Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. All I own is this fiction and any characters that aren't from the series. Hopefully the lawyers will be nice and not sue me. Everyone else, no plagiarizing or flames. But reviews, suggestions, and constructive criticism are welcome. Happy reading everyone! ^_^

For the Love of Past and Present

Part One: Proclamations of Change

The house lie silent in the early morning hours as the three occupants slept on. The fourth had roused himself early to begin work in hopeful preparation for a busy day. The only non-human still asleep was abruptly awakened from his slumber by the annoying beeping of his owner's alarm clock.

Hopping down from the bed the small black kitten went off in search of the other human, the one who almost always forgot to set his alarm clock. Yugi Mutou.

Rolling over Rebecca's fist landed on top of the beeping annoyance, groaning she pulled the covers over her head, unaware of the mischief her pet was off to cause.

Scampering into the room he leapt upon the bed and nuzzled beneath the sheets. The boy slept on as the tiny animal crawled over his back and curled up at the collar of his t-shirt.

"Five more minutes Grandpa…" Yugi yawned sleepily.

"Purr…"

Yugi's eyes shot open, "Huh??"

"It's about time you woke up." Yami stated from his leaning position on the adjacent wall. "I knew you'd forget to set your alarm clock again."

Stretching Yugi was about to roll over but felt a pair of tiny claws sink into his skin, "YEOW! REBECCA!! GET YOUR CAT OFF ME!!!"

Yami's transparent image smirked as Yugi struggled to pry little Sirius off his back. Then footsteps sounded down the hall and a disheveled blonde rushed in to help. "Sirius! Naughty kitten, let go!"

"This is the third time this week!" Yugi complained as Rebecca removed her animal.

"He likes you." she stated simply, "You should be happy. Sirius doesn't usually warm up to people so quickly."

"Why won't he just stay in your room?" Yugi questioned, getting up to find some clothes.

Shrugging Rebecca headed for the door, "Maybe because I remember to set my alarm clock."

A small laugh escaped Yami causing Rebecca to notice him, she actually bothered to smile this time. "Hi Yami. Sleep well?"

"As well as a spirit might." Yami answered.

"I'm sure you slept like a baby." Rebecca chuckled, "It's not like Yugi's thoughts kept you up all night."

Yugi spun around from his dresser and retaliated against the insult, "Maybe I should buy a leash for that cat of yours. That'd give me a lot less to think about!"

Sirius just purred at his new roommate. The little kitten was as inquisitive as he was clever. And curiosity got him into more trouble with Yugi than anyone else. From the very start Yugi had branded him as a nosy pest with no concept of people's right to privacy.

"Oh don't tease my cat Yugi!" Rebecca snapped, "Just get ready for school. I may have to ride with you but that doesn't mean I have to let you make me late!"

The door was slammed shut in a show of feminine determination leaving Yugi and Yami alone.

"She certainly has a lot of spirit." Yami observed.

"Yeah," Yugi agreed slipping on a clean pair of jeans, "she's stubborn alright."

"That's not what I meant," Yami turned towards the young man, "And I still don't understand why you haven't told the others that she's living here with us."

Yugi was midway through pulling a sweatshirt over his head when he answered, "Because they'd read too much into it. Look, I'll tell them when the time is right."

"And Rebecca, will you tell her when the time is right?" Yami inquired.

Yugi paused with one sock on, "Tell her what?"

"How you feel." Yami finished. How we BOTH feel. he added silently to himself.

Yugi's gaze fell to the floor. "It's not like she doesn't have a clue. I mean, we do kind of flirt a lot. And why should I be the one to say something first? Why can't she?!"

Shaking his head Yami spoke to his hopeless protégé, "Because it's a tradition that's been passed down through the ages. It's timeless, the male generally makes the first move. It shows bravery and sincerity."

"But-"

"You don't want someone else to realize how wonderful she is and take her from you?"

"Of course not!"

"Then say something, soon." Yami persisted patiently.

Sighing Yugi finished dressing and headed down towards the kitchen, Maybe Yami's right. I mean…lots of guys at school have been noticing Rebecca. It's only a matter of time before they find out she's available.

Upon entering the kitchen Yugi nearly tripped over Sirius who dashed over to rub against his legs purring for attention. "You again?"

"Well," came a mocking voice from the stove, "look who finally made it down for breakfast."

Looking up Yugi's gaze met Rebecca's, "Would've been here a lot sooner if I hadn't had to pick cat hairs off my new jacket."

