finish Atem noticed many duelists around the alleyways he could see angrily thrashing around, some crying and over all everything he had missed in the last hour became clear. He couldn't believe how much his mind focused on Yugi and blocked out the rest sometimes.

Jou gestured behind him before chuckling, "Looks like Kaiba single handedly caused the worse riot in Domino..."

"Did he say why?" Yugi asked a bit hesistant in his voice causing Jou and Atem to turn to his attention, "I-I mean...well...did he tell anyone?"

"Not really...he was his cold usual 'business my rules' self when he announced it." Jou shrugged as Atem raised an eyebrow.

"Partner..." Atem looked down and as the words left his lips Yugi's face went red and Jou looked frazzled. He could not understand why that nick name seemed to cause such a reaction.

"...yes, Atem?" Yugi questioned not looking up at him and putting his hands behind his back making Atem even more curious. He looked up at Jou and realized it instantly.

"Jounouchi told you." Atem stated as Jou and Yugi both looked shocked.

"How did you-" Jou began to ask as Atem folded his arms across his chest almost insulted.

"Two of the people I care about most, suddenly both at the same time trying to hide something from me? Don't insult me" Atem narrowed his eyes.

"Atem...Jou didn't mean to tell me...it sort of slipped out and I kinda pushed it out of him..." Yugi kicked the ground before looking up at Atem with a slight pout, "I was worried about you!"

"And so you told Kaiba..." Atem rolled his eyes, "...and he got dramatic and shut down his tournament because neither of us would be partaking?"

"Well, no, he said it was because he was concerned for Ishizu!" Yugi explained as Jou sighed.

"Nah, Yugi, Atem's right...he totally did it because he wouldn't get to duel you two" Jou shrugged.

"He's self-centered like that." Atem stated matter-of-factly.

"...well you have that in common..." Yugi glanced up at Atem and was surprised to receive a shocked not angry look from Atem.

"How? I have been thinking about you this whole time!" Atem stated causing Yugi to massively blush and Jounouchi to become extremely shocked.

"D-Don't...Atem...don't word things like that" Yugi buried his face in his hands as Atem raised an eyebrow.

"Word things like what?" Atem questioned.

"Ahem..." Jou coughed to gain attention, "...so uh...what's the plan?"

"Well...we have to get to Egypt somehow..." Atem pondered, "Ishizu might be in trouble..."

"What's that look for Yugi?" Jou asked as Yugi looked really guilty all of a sudden. It only took Atem moments to figure it out. Sometimes Yugi was really easy to read.

Atem slapped his face in frustration, "You asked Kaiba..."

Jounouchi looked angry, "Wait...what?!"

"I...I don't trust Pegasus..." Yugi tried to explain, "I know...I know he says he's changed...and he's helped us but...I..."

"Yugi, you're normally quicker to forgive then that..." Jou said, "I mean, I don't trust Pegasus...but I'm shocked to hear you don't..."

"Well...it's just...I don't want him to hurt someone I care about again..." Yugi sighed as Jou smiled and nodded.

"Ah. That's it." Jou looked up at Atem, "But Kaiba? Really? I mean..."

"He's come through for us when we needed him...sure he's...well...Kaiba," Yugi shook his head, "But I certainly trust him more than Pegasus right now!"

Atem sighed heavily. He really didn't want anyone involved and was growing annoyed at the thought of having to depend on Kaiba yet again. But as he looked down at Yugi's concerned face, he just couldn't stay mad at the situation anymore. Yugi always had a way of making Atem at ease no matter the situation. Atem smirked, gave Yugi a nudge to make him smile before looking at Jounouchi.

"Well I guess that settles things." Atem pointed to Jou's phone, "Better call the others"

"Oh yea..!" Jounouchi exclaimed before whirling around to dial the phone. Atem turned to Yugi.

"I'm sorry Atem..." Yugi said, "I just...I couldn't let you go through this...not by yourself, and certainly not with...well"

"I understand Yugi." Atem placed a hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry to make you worry."

"Um...about earlier..." Yugi said fidgeting with his fingers.

"Earlier..?" Atem questioned before realizing the answer, "Yugi...listen...you wanted me to be more open and well...it's how I feel..."

"Atem..." Yugi began as Atem shook his head.

"I'm not sorry..." Atem continued. Yugi gently placed his hand over top Atem's on his shoulder.

"No I...no I'm not mad..." Yugi shook his head, "Just...well, I'm happy..."

Atem smiled, "So am I partner."

"Hey guys!" Jounouchi said suddenly as Yugi and Atem turned their attention towards him, "Mai and Ryou are going to meet us at the airport... Honda and Otogi are going to stick around...make sure Sugoroku, Anzu, Miho and Shizuka are okay. Just in case you know?"

"That sounds like a good plan." Atem nodded, "We should get going. I'm sure Kaiba will take off without us if we're not quick"

"Nah he'd never-" Jou paused before nodding rapidly and running forward towards the airport, "He'd DEFINITELY do it! Come on guys, we gotta hurry!!"

Atem chuckled watching Jounouchi hurry off ahead of him. In a way, he was glad they were coming with him. Truth be told, he was concerned about handling things on his own. Not that he couldn't accomplish it but rather that he was worried what might happen to the others while he was away. As his mind continued to wander again what snapped him back to reality was feeling a hand slip into his. He looked down at Yugi who was smiling up at him.

"Thank you." Atem blurted out as Yugi chuckled.

"You don't have to thank me for holding your hand Atem..." Yugi said as Atem shook his head.

"For being there...always by my side... Thank you, Partner." Atem smiled as Yugi faintly blushed before nodding.

"Let's go." Yugi said leading Atem forward slightly, "I really do think Kaiba might take off without us if we're late!"

"Yea I really wasn't kidding on that part..." Atem nodded as the deciding to walk very fast after Jounouchi.

Chapter 13 end.