The frigid temperatures sent a thrilling shiver down Yugi's spine, causing him to roll over in bed and grip the sheets just a bit tighter. He released a slight groan, shutting his eyes with more intensity, praying that somehow school would be canceled for the day.

"YUGI!" A choked voice hollered from down the stairs.

Yugi moaned in annoyance, pulling the sheets over his head in mental agony.

"YUGI YOU HAVE ALREADY OVER SLEPT, COME ON IT'S TIME FOR SCHOOL!"

Sucking his teeth, the young boy finally rolled off the comforting bed and dragged himself downstairs to join his grandpa for a cup of coffee.

"Good morning, Yugi," the old man greeted graciously. "How are you?"

Using his arms to prop his head up, Yugi's focus dwindled away from the older man and more towards the back of his eyelids. He grumbled a greeting in between.

Solomon's face grew weary at his remark and tensed at his grandson's behavior.

"Yugi…" he pouted while placing a hand on the teen's slumped shoulder. "Why are you so tired all of the time? I worry about you."

Making as much of an effort as possible, the boy raised his head slightly with tired eyes to meet his grandfather's gaze.

"I can't sleep at night, Grandpa," he admits with a yawn.

"Is it that nightmare again?"

Yugi nodded slowly and rested his head once more.

It had been two weeks since the Ceremonial Duel. Yugi had lost one of the most important people in his life. He swore to himself he was going to be okay. Yami had done everything he could to make him into the confident person that he was beginning to become. They told each other everything. Protected one another with their lives. Nothing was left a secret. Nothing except for one thing…

How much Yugi really loved him.

They knew they needed each other for a while, and once they finally completed their mission, Yami had to leave. He knew why he had to, but somehow it still wasn't fair. For a long time, the young boy blamed himself. He cried at night, complaining about how selfish he was for wanting the Pharaoh back. However, as time passed, he cried for new reasons. He sobbed knowing that the Pharaoh would leave him. Didn't he say he would stay with him forever? How long was forever, anyways? As long as until you could free yourself from your captivity? As long as you could break away from your host? Because forever only lasts until you get what you want from the other, right?

Yugi blamed himself more and more each day. He grew hateful of Yami's empty promises. He had depended on them, and now he was alone.

It numbed him throughout the day, but attacked him at night. The hours when he should have been sleeping were the ones that hurt the most. 3 in the morning, freezing nights, darkness and absolute silence was when the memory of Yami liked to peek out. Nothing to soothe the little guy save for a tear stained pillow and window to gaze out, to remind himself that there was something more out there than this life.

"Was it just like the others?" Solomon questioned curiously before taking a sip of his steaming coffee.

"It's always a little different each time," Yugi revealed in tiresome. "Just enough to scare me in a new way every night," he muttered in spite.

Generally it was the same concept with each dream. It was always right at the end of the ceremonial duel. Yugi would win, every time. He hated every bit of it. He despised that every night, he had to see his lover walk away.

Sometimes, the Pharaoh would express his undying love for the young boy, and then continue to leave anyways. Other times, Atem would strut over to Yugi while he was on his knees and tell him how every step of the way he used the kid just because it was the only way out.

"If I could have done it without you, trust me…I would have."

Those were the ones that pained him the most. Those were the ones that caused Yugi to mix up his dreams with actual memories. Often treating the idea of Yami as someone as cruel as the one he experienced in his nightmares, for no matter what Atem could have said after the duel, each time him leaves. In reality, he left. So why would it matter anyways?

"Yugi, why don't you take a shower? It might help wake you up, besides, you're a little smelly."

Words that would have once made him cringe his nose and narrow his eyes in frustration were ones that now didn't even make him shrug his shoulders.

"Maybe later, Gramps."

Solomon didn't respond. His eyes grew wide as he came to the realization that his grandson was in some serious dumps. He only prayed that he would snap out of it soon.

"Tea will be here soon, perhaps you should get ready," the elder mumbled softly, dismissing himself from the table.

The short boy groaned in acceptance and made his way back to his room. He lazily slipped on his school uniform, not even bothering to throw on what was once his favorite jewelry. Yugi ignored brushing his hair in attempt to save time and brush his teeth. His tri-colored hair remained knotted and out of place, but it didn't bother him one bit. The amethyst eyes that once shined were dull and exhausted. Not a bit of it sparked care in the so called "King of Games." He made it downstairs just in time to meet Tea outside.

"Good morning, Yugi!" She smiled brightly.

Yugi envied her optimism. What the boy would do to have some for himself.

"Hi, Tea."

The tall brunette sniffed her nose in disgust.

"Yugi, I hate to tell you such bad news so early in the morning…and know that I'm only saying this because you're my friend, but puhh-lease take a shower next time you go out! You stink."

His only response was a slight shrug.

"I slept in, I suppose."

The young lady's blue eyes widened upon seeing the clear look of exhaustion on the young boys face. She instantly felt guilty for paining him so early in the morning. He had been in a bad mood recently, and what he needed was someone to cheer him up. She would try whatever she could.

"Are you okay, Yugi?" She asked sincerely.

What did that word mean anymore? Numb? Tired? Sick? Lonely?

"Yeah, I'm okay." His large eyes sunk lower to really glare at the ground.

Tea was dying to say something. She suspected that she knew the problem, but was unsure of how to go about it. It wasn't the first time she was put in such a situation, but no matter how hard she tried, nothing had worked. Her eyes wandered around for a few minutes, hoping that something would spark her to talk.

"I take that back," she refuted. "I know you're not okay. Let me try that again, what's bugging you?"

