I am not usually one to procrastinate, but I have really dragged myself out over this chapter. For some reason, I hated everything I had written. It just refused to be how I wanted it! I still don't feel entirely happy with it but I don't think I can make it any better, so her it is - the final chapter. Hope you enjoy.

Dance With The Devil.

Chapter 23 – Epilogue.

Atem ended up staying in Saudi Arabia for two days.

Since it was in his best interest to do so, he signed the documents giving him ownership of the property in London.

He had accepted the apology, but knew he would never be able to truly forgive his stepfather for allowing him to be taken from his real family. And since Kamil Ishtar was already dead, there was nothing to be gained by pursuing a criminal investigation. His stepfather might be seen a crime lord in most countries, but was also viewed as a useful ally to have when it came to business deals in the Middle East. And in his own country he was considered an upstanding member of society and a successful businessman. Aknam Sennen had friends in high places and Atem doubted he would be allowed to leave Saudi Arabia alive if he were to make any official accusations against him.

The old man was dying anyway! So, the last thing Atem wished for was to be beheaded and left in the desert to rot! He could not even begin to imagine what him dying 'again' would do to the Mutou family.

He also felt a sense of loyalty to his adoptive mother. She was innocent of any wrongdoing and had always believed that her husband had rescued Atem from a miserable life of poverty. She had taken Atem into her arms and loved him as though he were her own child. He had to admit that he loved her too. She might not have given birth to him but she was still his mother. She had nurtured him and had taught him to be a good man who cared about others, and who always tried to do what he thought was right.

While his relationship with his stepfather would always be strained, he enjoyed a good relationship with his adoptive mother. He also got along well with his stepfather's other children. He certainly did not want to hurt any of them.

::::::::::::

When he returned home, he was keen to put it all behind him and make arrangements to go to Japan.

Yugi had deferred his original flight home, but when he contacted the airline to re-arrange his flight, and add Atem to the booking, he discovered that his ticket was now invalid. The customer services representative told him that she could book seats for him and his fellow traveller, but that he would have to pay the full price for both tickers. It was an annoying expense that he could not really afford.

"I will pay for our tickets," Atem offered, without hesitation. Yugi wanted to protest but Atem was insistent. He was a wealthy property owner and businessman and could easily afford it.

With their flights confirmed, Yugi was back to worrying about leaving Anzu on her own.

Anzu tried her best to convince him to stop worrying. "It will only be for a few days Yugi! My parents are hoping to come and visit me." So far, work commitments had been preventing them from seeing their daughter dance in her first major role. When they heard about her kidnapping it had been traumatic for them, and they had been upset that they could not be there for her.

After speaking with them again, Anzu was delighted to hear that both her parents employers had agreed to allow them some extra leave. They were going to sort out their flights today, and would be able to stay with her until the ballet company left London for their world tour, one month from now.

"Everything is working out so well at last!" Anzu hugged Yugi joyously at the news.

He had to agree. Knowing her parents would be here with her was a big load off his mind.

Anzu released him and checked the time. "I should get ready to leave for tonight's show."

"I will order you a taxi." He was still not ready to let her travel on the underground by herself and felt that a taxi was a safer option.

Anzu had welcomed his care and attention at first, but she was getting starting to get her confidence back now and his unwillingness to allow her to travel, go for a jog, or even to the shops on her own, was getting claustrophobic. "Going by taxi everyday is a waste of money Yugi! I am quite capable of taking the train."

The pair rarely argued but there was a definite air of tension surronding them and Atem tried not to get involved. Eventually, he got fed up with their bickering and made the suggestion that he would drive her there if she wished.

"I have already ordered the taxi!" Yugi stated.

"I wish you would both stop mollycoddling me and let me make my own decision on how I will get there!" She raised her voice enough to shut them both up.

They looked at each other sheepishly and then back at Anzu. "I'm sorry," Yugi said. "I'm just worried that something might happen to you."

Anzu's expression softened. "I know," she sighed. "I'm sorry for shouting, but I can't hide from the world and worry that another Bakura is lurking around every corner." They heard a toot toot from outside, indicating that the taxi had arrived. Anzu picked up her bag and opened the door to leave. "I will go by taxi today. But next time I am going on the underground – on my own!"

Yugi grinned innocently and kissed her goodbye. At least he had got his own way this time.

Standing on the balcony, he watched as she stomped down the steps to the waiting taxi.

