So I guess my obsession with Yu-Gi-Oh has reached the point of fanfiction... Oh well, I worked hard on this, so review! I hope you enjoy it!

Yugi kicked off his shoes and fell back onto his bed with a heavy sigh of relief. The cool covers caressed his skin and he allowed his pillow to cradle the back of his stiff neck.

Yami leaned his back against the bedpost, eyes cast onto the floor, deep in thought. They had just won the battle city tournament together, confirming Yugi's title as "king of games." But neither felt very triumphant. In their crowning battle, the good side of Marik had regained control of his body and forfeited.

But that wasn't what was bothering Yami. He was glad Marik and the world had been saved. He was feeling deep pain at the thought of how much he could have lost. Never before had he felt so vulnerable seeing Yugi lose part of himself to the Shadow Realm with every loss of life points.

The boy had always been important to him. He had basically freed him from the puzzle the day he assembled it. But now, Yami realized how precious he was to him as a friend and equal.

Yugi was exhausted, but he couldn't help but notice how concerned Yami looked.

"Pharaoh?"

He turned to his friend, slightly startled, "Yes, Yugi?" Yami realized he may have worried the boy by keeping quiet for so long.

"Are you okay? You look kind of down."

"With all that's been going on lately, you and I haven't had much time to talk. But I see that you're tired, so I'll just wait until tomorrow." With this he took a step back from the bed.

"We could always talk inside the puzzle. If I'm right, my body should be able to rest while I'm there," he protested, eager to speak with the pharaoh.

"That is true… Alright, why don't you get ready for bed and meet me in the millennium puzzle when you are all settled." He smiled, and allowed his spirit form to be summoned back into the puzzle around Yugi's neck.

Yugi got out of bed to change his clothes and turn out the lights. When he settled down under the covers he closed his sweet eyes and placed both hands on the puzzle, which emitted a bright light in response.

The pharaoh was still deep in thought when Yugi arrived. He acknowledged the boy, but didn't speak right away, as if he was still contemplating what to say first.

"Pharaoh… Are y-"

"Yugi," he interrupted, "what did it feel like… when you were being pulled into the shadow realm… I mean… how bad did it hurt?"

Yugi's eyes saddened at the memory, but he held a strong expression for Yami's sake.

"It really wasn't that bad."

"You're lying. I can read your mind you know." He was determined to get this subject out in the open.

"What does it matter? I'm safe now."

"But it was sheer luck that I won. If Odion hadn't awoken, you might not be standing here right now."

"You did all you could do, and it worked out anyway. Don't worry about it, I'm fine now."

"You don't understand. You were so vulnerable. For once I couldn't protect you, and you were in pain."

"Pharaoh… I can protect myself. You shouldn't have to feel so responsible of me."

"I know… It's not that I don't think you're strong… You are, I know this. But you're my friend. Not only that, but I'm in debt to you. I wouldn't know so much about my past by now without your support. Now tell me before I lose it, please; what did it feel like? Describe the pain to me, I just want to know."

Yugi gave in. Normally, the pharaoh would know the answer through Yugi's thoughts later. But this was so stressful for him, he needed to hear it in person. Yugi understood because of their connection. Thoughts, emotions, ideas… All are shared by the two souls.

"It was… the most unbearable pain I've ever felt," he replied honestly. "I know it appeared that my limbs were being severed but… they were still attached. Just stretched and bended in the direction of the Shadow Realm. I probably made it worse by trying not to scream… but…" Yugi couldn't finish his sentence. The memory brought tears to his eyes and aches to where he had been harmed. Although all was healed, he could still feel the burning and twisting as if it was still happening. "Sorry… I-" He fell to his knees with emotion. "I don't mean to upset you even more… but it was… so painful… and frightening," he sobbed quietly.

Yami knelt down next to Yugi swiftly, realizing he had inquired too far. The memory caused the boy so much stress; he shouldn't have brought it back to him with so much force. He put an arm around Yugi's shoulder and apologized.

His touch seemed to calm the boy down, but his fatigue began to take hold. His head lolled onto Yami's chest and his voice quieted to a whisper.

"I never thought I'd be so tired in here. Isn't this why I left my body?"

Yami smiled and rubbed his shoulder comfortingly, "Even the soul can grow weary."

"Yes… I just need to rest…" his eyes began to flutter, "Yami…" The pharaoh's heart jumped at this nickname. He was often referred to as 'Yami' in Yugi's thoughts, but rarely out loud. He must not know he was still speaking.

Yami had expected to move before Yugi fell asleep, but he soon realized he was too late. He dare not move and disturb the weakened boy at this point. He soon found himself yawning. He supported Yugi as he gently reclined back to the floor. He held him all night as they slept within the surface of the millennium puzzle.