Chapter 1: Yami no Game...
DISCLAIMER: I don't own it...
This is my first serious fic... Feel free to hit me if I start getting way out of character or anything.
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"Yugi-kun!" Ryou called, racing towards the tri-color haired boy.
Yugi paused, waiting for Ryou to catch up.
"Hey Ryou! I was wondering where you were." Yugi said. "You still all right for this afternoon?"
Ryou nodded, catching his breath. He and Yugi had started to make a point of doing their homework together after school. Ryou enjoyed spending the time with Yugi, and away from Bakura.
"Yugi, is it ok if Malik comes as well?" The white haired boy asked softly.
Yugi looked doubtful. "Uhhh... I guess. So long as he doesn't start arguing with Yami or anything."
"Arigato Yugi-kun!" Ryou said happily, and turned to motion to Malik, who was standing a distance away.
"Are you sure it's all right, Yugi?" Malik asked.
"I suppose, but you're not going to try and hurt Yami, are you?"
"Yugi!" Ryou said, looking shocked, "Malik-kun wouldn't... I wouldn't have asked if..."
Malik smiled slightly. "It's ok Ryou, I understand. Yugi, I realized that a lot of the stuff I blamed on you and your yami, wasn't actually your fault. G..gomen."
Yugi studied the taller boy for a moment, then nodded happily. "Come on! Yami'll be wondering where we are if we don't start off soon!"
The tension drained away with that, and the trio headed off, talking more relaxed now.
"So Hikari..." A voice purred from the shadows behind a dumpster, as it watched them walking off. "You think you are safe with your..." The voice dropped a few octaves. "...friends. We'll see about that..."
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Yami yawned and stretched lazily. It was about time for Yugi to arrive home, he noted. That was a good thing, as Yami found his days becoming increasingly boring. Yugi wouldn't let him tag along to school, that would mean enrolling, his aibou had said, and it would rapidly become evident that Yami didn't have a clue about many school subjects. Yugi's grandfather had suggested that Yami help out in the store during the day, but that sounded too much like work, and Pharaohs didn't work. Even when reminded that he was no longer a Pharaoh, old habits died hard.
So Yami was bored.
'Perhaps I will ask Yugi about this 'internet' thing. I've often seen him playing games with people on it.' The spirit thought, then glanced at the clock.
Yugi was late.
Yami reasoned with himself that Yugi may have been distracted at school, or had to get something. Perhaps he was talking with a friend outside. A glance out the window confirmed that Yugi wasn't anywhere in sight.
Still, Yugi would be annoyed if Yami mentally contacted him and he was busy. Ten minutes then.
Well, five more wouldn't hurt.
He wasn't back yet. Yami could even hear Yugi's grandfather downstairs muttering to himself and looking outside.
//Aibou?// Yami hesitantly called, dropping the light barrier he kept up to give Yugi some privacy.
Nothing.
//Aibou?!// Yami called, frantic this time, but to no avail.
Downstairs, Yami heard the door open, and after a murmured conversation between Yugi's grandfather and the guest, he heard someone ascend the steps.
"Pharaoh..." A soft voice said. Soft like silk around a dagger.
Yami turned to face Marik. The other lounging in the doorway, cradling his Sennen item against his arm.
"What have you done to Yugi." Yami said. The appearance of Marik after his omote disappeared was too much of a coincidence to ignore. A flicker of movement behind Yami no Malik, and Bakura was leaning nonchalantly against the wall. He grinned, displaying his fang-like incisors at Yami.
"We just sent him on a little trip." Bakura said, smirking a little. "Don't worry, he's not alone."
Yami tried to puzzle out what this meant, but Marik interrupted him.
"It's time to decide Pharaoh. All our omotes are in the Shadow realm. After all, a Yami no Game requires all parties to submit to the same ruling." Marik paused to smile and arch his back when Bakura trailed his fingers along his spine.
"If you lose, your hikari, your omote, is consumed by the darkness, and you die." Bakura continued, slipping an arm around Marik's waist.
"And if I win?" Yami said, making no effort to hide his annoyance at their 'play'.
"Our omotes will suffer the same fate..."
"And if I refuse your game?"
Marik smirked. "We all lose. Exciting, isn't it? Well?"
Yami scowled as dark as his name.
"I have no choice. I accept."
----------------Ack. This was harder than normal, I knew what I wanted to do, but it was hard to GET there. I need some coke....
Misto: I think it's a good start.
Review, onegai?