The flight home from Egypt seemed to be instantaneous. Yugi hadn't said much on the flight home. In fact, no one said much on the flight home. After collecting their bags from baggage claim, the gang stepped into the cool air of Japan. "It's good to be home." Joey said, taking a deep breath. "I was getting a little sick of the desert." Tristan said. Tea looked over at Yugi, who looked lifeless. "Yugi…" Tea whispered. Duke drove everyone back to the game shop. "Yugi, you haven't said a word since we got home." Duke said. "Well, I would be a little down too if the guy I shared my mind with for years just left." Joey said. "Joey!" Tea yelled. "No Tea, it's okay, he's just being honest. It just feels…odd, ya know?" Yugi sighed. "Yeah, we get it pal." Tristan said. "Why don't we let you get some rest Yugi, this trip has taken its toll on all of us, especially you. Our minds need some rest." Bakura smiled. "I second that!" Joey yelled. "Yugi, if you need some company, please don't hesitate to call us, okay?" Tea said, her voice thick with concern. "I will, I promise." Yugi smiled, weakly.
Yugi unpacked his bag and laid on his bed, he stared at the ceiling and that's when he noticed how hard the silence was hitting him. The fact that Yugi could no longer talk to the pharaoh at any given time, was just now hitting him. Atem was gone and he wasn't coming back. Yugi curled into a ball on his side and cried. He put his hand over his mouth so his grandfather couldn't hear him. His chest felt tight and his sobs shook his entire body. At some point, Yugi drifted off to sleep.
Yugi woke with a start, his voice hoarse from screaming and tears pouring down his face. "Yugi!" Grandpa yelled, rushing into the room. "Yugi, it's alright, I'm here." He soothed as his gathered Yugi in his arms. "He's never coming back…" Yugi cried. "He's gone Grandpa, he's gone forever…" Yugi was shaking. "Yugi…" Grandpa soothed, it's all he could do. "I wasn't ready to say goodbye." Yugi sniffed. "Yugi, look at me." Grandpa spoke, forcing Yugi to look at him. "Remember what Atem said after your duel? His gift of courage is always with you." Grandpa stated, looking into Yugi's tear-filled eyes. "But he isn't here!" Yugi cried. "Yugi, I know this is going to hurt for a while, but you need to pick yourself up and keep going. It's what Atem would have wanted." Grandpa stated. Yugi knew he was right, but how could Yugi go on without his other half?
/~***~\\\\\
Joey woke up the next morning and checked his phone, expecting a call from Yugi, but the only missed call he had was from a number he didn't recognize. He called the number and Seto Kaiba answered the phone. "Kaiba?! Why are you calling me? How did you even get this number?!" Joey yelled. "Isn't a little early to be yelling Wheeler?" Kaiba asked. "What do you want?" Joey inquired. "I want to talk to you, it's important. Meet me at the coffee shop today at two." Kaiba smirked on the other side of the phone. "Why should I? Besides, I don't have any money." Joey spat. "Because I said so Wheeler, and don't worry I have enough money for both of us." Kaiba said. "Aw, are you taking me on a date?" Joey asked, laughing hysterically. "You could call it that." Kaiba said. "Huh…say what?!" Joey yelled. "Just be there, you dog." Kaiba stated and hung up. Well, Joey was completely confused.
Tea woke up with swollen eyes. She had cried herself to sleep the night before. She was worried about Yugi along with grieving the loss of Atem. She got dressed and walked out the door. Joey and Tristan told Tea to give Yugi some space, but she couldn't help it. She lost the pharaoh, she didn't want to lose Yugi either.
Tea walked into the game store and saw a very tired . "Oh hello Tea, how are you today?" he asked, smiling. "I could be better; I didn't sleep very well." Tea sighed. "I'm afraid I can say the same. Yugi was up all night with horrible nightmares, he's finally sleeping peacefully." sighed. "Poor Yugi." Tea frowned. "When he wakes up, I'll let him know you stopped by. But he needs his rest right now." He stated. "I agree. Make sure he is okay." Tea said, tears in her eyes. "I promise, I will. With Atem's courage flowing through him, Yugi can make it through this. It's expected to be hard at first." stated. "You're right. Thank you. Try to get some rest yourself." Tea smiled and turned to leave.
Tea walked down town to try and clear her mind. She was looking in some shop windows when she noticed Joey in the reflection of one. He was across the street in a coffee shop with Kaiba! She got out her phone and sent him a text, she watched as Joey checked his phone and then looked out the window frantically. Yeah, it was Joey alright. Joey sent her a text back, "I'll tell you later."
/~***~\\\\\
Yugi woke up in the middle of the afternoon. His eyes hurt and he was sick to his stomach. He wandered downstairs to find grandpa with a pot of tea ready. Grandpa poured a cup of tea for Yugi and set it down gently in front of him. Yugi watched the steam disappear in the air. "My stomach hurts grandpa." Yugi said. "The tea will help calm your nerves, it's chamomile." Grandpa smiled. Yugi took small sips of tea, it was helping. Yugi went and popped a piece of bread in the toaster and waited. "Tea stopped by earlier, I told her I would let you know, but I'm pretty sure you don't want any visitors right now, do you?" Grandpa frowned. "No, I need to get myself together." Yugi said, staring at the floor. "She's just worried about you." Grandpa said. "I know and I feel bad for blowing her off, I know she's grieving too, but…I'm not ready to just move on." Yugi said, looking up at grandpa. The toast popped up and Yugi just looked at it. "I don't even want this." Yugi said in disgust. "Please eat Yugi…please." Grandpa pleaded. Yugi looked at the worry in his grandfather's eyes, he took the toast and took a small bite. He had no appetite, his head was pounding, and the silence in his mind was killing him. "I'm sorry for making you worry." Yugi said. Grandpa just looked at him, concerned. "You know, the puzzle was always so heavy around my neck, but the silence of Atem's absence is even heavier." Yugi sighed, and walked quickly to his room and slammed the door.