"Excuses." she said smugly raking another pancake onto Yugi's plate. "Guess your grandpa headed out to the shop at the crack of dawn again."

"You know how passionate he is about his business nowadays," Yugi chuckled between mouthfuls of pancakes and syrup.

"Yami back in the puzzle?"

"Yes."

"Finish your report?"

"Mm-hmm."

There was an awkward pause as Rebecca took a fork shuffled her food around on her plate. "Yugi-"

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

Now it was Yugi's turn to break the silence. "Um Rebecca…"

"Yes?"

Oh boy, thanks a lot Yami now what do I say? Yugi panicked.

Just tell her the truth and you'll be fine. the spirit assured him.

Those emerald eyes were still staring him down, waiting patiently for an explanation. "I was just thinking---about you and me---and everything that's happened."

Putting her fork down Rebecca sat up straight while Yugi fumbled for the right words, "Go on."

The poor guy fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair for a moment before continuing, "Back when Pegasus and I were dueling, I noticed something about you…about me…I think you know what I'm talking about but maybe I'd better just say it."

So say it already! Yami urged, honestly kids today were lost when it came to affairs of the heart!

"Ever since Tea and Tristan became a couple I kinda reserved myself to staying out of the whole dating game for a while. Then you came and now I guess I'm saying that I'm not so sure that's what I want anymore." He only hoped this was making more sense to her than it was to him.

"Oh I see," Rebecca noted, "you liked Tea. But since Tristan was your friend and they found out they had a thing for each other you decided to back off and let them go out."

"Pretty much." Yugi sounded a bit hurt at recalling the whole thing. Tea had been so afraid of hurting his feelings and Tristan wasn't going to make a move so long as his bud had eyes for her too. Problem was, Tristan couldn't go on saying that he was interested in Serenity instead once she and Kaiba started dating. That's when it became increasingly obvious that his heart was set on Tea. Finally Yugi had given in to the both of them and stepped back claiming to have no interests in his crush other than friendship. It had been heartbreaking for poor Yugi, a bittersweet experience for everyone. Now it was time to come clear to Rebecca about everything and hope she wouldn't put him through the same heartache that he'd endured before.

Yugi's thoughts were interrupted when a warm hand gently covered his, "It's okay Yugi, I understand. You did a good thing, backing off so your friends could be together. I think it was very noble of you."

Smiling weakly he took the leap, "Tea did mean a lot to me, she still does. It's just that, when I almost lost you in The Shadow Realm I realized that you mean a lot to me too. A lot more than I would've ever thought anyone would mean to me. Even Tea."

Tears were swelling in Rebecca's eyes as Yugi talked about his feelings for her. So he did share her love. The thought of Yugi losing his freedom and puzzle to Pegasus had been heart wrenching to her but Yugi had still risked everything for her freedom. And now she knew it was because he…

"I love you Rebecca Hawkins."

Sniffling a little she wiped the tears from her eyes. "Do you have any idea how long I've been hoping you'd say that?"

Yugi shook his head. Part of him wanted to rush to Rebecca and comfort her, the other part was curious to learn the answer.

"Eight years," she burst out taking Yugi by surprise. "I had a crush on you from the very first time we met. And I convinced myself that's all it was. But time wore on and the lies didn't work anymore. Then the whole fear of what your secret was set in and my heart pulled me one way while my head lead me another…and coming here for a visit nearly drove me out of my mind. Seeing you again made me realize I still cared about you. And then when you went and risked everything for me I realized it wasn't just some silly childhood crush. I love you too Yugi. I guess I always have."

Yami smiled as Yugi dashed around the table and wrapped his arms around Rebecca in a warm and loving embrace. He was proud of the way both mortals were able to open up to one another and share the emotions concealed within their hearts. It reminded him of what there was left worth saving in the world. The hope that still existed in spite of all the foes that had arisen over the centuries.

Despite his contentment for the happiness of the two benevolent souls, Yami found himself a bit envious of the love that they shared. Not because he disliked Yugi in any way, that couldn't have been farther from the truth, but because his heart secretly ached for the same angel whose heart Yugi claimed.

________________________________________________________________________

*We're getting to the plot now…gonna add in some more series characters soon and bring back a few from my first story "The Quirks of Love." Hope everyone's enjoying this fic, please review and I'll try and have part 2 up soon. ^_~ *