So, here I am...again. I have now decided to return to my puzzleshipping writing because of two major changes in my life. 1: I am in college, which gives me freedom, and a surprisingly large amount of time to kill. Seriously, this place isn't as bad as I'd thought. 2: I have finally found love. Amazingly, this whole time I've written fanfics, I have never experienced what I've written about so many times. So this first fic of my official return is dedicated to my wonderful boyfriend. I love you Chizdawg89!

Anywho, I'm stuck on campus with absoultely nothing to do, so I wracked my brain for an idea and merely came up with the first couple chapters (with much encouragement from my wonderful boyfriend) and plan on having fun continuing blindly. Hey, that's how "The Broken Road" started!

I do not own Yugioh, but at the very least, I own whatever crappy or not-so-crappy ideas pop into my head.

It arrived at a time he didn't expect. A time he thought would be inconvenient, but he shook it off once the meaning of it hit him. He hadn't glanced at it until he reached the front door to his apartment. Had he looked earlier, he would have either frozen in place, or sprinted forward to revel in his newfound treasure.

Yami Atemu sat at his kitchen table; dim lights made the room seem warm on the cool summer evening. With shaking hands, he slid a finger under the flap of the envelope and proceeded to slide it over, a quiet ripping noise the only sound in his small kitchen. Had the world suddenly paused? He pulled out two pieces of paper with a large gulp of air inward. As he examined them, he noticed they were both completely covered in light pencil. He gazed at the return address one more time, to make sure it wasn't a joke.

Yugi Moto

Yami set the papers down on the table and rubbed his forehead with both hands. It had been nearly seven years since he's last seen Yugi. Highschool. Damn. Before he'd read the name on the envelope, Yami had sworn time had flown. Now that he knew he'd gone all that time without seeing Yugi, he realized how much time dragged. How big that gap was.

Time had sent Yugi to college, and Yami to the northern part of Japan to work for Kaiba Corps' new location. He and Yugi had gone to highschool together, meeting on the first day. As friends, they began and, as friends, they graduated. They weren't what one would call close friends. One or two classes together each year and no time outside of school would not make a friendship all that close, but when they were in school, they were inseparable. Before graduation, each boy knew he would have to break the cycle (or lack thereof) of not having contact outside of school.

At the time of graduation, Yugi had gained more friends, as well as a girlfriend, Anzu. Atemu assumed he would stay in touch with his friend through the others. For some reason, this was not meant to be. Only small news of Yugi reached him. A mere trickle from an old friend on the streets of Domino during a routine visit at Christmastime or summer trip.

Seven years of no letters, e-mails, or phone calls. Yet, in this moment, all teenage emotions came hutling back at Yami. Fear that something was wrong, surprise, gratefulness all didn't cover it. First and foremost, the emotion that stung at him most was love.

He identified it right away as the pain in his stomach as he touched the letter again. He frowned. What the hell was that? He'd never felt for the boy before, but now...he suddenly felt like singing. As if his saving grace had finally reached him to take him to the once place he belonged.

The sparse news of Yugi was merely routine, mundane things one would hear of an old friend. "He liked college a lot." "Working at home for I2." "Doing well." "Living close to his grandpa I think." Each time, something tugged at Yami. The exact opposite of this love he felt. It prevented Yami from inquiring further on Yugi's whereabouts. He wanted to leave Yugi space for a reason he never discovered. Space for what? He hadn't known and still didn't know.

Yami took one more look at his apartment. One more look at what he'd built over the years for himself. Everything that was of the present. A small, quaint three room apartment with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. He lived a quiet existence outside of work. His personal life never mingled with his life at work. He scoffed. There was his answer to why he'd never made an effort. He had a habit of separating aspects of his life. Was that a bad thing? Yami figured it didn't matter at the moment. He was extremely successful working for the Seto Kaiba himself. He wasn't one to take advantage of being the CEO's cousin to make his life easier. His main goal was to kick some ass and make money. That's exactly what he did. When he and Yugi had been friends in highschool, he'd never imaginged that he would change into a zealous businessman.

Yami looked up. He wondered what else had changed in him...

He knew, once he began to read, that he would be taken back in time, while still carried by this sudden love for his old friend. God, he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. The mystery of wherever the fuck this new, never-felt-before emotion was going to eat him alive.

His mind jumped from one issue to another. Fuck it all, he wanted to read the damn letter. He unjumbled his mind long enough to read the carefully written words.

Dear Yami,

I don't know if you remember me... But it's me, Yugi. From highschool? If you don't remember me, that's alright. I understand. It's my fault for not making the effort to contact you more. If you do remember me, then the same applies. Believe me, I feel really guilty for not writing sooner. I guess I wanted to leave you space. I know what you are now, and I thought that I would hold you back...

But why the fuck am I saying this? You're probably wondering why this dumbass is writing to you seven years after highschool graduation. I actually want to ask you a favor. Well, it's not so much of a favor as much as it's an invitation. I understand that this national park is close to you and I am planning on visiting it soon. I was hoping that you would come with me. If you don't want to, that's alright. I understand. I wouldn't want to spend time with someone who has ignored me for seven years. Who would be dumb enough to be with someone who doesn't even bother to talk once in a while.

I am going to Sakura National Park on Saturday the 28th. If you want to come, you can call me. My number is on the back of this letter. But again, you don't have to if you don't want to. I don't want you to miss an important meeting for me. The last thing I want to do is screw up the settup you have for yourself. I just figure we could do some catching up... Apparently we have a lot of that to do due to my carelessness.

In case you were wondering, Anzu and I are through. We have been. Not that you probably care. But if you want to have more questions answered, then you can ask me at the park. Don't worry if you can't, I just wanted to give you a real reason for coming.

I think I'm babbling at this point, so I'll leave it at that. I hope to see you soon. I really do. Think about it.

Your friend,

Yugi

Yami ran a hand through his hair. The fear creeped up again and mixed with the love. The Yugi he remembered would never be so passive and unwilling. He only remembered his friend as a happy-go-lucky boy with high hopes for his future. Yami bit his lip. What was going on?

He reached for the phone. This was going to be a long, sleepless night.

Yay, chapter 1 is done! At this point, I'm just typing for the heck of it, and to develop my writing skills again. This will be fun figuring out what will happen. We'll all find out together. Just another fun story to work on. Lemme know what you think. R&R as usual. It feels great to be back. Thanks again chizdawg89! I love you!