A/N: Lalala~! I decided to do a short story in the meantime as I write my Naruto story! And since I'm such a Yu-gi-oh fanatic (not to confuse with GX or 5d's as I don't like them all that much) I decided, 'hey, why not pass the time by doing a little puzzleshipping!' And here I am!
This is my… Oh hell, no it's not. But it IS my first one-shot yaoi for Yu-gi-oh so be gentle on the criticism, kay?
I do not own Yu-gi-oh! If I did, there wouldn't be GX or 5d's and Yami would have stayed with Yugi and the gang and confessed his undying love for his sweet aibou!
I'll always be there for you
Yugi Mutou was truly glad that the ordeal was over. After all the mind games, shadow games, card games, and any other games that the group had to endure, it was nice to just enjoy the act of playing when one felt like it and not because it was necessary to survival. The Millennium Items were forever gone, and Zorc, the ultimate evil, had perished. Not only that, but all darkness that had been imprisoned into Ryou, Malik, and whoever else was gone. Well, not really gone, but at least they weren't inside the young men. And Yugi himself went through the feeling.
It was… Nostalgic to say the least.
When Yugi had asked Ryou and Malik what it felt like to be released from that kind of turmoil, how it was to know that you and only you was in your own body, they said it felt relieving. Malik had said that, "It felt like I could actually breathe for the first time in my life. To know that I was me and he was him, it was reassuring in a way." Yugi didn't really understand, considering that he wasn't in that part of his life just yet.
The talk with Ryou went much better however. He still recalled the conversation from long ago.
Ryou was released from Bakura one month ago after the ordeal in the museum where Bakura lured Yami. Yugi had called Ryou to meet him in the nearby park close to the Game Shop, saying that it wasn't urgent, but still necessary to meet. Upon said arrival, Yugi noticed that Ryou had this clear look to him, as if he had opened his eyes to the world for the very first time.
The white-haired young man smiled at the master duelist, out-stretching a hand in gesture of respect. "Hello again Yugi," he said, voice still polite as ever and soft as the day they had first met. The little teen returned the gesture, taking his hand and shaking in firmly. "Hey Baku- I mean Ryou," he said, sheepishly blushing and a look of apology on his childish face.
Ryou laughed a little and removed his hand from the grasp, waving it nonchalantly. "No worries. I still call myself that from time to time as well. It's… Still a bit difficult to cope with it all," he said looking up at the sky with a small saddened look. Yugi couldn't really understand, seeing as Yami was still a part of him, but nodded in earnest.
Taking a seat at a small table that was placed in the park, Yugi fiddled with his finders for a while, unsure of how to start of the conversation. Ryou had some idea what the reason of this visit was, closing his eyes and sighing quietly. He opened his eyes, casting them downward to study the chess board design imprinted on the table they sat at. Hearing the clearing of a throat, he looked up to see Yugi with an uncertain yet determined face.
"Ryou… I'll just come straight out and ask…" he began, averting his amethyst eyes to anywhere else but the gentleman seated across from him. "What… What's it like… Without… Well…" Yugi began to stumble over his words, earning a chuckle.
Folding his hands together in a calm gesture, Ryou smiled. "Without Bakura?" Yugi nodded modestly. A sigh escaped slightly parted lips as the British-voiced duelist pondered for a moment. "Well… It's… How can I put it? It's invigorating. I feel refreshed… And yet somewhat empty." Yugi looked up in shock at the last of the sentence. How could someone feel empty about having an evil entity like Bakura gone?
As if reading the tri-colored head, Ryou sighed. "I guess I should explain myself. When Bakura left me, it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I felt like I could finally be myself, the real me again. I didn't have to worry about hurting my friends and loved ones anymore. But when the separation began, I felt as if my soul was being ripped into two separate parts, and so I didn't feel whole. I was left with this…unbearably empty feeling in my chest, like someone took away identity. No one knew this, actually, you're the first one to know what I'm about to tell you." He paused to look at Yugi who was waiting patiently. It was now Ryou's turn to fiddle with his fingers, playing with a strand of his whit hair.
"When we parted, I felt like I was left a tattered doll. When you live mostly your whole life with two different people in you, when that person leaves, you can't help but feel sad and empty. Seeing Bakura, in the flesh, right in front of me… I couldn't help but think, "This is the person who's been inside of me. This is who caused me and my friends so much trouble." I didn't know that all the while, I was crying. I wept because it was as though my subconscious knew that part of me left, and wanted it back. I know I should hate him, but the fact of the matter is; he's a part of me, now and forever."