The driver got out and opened the door for her, and as she got in she looked up at Yugi with a smile and a wave to show there were no hard feelings.

Atem came up beside him and clamped him on the shoulder. "I know you worry about her after what happened. But you have to give her the freedom to re-discover her confidence on her own."

Yugi sighed. "I know I'm being overprotective, but I can't help it."

"You care about her. It's only natural that you should want to protect her. But you are smothering her a little."

Yugi nodded his head slowly. "As her husband it is my duty to look after her. But I am a failure. I guess I'm trying to make up for it."

"You are not a failure," Atem responded gently. "Why do you think you are?"

Yugi's voice sounded heavy with guilt, as he spoke. "I ran into the water with no idea how I was going to cut the ropes holding her. I should have found a knife or something, but when I saw her tied to the post I panicked and didn't think! As a result, you were forced to help. I caused you to nearly drown."

Atem grabbed Yugi's shoulders and gently pulled him round so that they were facing. "Do not blame yourself! I would have done exactly the same as you. It was only when you shouted at me that you needed a knife, that I remembered I had taken Bakura's Swiss Army Knife away from him to stop him from using it. If I had gone straight into the water with the knife still in my pocket, my hands would have been too cold to pull the blade out."

Yugi was reflective for a moment. "I can't even remember if I thanked you. I am so grateful for the way you refused to give up until the ropes were cut and Anzu was free. I didn't even stop to make sure you were swimming back to shore with us. I feel terrible about it."

"You did what you were supposed to do and saved Anzu. It was my fault I got myself into trouble. I was not prepared for the cold water shock."

"Even so..."

"What could you have done?" Atem challenged.

Yugi gave him an incredulous look. "Saved both of you!"

Atem just laughed. "Then all three of us might have drowned."

Yugi looked pensive. "Don't joke about it!"

"I'm not. I just want you to see that you did nothing wrong. I dragged you and Anzu into my problems in the first place and I take full responsibility. But we can't go back and undo all the crap that has happened, so we just have to move on and look forward to our future." He gave Yugi a warm but slightly sad smile.

Yugi smiled back at him and nodded. "Yeah, you're right." The two of them stood and watched the people scurrying about below. After a while, the late afternoon sun started to dip behind one of the other buildings, causing the temperature to suddenly drop.

In just a thin shirt, Yugi shivered. "It's getting cold and I'm starving. Shall we get something to eat?"

At the mention of food, Atem felt his tummy rumble. "Do you fancy a burger and a beer?"

Yugi never said no to a burger. "You bet I do!" He grinned. "And we could play some games afterwards!"

"Now you're talking!" Atem grinned and hi-fived him.

::::::::::::

The morning had arrived for them to leave. Yugi closed his suitcase and stood up. "Whelp! That's me packed." He turned around to face Anzu, who was sitting on the corner of the bed watching him pack.

He held his hand out to her and she stood up to entwine her fingers with his.

Stepping in closer to him, she kissed him. "I'm going to miss you. I wish you didn't have to go."

"But you will have your parents!"

Anzu smiled. Indeed, she would, but she would still miss Yugi. "I'm excited about them coming to stay. But who am I going to cuddle up to at night?"

He placed his hands on her waist and kissed her lips softly. "I will send you a virtual hug every night."

"But it's not the same," she pouted, running her fingers through his hair and trying to flatten his spikes. "I will miss being woken up by your hair poking me in the face!" She giggled when his stubborn hair refused to stay flattened.

He looked rather alarmed at that. "It doesn't wake you! Does it?!"

"No, not really," she kissed the end of his nose. "I'm only teasing. I hope you can come and see me in Europe. We won't get much time off and it will be four months before the tour makes it to Japan."

"I have always wanted to visit Rome. I could try and see you there?"

Anzu nodded. "Promise you will definitely come?"

"Promise." He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

Anzu wrapped her arms around his shoulders and they kissed. It was not long before the kiss grew more passionate.

There was a knock on the door and it opened. "Are you ready Yugi?" Atem stepped into the room. "Mai's here and.. Oops!" The pair jumped apart as if they had been electrocuted. "Not disturbing anything am I?" Atem smirked.

"No!" Yugi almost squeaked.

Atem tried not to laugh at them for being so embarrassed over being caught kissing. "Mai is early because the traffic is worse than usual this morning."

