Hello, those who survived the apocalypse! Here is my new story that should have been out a lot longer ago. But, this story was a pain in the butt, and my muse hated me. This is the 4th re-write of this story, and I think I've finally gotten it how I like it. I'm sorry it took so long.

Sage: Shut up and get to the story. Nobody cared about your excuses.

Yeah, I suppose you're right. I don't own Yugioh.

Warnings: Language, some AU and OOCness.

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Yami had felt the dark presence within the confines of the Millennium Puzzle for a few days now. He had done his best to try and locate where it was coming from; it was beginning to fill up his soul room, tainting it, and he could feel the effects. He felt tired and fatigued, and on more than one occasion within the past week, he'd lost his temper and had yelled at Yugi for only asking what was wrong.

Truthfully, he didn't want Yugi to know about the evil he had been feeling. He wasn't even sure if there even was an evil to worry about. He'd been known to get paranoid often (as Yugi had often told him), and he didn't want to get Yugi upset or worried about something unless he was certain it existed. There was no point in getting Yugi worried over nothing, especially with everything they had just gone through. Yugi shouldn't have to worry about the safety of the World and its inhabitants when all his classmates had to worry about were their midterm grades. It was all too much pressure to put on a person who still, in the eyes of society, was a child, even if Yami knew better.

Yami sighed and placed a hand against the stone wall. He could feel the evil presence radiating through the cracks. It was cold and cruel and it sent a shudder down Yami's spine. He wasn't sure how something could infiltrate the confines of his own mind—even he hadn't been able to do that, to dive deep enough into his own subconscious to find out his name, to retrieve the memories from his past life. He hadn't been able to find that single door that was somewhere in this mess of a labyrinth that would give him all the answers he had been searching for, for so long. The door that would show him the person he used to be. This room was the manifestation of his own mind and soul, and he had not been able to solve its riddle. Therefore, why would a stranger be able to do so? Even Shadi hadn't been able to find it.

So the only logical explanation Yami had been able to conclude was that this presence had always been inside the puzzle, and only chose now to make its presence known. Still, Yami was perplexed (and somewhat aggravated) that he hadn't been able to detect this evil earlier. He had no idea what he was up against, and he knew he needed to know his opponent. The puzzle housed Yugi's soul too, and Yami intended to do whatever it took to protect him.

Ra knows he hadn't done a very good job of it lately.

Despite his better judgment, he couldn't help but reminisce in the memories of his latest and largest error during the time he'd known Yugi. Yugi had begged him not to play that damned card, and Yami had said he wouldn't. Then, not even five minutes later, he went back on his word and played the card and from there on his fate had been sealed.

Yami still couldn't understand why Yugi had taken his place as the sacrifice for the seal, and he wasn't sure if he would ever understand. He deserved to have his soul taken, not Yugi. But, his partner was an enigma and an odd one at that. Yami didn't try to understand the motives behind Yugi's every action, because he knew that Yugi always meant well, and he would never do anything to hurt anyone. He didn't deserve Yugi's forgiveness, and he certainly didn't deserve his friendship

But for some unknown reason, Yugi decided that he did deserve it. . It was only by Yugi's grace that Yami had learned of these priceless virtues. So be it. Yami wasn't complaining in the least. Yugi was his best friend, his partner. And Yami himself was selfish. He wanted Yugi's friendship, he needed Yugi's friendship. It was the only thing that kept him sane and the only reason he continued to let his existence continue. Yugi was his whole reason for existence.

And therefore, Yami would do whatever was necessary to protect him, and was why he had to find this new evil, and find it fast. In the past, his enemies had never hesitated to use Yugi against him, whether they put them through immense pain, or held him hostage; they made sure they had the leverage. Which is why Yami had to find it and destroy it before it got the chance to put him at that disadvantage.

He walked down the hallway, his footsteps bouncing off the golden walls and echoing through his entire soul room. He sensed the evil growing stronger, and he knew that he was getting closer.