"So for the next few weeks, I walked around emotionless, unfeeling. I didn't know what to do with myself. My mind was scrambled from the extraction process, and body felt so heavy. I was in my room for the most part, not really leaving unless it was necessary. Even though I was a mess and wasn't completely there, I still had enough sense to not let my friends and family see me like… like that."
"I was so far out of it, that I didn't know that I was slowly killing myself." A gasp was heard, causing Ryou to pause and look at Yugi with sad eyes and a smile. Yugi never knew that Ryou was going through so much. "Why didn't you tell us? We're your friends Ryou, that's what we're here for!" Ryou shrugged knowingly. "I know that Yugi, and I thank you all so much. It's good to know I have friends like that. But fact of the matter is that I couldn't face you all, not with the way I was then. It was too unbearable." Yugi sighed, and nodded in understanding as he let his friends continue his story.
"Anyway, after three weeks of lying in bed doing nothing, I heard a knock at my door. I didn't answer, after all, how could I? Due to lack of nutrition it and dehydration that I was putting myself through, I couldn't even form a word. After the knock was heard again and I didn't answer once more, my door was kicked open. When I looked up, my heart literally skipped a beat at who I saw." Yugi, now excited about the turn of events, pressed Ryou to continue. "Alright, alright. I saw a sweep of white hair, as white as mine. The skin was tanned, darker than mine and the person was wearing a black turtle-necked shirt and leather pants. He glared over at me, taking in my sight before scoffing. I heard him say, 'Look at you! Lying down there looking like a filthy street rat! Get you Ryou!'" At this, he couldn't help but snicker at the memory, raising a head to his head, tapping his chin in thought.
"I didn't say anything, but in my head I was constantly calling out his name. 'Bakura, Bakura.' Now that I think about it, it wasn't me calling, but that part of my soul calling out to his. Well, he strutted over to me and grabbed me by my collar, shaking me as he pretty much tore me a new one. He was saying things like, 'Get your act together you worthless swine!' Though he was being brutally honest, I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was genuinely worried for my health. So after he yelled at me for a good thirty minutes, he went downstairs and came back with a bottle of water and a sandwich. He practically force-fed and drank me."
"When that was over, he picked me up and carried me into the bathroom, washing three weeks worth of dirt thoroughly off of me and dressing me up in fresh clothes. Once he finished, he sat me down at my living room sofa and told me what was going on. He felt what I was going through, he knew the emptiness I felt and the way I was starving myself. He knew that I was killing myself, and how so he came to see that I was still okay. I never knew that when pushed, Bakura was so caring." Ryou blushed faintly at this.
"He also told me that he felt the same at first; that when he separated from me, part of him felt lost. Just like me, he was wondering around aimlessly, trying to find out what was missing from his life. That was when he said… that what was missing was… me." Ryou's blush grew ten times brighter at the recollection, stopping there in his tale as he covered his face meekly. Yugi smiled fondly. Bakura couldn't be all that bad if he took care of Ryou like that. But he knew that the ancient thief wasn't one to show those feelings openly, being that he was still bad.
Ryou sighed as the blush diminished slowly. "We're the same soul in two bodies; so we have to be together, not just out of necessity, but because in the end, we do truly care about each other. So, afterwards he got me back on my feet, albeit roughly and now we're living together. That's it, the end." Ryou smiled as he lifted his hands in gesture to show he was done, and Yugi looked on at his friend with a new reserve. If that's what it felt like, he hoped that Yami would stay with him to help him through the ups and downs. Suddenly, amethyst widened comically as a realization donned on him.
What if Yami didn't stay? When if once they were separated, that would be the end of it all? I mean, they were together for the sole purpose of helping him regain his memories. So once that was done, would Yami not need him anymore? The mere thought of being pushed aside and left behind was heart-braking to the young duelist, and it wasn't until Ryou said something that he found out that tears had be streaming down from his beautiful, round eyes, cascading their way down his round, youthful face.
The sudden remembrance of what was supposed to be their last duel flashed through the young man's mind, causing him to clutch tightly at his clothed chest, as he shook his head trying to rid of the events.
It was that one card. He knew that Yami would play monster reborn to bring back the Egyptian God card. He knew his dark side all too well, and that was Yami's downfall in this battle. The chest opened and revealed the card, cancelling out the monster reborn's effects and ending the duel.
Yugi felt his world shatter all around him, knees going weak as he collapsed from the overwhelming feeling of dread and grievance. Tears were freely falling from his saddened eyes, not wanting to use his monster, knowing that once he did Yami would be gone forever.
"Go ahead aibou, its okay," he heard the reassuring voice of his dark half call out. He shook his head, not wanting to believe it. 'No, no I won't do it! I can't lose the only person who's ever really understood me!' But was that really it? Did he not want to lose Yami for another, much more meaningful reason?