Yugi didn't take the time to look up at her. Matter a fact, he barely heard the words stream from her mouth. His mind was cluttered with thoughts of his loved one. Somewhere in his mind he was trying to convince himself that Yami really did need him. That what he said in those dreams weren't true. But after hearing it over and over and over again, he still wasn't sure.

"Yugi!" Tea jumped in front of her friend and crossed her arms in annoyance.

"I'm your friend and I can't stand to see you sulk like this day after day! You need help! Either accept it from your friends or we can get you to a psychiatrist, but either ways, please talk to me!"

Upon being blocked off, Yugi had to stop walking, slowly raising his head to see Tea before him. He wiggled his nose and yawned.

"Something wrong, Tea?" He asked innocently with his honey sweet voice.

The dancer didn't even know what hit her. She blinked a few times in surprise, but sighed to help cool her down. Did he not hear a word of that? Did he not care?

"Yugi, I know you are upset over the Pharaoh, but maybe we can talk about it…"

There. She lead him on to confess his thoughts, it was the perfect place for him to pick up!

Yugi nodded his head in denial.

"Not now, Tea. Can we continue walking to school, please?"

She wanted nothing more than to be mad at him. It annoyed her to see such a close friend be so depressed all of the time, but she couldn't express her anger. Yugi was just so sweet. Too precious and loveable for this world. It was a shame that such a pure person could be in such a mess. Truly, the world wasn't fair to him.

"Okay…Yugi…" she admitted defeat and marched on. Maybe she couldn't do anything, but Joey definitely can.

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"What's up, Tea?" Joey managed to greet before inhaling a Turkey sandwich in the cafeteria. Tristan sat beside him, pooling spoon after spoon of jello into his mouth.

"I need to talk to you about something," she informed both quietly and seriously.

"Hey, where's Yug?" He shouted over the voices in the cafeteria, eyeing around for his best friend.

Tea smacked her hand on the table before them, causing wide eyes to gaze upon her.

"That's what I need to talk to you about!" She screamed in a whisper.

"I owe the little guy my dessert. He beat me in the quiet game yesterday, the nerves of some people!" Joey spewed in between bites.

"Like you were surprised?" Tristan snickered mockingly.

"Why I oughtta-"

The two were about to get at one of their famous quarrels, but within seconds, a dark and alarming mood dawned over them.

The three looked over to see Yugi sitting down at a table all by himself, only a few yards away. The boy was gazing down at his sandwich, appearing as if he was engaged in a staring contest with it, but never taking a bite.

"Is he okay?" Joey immediately questioned in concern.

"No," Tea answered. "He's been like this all day. Heck, all week! It's driving me insane! He doesn't deserve to be this sad. It's beginning to affect me, I swear," she huffed.

Joey remained quiet for a moment, exchanging glances with Tristan all the while.

"You don't think it's because…?"

"Of the Pharaoh?" Tristan finished his sentence.

Their eyes peered over to their beloved friend, appearing to be only a human shell with no soul.

"Definitely," Tea answered.

Joey stood up from the table, waving his arm, trying to grab his best friend's attention.

"Hey Yug! Bud! Over here!" He hollered.

Slowly, their friend's head lifted up, peering around to see where the voice came from. He was so lost. Recognizing a close one's voice should be automatic, but this time, it was rather a dragged process.

"Yuuuuuuuugiiiiiii!" Joey whistled. Finally the boy caught Joey's eye, lifting his tray and lingering over to join them.

"Sorry, didn't see you guys," he explained quietly, dropping his tray onto the table.

Joey, Tristan and Tea stared at each other with similar thoughts.

Just what the hell were they supposed to do?

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"Bye guys," Yugi waved softly to his friends.

"See yah later, man," Tristan responded.

"Take care of yerself, Yug. Yah know my number if you need me," Joey assured.

The young boy began to walk off, but after a few steps, he stopped and turned around.

"Tea, aren't you coming?"

She had to talk with Tristan and Joey, they needed to come up with a plan. However, hearing his silky, lonely voice call out after her, she wanted nothing more than to join him in their walk. After a few moments of debating the matter, she sighed and spat out an answer.

"I have work today, I'm sorry."

He nodded in acceptance, sulked his shoulders, and continued to move on. If her hearing was right, Tea could have sworn he mumbled "Bye Tea" in the distance.

Once he was out of sight, the three friends turned to each other.

"Did you see that?" The brunette's eyes fumed.

"See what?" Joey asked.

Tea rolled her eyes.

"He looks so depressed. He really misses Yami. What can we do?"

"I don't know, Tea," Tristan admitted. "We all miss the guy, but it's not like we can bring him back. I think we really need to just wait this one out," he offered the idea.

Joey nodded in assent.

"I agree with this guy," he elbowed him. "There's not much we can do besides be there for him. The poor guy shared a body with the Pharaoh, it's got to really hurt to see him go. But the pain will pass, it always does." Joey shoved his hands in his pockets. It was a reminder for his friends, but it was also a reminder for himself. He didn't have the greatest upbringing with his alcoholic and abusive father, and being separated from his sister. Though in the end, it really just made him stronger.

"I guess…" Tea muttered unsatisfied.

"I gotta run home, the amount of homework I have is killing me," Tristan muttered. "I almost wish we were saving the world instead!"

Joey laughed in spite.

"I'm gunna hold you to that," the blonde jabbed. "I better get going myself, you gunna be okay, Tea?"

"Yeah," she faked a smile.

The two guys bid their adieus in headed off in opposite directions. Tea stood there in her lonesome, staring out into the distance, shivering as the wind hit her body.

"But I don't think I can say the same for Yugi."