Suddenly, Yami felt something stir in the very back of his mind. He froze at once, recognizing that presence, that small tug. He forced himself to relax, and sent the serenity down the mind link, hoping to put Yugi at ease and help him back to sleep. It didn't seem to work however, because the tugging Yami had felt had only gotten stronger.

Yami didn't want to get Yugi involved, especially since he hadn't been that kind to him during these last few days. This evil had touched a nerve within him. Yami found himself being not being as patient as usual, and he had no reason to snap at Yugi as he had done recently. He had to find this evil and destroy it, before he lost control of his emotions, before he allowed his anger to drown out everything else.

Before he did something he would regret. Again.

/Yami…/ The thought came in groggy, but coherent. /Are you okay?/

Typical Yugi. He was only concerned for Yami. Yami wondered, had he allowed his distress to travel over to Yugi? He wasn't sure. But, he had to keep Yugi safe. /I'm fine, aibou./ He did his best to assure. /Go back to sleep./ To emphasize his point, he sent a soothing touch over the mind link, hoping he could lull Yugi back into his slumber.

There was a pause. /You don't have to lie to me, you know./

Yami bit on his lip. Yugi wasn't stupid or gullible, and Yami knew that, and he had no idea why he tried to fool Yugi, but he would do whatever it took to keep Yugi safe, even if that meant blindly lying to him. It was the lesser of two evils.

/Yami…what's wrong?/

Yami sighed, knowing there was no way he could get out of this now. Yugi was more awake now, and Yami could hear the stubborn tone even through his mind's voice. Once Yugi had his mind set on something, there was no talking him out of it. /I sense an evil within the puzzle./

At once, he felt Yugi becoming more alert and worried.

Before Yugi could say anything, Yami continued, /I do not know where it is coming from exactly. I'm trying to follow and find it./

/I'll be right there./

/No!/ Yami exclaimed, a little too quickly. /It is not safe./

/Since when has anything you and I've done been safe?/ Yugi argued, before Yami felt his mental presence disappear. Yami sighed. Yugi was right, though. Nothing in his life had been safe since they met. But that didn't mean he had to blatantly put himself in danger. He felt Yugi standing behind him immediately. He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to turn around, not wanting to face his partner. He didn't want to see the worry that would surely be in his eyes, or hear whatever advice Yugi may have to give.

It wouldn't matter. There was still an evil here and it had to be exterminated at once, before it got its chance to do harm. And Yami couldn't help but be aware of the fact that ever moment spent standing there, with his back turned, was a moment wasted; a moment he could have used to track the evil and get rid of it.

But Yugi's presence loomed over him, sending a cold chill down his spine, and he didn't know why he was suddenly afraid of his own soul partner, but he knew that Yugi was there and he didn't want him there. Then the epitome hit Yami, and he knew he couldn't stand there forever ignoring him. He could feel Yugi's concerned and it was strong and warm; Yami didn't know that concern could be warm but Yugi's was. And his silence wasn't helping. He was worrying Yugi, and scaring him, which is the last thing he ever wanted to do.

So, he would be strong, and he would turn around, and he would look Yugi in the eye and then what happened from there, happened.

He turned around.

He was surprised to see the tender look in Yugi's eyes, but then Yami wondered, what had he been expecting? Anger? Judgment?

….Hatred?

He remembered the Yugi he dueled in the Valley of Death, the Yugi that looked at him with such anger, such hate, such malice. Disgust. And then there was the way he looked at the evil card he had drawn, how he had looked at it so lustfully.

Maybe that was what he was afraid of. He was afraid of the Yugi in Death Valley being a part of the Yugi who was standing in front of him.

"Is everything okay?" Yugi said, breaking the silence. Yami blinked, wondering how long they had actually been standing there. It didn't seem like that long, but time flowed differently in the puzzle. It could have been a few minutes, or an entire hour. He wasn't sure. But, he knew that Yugi was here now, and he wanted to talk, and so Yami was going to have to talk.

When Yami still didn't answer, Yugi stepped in again. "How long have you been feeling this?"