Fear traveled up the Heba's spine and panged at his chest, causing him to grip it tight. Everyone was waiting for him to attack but… Yugi glanced over to his friends, all with reassuring smiles that told him everything would be alright. Looking up from long lashes, he saw his other half, smiling and nodding at him to continue and finish what must be done. He couldn't hear Yami's thoughts, knowing that the link was gone due to the duel, but he could still feel his warmth, the gentle caresses of the other's soul telling him that it must be done and that he was not to blame.
Such a callous destiny for someone so young, so small. For one who really had no one to rely on but their grandfather and friends. For a boy who changed the world and saved so many people. A boy that really only had one person to help him endure and persevere through it all, only to be wiped clean from the face of the earth once his purpose was fulfilled.
Yugi stood, knowing that this was the only way. Tears flowing ever freer, he furrowed his brow as he took responsibility for freeing the pharaoh from his prison. Ryou had told it would be hard, but he never said it would be like this! Teeth gritted, Yugi outstretched a hand in showcase fashion, staring intently at the source of this confusion and melancholy.
"Alright! Silent Magician, attack his life points directly!" he gave the command, the monster card in question nodding to her master before flying towards the pharaoh and sticking out her staff, releasing a might blast from the staff. The attack rendered the end of the duel, Yami crying out in pain and shock as his life points were drained. Yami slumped over, before straightening himself and watched with remorseful eyes as his light fell once more with tears falling from the decision he just made.
He walked over to the trembling counterpart, eyes softening at the sight. "Congratulations, well done." He remarked, Yugi never looking up to look at his dark side. Yami felt a pang in his heart as he bent down on one knee, calling out his aibou's name. He placed a firm hand on the other's shoulder, leaning in close so that he could be heard amongst the heart-wrenched sobs.
"A champion does not belong on his knees. You achieved a great victory, for both of us." Yugi shook his head, tears fluttering about from his face. He looked down, not bearing to look at the other's face, knowing that this was surely the end and that the duel had sealed their fates.
"I-I was so f-focused on the game that… That I forgot what w-winning this duel would actually… mean. By defeating you… I sent you away. For good!" the tears never faltered, Yugi shutting his eyes, trying to seal them away from everyone… From Yami. Yami shook his head, tilting his head down to look at his shattered aibou.
"No, you have opened the door for me. Thanks to you, I am finally at rest again. I'll finally be back where I belong. Fate brought us together for a reason, and we both have fulfilled our destinies." With that, Yugi looked up into red-purpled pupils. Yami, gave him a smile as they stood, hands placed gently on trembling shoulders. "You do know that we'll never be apart right?" Yugi looked at him incredulously, not understanding how that was possible. Soon, they will be gone, never to be seen again by one another, and yet he says they'll never be apart? Confusion filled his childish eyes, trying to grasp his dark's words.
"The kindness you've given me, and the courage I've given you, that will stay with us. And it will bind us forever." Yami gave his aibou's shoulders a small squeeze of support. Yugi nodded, finally knowing what he meant. He was right; there courage Yami had given him, which would stay forever. He learned so much from the thousand year old man; how to stand up for what is right, how to be yourself, and how to believe in the power of yourself and friendship. That was something that could never be taken away.
And he in turn, had taught the pharaoh kindness. He taught him that friends are something that is more power than anything, and that kindness isn't taken by force, but given by love and caring. Surely, that was something that Yami would take with him, from now until the afterlife.
The doorway to the afterlife shined, attracting everyone's attention. They all knew it was time for him to leave. Yami looked at Yugi, taking him his light's appearance with his brows furrowed. His face looked as if he wanted to say something, but held it in as he continued to look hard at his aibou. It was as though he was burning the image into his memory, not wanting to forget the large, innocent eyes, the soft peach skin, and the lithe figure. Yami raised a hand, reaching out to touch his innocent duplicate's face, but faltered and instead placed his hand on his Heba's shoulder, giving him another reassuring squeeze.
It was at this time that he leaned in close, so that no one else would hear. "We'll meet again aibou. I'll make sure of it." The words sunk into Yugi's skin, making him shudder and eyes drift close with the cryptic message floating around in his mind. Yami turned to leave afterwards, Yugi, Jou, Honda, and Anzu pursuing after the other to bid farewell to their friend.
All the while, Yugi remained in a daze, unsure of what to think. It still felt so surreal, to think that he had sealed the man's fate and sent him back to his time, but to rest in peace. It was nostalgic as the memories of the time they shared swept through his mind, eyes dulling over as his friend's yells grew muffled and disoriented. The time when he first solved the puzzle and unleashed all that had made his life an adventure, from all the duels they had shared, the time when he nearly lost the pharaoh, up till now fluttered around in his mind.