"Oh, okay! Well, I'm ready to go." Face slightly flushed, he picked up his bags and followed his brother out to where Mai was waiting.

Despite the traffic, they made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare. After checking in, they went to get coffee while they waited for their flight information to come up on the screen.

As soon as it appeared, they headed to passport control to say their goodbyes.

"Make sure you keep him out of trouble kiddo!" Mai gave Yugi a quick peck on the cheek and then she turned to Atem. Her mind was willing her to embrace him, give him a kiss and tell him how much she would miss him. She longed for him to wrap his strong arms around her and tell her he loved her. Pha!What is wrong with me? Silly school girl fantasy. And anyway, this was an airport and romantic stuff like that was not her style.

She could have kicked herself when she lightly punched him on the shoulder and ordered him to behave himself while he was away!

"Me?! Atem smirked innocently. "You know I always do!"

"Yeah, well Yugi's going to report back to me, aren't you Yugi?" She winked at him.

Yugi looked awkward. "Erm.. if you like..."

"Maybe Atem will keep in touch with you Mai?" Anzu looked at Atem expectantly. "I'm sure you will have plenty of things you wish to say to each other." Like kiss already!

"Yeah," Atem smiled. "I will do that." He leaned in and kissed Mai on the cheek. "Take care Mai."

In return, Mai politely kissed him on the cheek. "I will. See you when you get back."

Meanwhile, Yugi and Anzu held each other tightly, vowing to meet up again in Italy.

Atem placed his hand on Yugi's shoulder. "Hey! We should go. They are calling our flight."

Yugi nodded and stepped away from Anzu but refused to let go of her hands. "I love you," he whispered intimately.

"I love you Yugi," Anzu reluctantly let go of his hands and watched as he walked through passport control and into the departure lounge.

Just as Atem turned to leave, Mai grabbed his arm. "Maybe we can hook up and go out together when you get back! Wha'da'ya say?" She winked.

Atem was taken aback but smiled. "Yes, I would like that." He gave a small nod of the head and hurried after Yugi.

Mai turned to Anzu who had tears in her eyes, but was smiling. "I really stuffed that up. didn't I?!" She huffed. "Come on hun. Let's go."

"Oh, I don't know! Atem has had a lot on his mind lately. But I do know he likes you. He's just not sure how you feel about him."

"Yeah, that's me! Not big on the feels. I do hope it all goes well for him in Japan though."

Anzu smiled back at her reassuringly. "Yugi's family are really nice. I know it will."

:::::::::::

Atem and Yugi boarded the aircraft and made their way along thee aisle to their seats. Atem asked Yugi if it was okay if he had the window seat. Yugi didn't mind. Atem sat down and buckled up his seat-belt and gazed out of the portal at the grey sky and drizzle. Mai had been behaving a bit weird when they said goodbye. Did that mean she liked him a bit more than just a friend with benefits? His mind was a bit of a muddle right now and he was unsure if he was quite ready for a more permanent relationship.

As the plane prepared for take off, he settled into his seat for the long journey ahead and tried to relax.

He and Yugi chatted, ate their meal and got halfway through the onboard movie before falling asleep. A little under eleven and a half hours later, they awoke to find they were approaching the coast of Japan. Below him, Atem could see the bright lights and sky scrapers of Tokyo. He was starting to feel really excited, but also rather anxious. Although he thought he was hiding it well, Yugi still seemed to notice.

"Are you alright?" He enquired, more than once. To which Atem kept replying that he was. He preferred to keep his inner turmoil to himself:

What would his real mother think of him when she saw him? Would she throw her arms around him and smother him in motherly kisses? Or would she bow politely while scrutinising him, and come to the conclusion that he was a disappointment?

He didn't know how he should react when he saw her either. Yugi had told him to just act normally.

But he had no idea what 'normally' meant. Should he bow? Should he call her Mum, Mother, or Mrs Mutou? Would hugging her be too forward? He had no idea and he felt that his questions were too stupid to ask Yugi.

He did think that maybe everyone would feel a bit awkward at first – after so many years of being separated, that was to be expected.

But it would work out just fine.

The End.

Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story.

Just to let you know, I have been working on two more new stories. One will take place after DSOD and will feature what might happen when Kaiba meets Atem - nothing romantic I should add. Pride is a pairing I dislike. The other story is a comedy, which will feature the whole gang and be based somewhere between Duelist Kingdom and Battle City.