Yami bit his lip. "A few days." He admitted.

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I did not want to worry you. This evil…is inside the puzzle, and I suspect it's been here for some time. I wanted to see if I could seek it out on my own."

"You didn't want my help?"

"I want to keep you safe."

"Yami," Yugi began in a tone that resembled that of a mother chastising her misbehaved child, "I want to help. I need to help. We don't know what this new evil wants, but whatever it is my safety should not outweigh it. Whatever this is, we'll find it and fight it together, okay?" Yugi offered a smile to his partner.

"Yes." Yami found himself agreeing. He and Yugi were partners. They had fought together, side by side, for the good of the entire world. Yugi had proved himself capable and strong time and time again, but Yami still was hesitant about ever putting Yugi on the front lines of any battle. Yugi was so small and innocent, and easily hurt, despite his fierce determination that burned in his eyes. Yami had seen him too many times to trust in the common man. He wanted to do nothing more than to whatever it took to keep Yugi safe.

But, Yugi wanted to help, and Yami would not deny him that. Who was he to make such a decision anyway? He owed his very soul to Yugi, and after certain events, Yami knew he was in no position to be making demands. Yugi could help, but Yami would still keep a very close eye on him.

Because Yami couldn't help but think that this evil was unlike any evil they had ever faced before. This evil was different….Yami didn't know what it wanted, what its intentions were, but he would make sure that Yugi stayed safe. Maybe he could do right this time.

"Where do we start?" Yugi said. "I suppose it would make more sense if we spilt up. We can cover more ground that way."

Yami's first instinct screamed, Hell no, would he let Yugi search on his own. But then, he realized, after everything he'd done to Yugi in the past years, Yugi deserved to be trusted on his own. Yugi was strong and independent, and Yami trusted he could take care of himself.

Still, didn't like the idea. Who knows what could happen? But he would agree to it, just so for once he could treat Yugi as strong as he was. Sure, he trusted Yugi. But it wasn't Yugi who was the problem. It was everyone else. How could he trust something he'd never even met? Something that made the hairs on his arm stick up in warning?

"You can search that way." Yami said, pointing in the direction behind him. "And I'll go this way. If we don't find anything in the next half hour, we'll meet up here."

"Okay." Yugi said, and then he turned around and started to run.

"Wait, Yugi." Yami called out, but it was too late. Yugi was too far away and his voice was lost inside the labyrinth. "Be careful.

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He couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. Everything was going as planned. Now that spirit had included his little brat into the search, his plan could finally be set in motion.

The boy was an interesting specimen, indeed. A soul as powerful as his was not a common occurrence. It would be enough to give him all the power he needed to exact his revenge on the spirit.

He couldn't believe the spirit had been foolish enough to let the boy wander on his own. Here he thought he cared for the boy's safety. Not that he was complaining, though. This only made his job easier. Without the spirit breathing down the boy's neck, the boy would make stupid, rash mistakes, that would in turn make him putty in his hands.

He clenched his fists, anger running through his veins. He couldn't believe this was happening. He couldn't believe what happened. But, he had made a promise years and years ago, and he was, if anything, a man who kept his word.

No matter whom it was too.

Nonetheless, he had waited far too long already to commence his plan. And while the longer he waited, the longer the spirit would feel his presence, and thus the more worried he would become, the figure had little patience to wait much further.

Feeling a devious grin being born onto his face, the figure stepped out from his hiding spot, exiting the room that had been his sanctuary ever since the completion of the puzzle.

He turned his head to the right, hearing the scuffling of light feet. The figure smiled.

Everything was going better than planned.

"Father," the figure whispered, a touch of bitterness entering his voice. "Father, I'm sorry I failed you. But I promise, I'll make things right. I'll make you proud, Father. I promise."

And if there was one this figure was especially good at, it was keeping promises.

No matter how old they were.

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This story's going to be REALLY short. A lot shorter than I first anticipated. But, I think it's going to be ten times better than originally planned too. Hopefully quality over quantity applies in this situation.

Please review?