He watched as Yami, back turned, gave them the thumbs up before walking through the door, profile changing as his skin darkened and royal garments adorning his well-chiseled body. The moment the doors closed, Yugi felt his entire body grow numb, part of him feeling hollow and empty. Though he was warned of the symptoms by Ryou, he never imagined that it would feel as if part of his soul was forcibly ripped from his body like this.
Yugi blinked, wiping his face and grabbing a bottle of water from the den of the game shop. 'Snap out of it Yugi. That was nearly five months ago,' he thought to himself, scolding that he would think back to that time after promising to himself that he never would. But still, that feeling of utter loneliness and fatigue was overwhelming in the beginning. He felt so empty, and though his friends tried to cope with the feeling, the fact of it was that they didn't know what it was like to share a body with two souls. But Malik and Ryou knew, and they came over to console him regularly, along with Marik and Bakura from time to time.
He was appreciative of them, really he was, but what he needed really was to fell whole again. And his other half was in the past, forever lost in the hands of time. Yugi shook his head again, mentally scolding. He made his way back to the front of the shop, waiting for more customers. 'Man, today is really slow,' he noted, leaning over the counter with a bored expression. If only his grandfather didn't go to see his friend in America.
Preferably, Yugi wanted to be hanging out with Jou or Honda, but he made a promise to his grandfather. A sigh escaped his lips as he lifted to bottle, taking a long swig before placing it on the counter and pouting a little. "I'm so bored~!" he chanted to no one in particular. A pair of arms snaked around Yugi's small shoulders, startling him.
"What's this? Bored are we?" came the husky voice Yugi had grown to love. The little duelist smiled as he turned around (though that proved a challenge considering the arms never left) to meet a pair of eyes similar to his own. "Why do you always sneak up on me like that?" he said with feigned anger and shock. He puffed out his cheeks and poked out his lip to put up the façade of a pout.
A low chuckle reverberated through the other as he let go of Yugi to stand next to him, helping with the shop mending. Yugi offered the other a bottle of water, to which his guest graciously accepted. Once taken, he opened twisted the cap open, taking a drink himself. Yugi watched as his throat muscles clenched and released as he drank, some of the liquid escaping his lips and sliding seductively down his throat.
Yugi withheld a blush as he looked away. The silence was at least bearable with two people in the area. Yugi, after having the time to ponder back on his time with the other, felt the urge to ask something that was nagging at the back of his mind. "Um… Can I ask you something?" he said timidly, looking away as the other gave him a questionable look.
"Of course Yugi, you can ask me anything. You know that," was his albeit somewhat confused response. Yugi fiddled with a nearby toy, worried about asking something so silly. "This might be weird or stupid to ask but…" The man interrupted. "There are no 'stupid' questions Yugi. Please, just ask," he said soothing the other's turmoil.
Yugi sighed and turned to the man, a handsome, tanned face meeting his own as he smiled down at him. "Do you think that… Well… You'll stay here… With me… With us! For a long time?" he asked, taking in the other's intense eyes as they flashed with understanding. He was quiet for a moment, just looking at the purity in Yugi's eyes. The timid duelist blinked, averting his eyes this way and that before looking back into the same, unwavering red-purple.
"Uh… Y-… I mean… Atemu?" he asked, snapping his other out of his trance.
Atemu smiled and placed a tanned, callous hand on his Heba's head, ruffling his identical tri-colored hair. "Yugi… You should know by now. No matter what, I will always be there for you." Yugi smiled; glad to hear the response as he allowed his dark side to continue ruffling his head. "That's a relief," he heard himself say, smiling at the chuckle that answered him.
"Do you know why I looked at you with such intensity that day?" he questioned. Yugi blinked once again, confused by the change of topic. Now that he thought about it, he didn't know at all. Shaking his head he answered, "No. Why?" Atemu's eyes softened as he lifted his hand and rubbed the back of his hand gently down Yugi's cheek with affection.
"It was so that I remembered who you were when I was reincarnated. Our souls are one, aibou. Both now and forever. And because of that, I will always be there my hikari, the other half of my soul."
A/N: Nya~! That was a lot! I actually wanted this to be pure, unadulterated yaoi, but I just got off track! -_- Well, depending on how many reviews I get, I may turn this into a story! Leave me feed back, yeah? If you do, I'll have PLENTY of ideas for it I assure you. Welp, see ya!
P. S. If you like this, then check of my Naruto fanfic called, "You are my friend, Right?" You might like that as well! Ja~ne