Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or any of its characters, such as Yugi, yami, Joey, Tristan, and co. Just a teeny bit AU. Hope you enjoy.

To Live (Or to Die)

Chapter One

"Yugi, what's going on?" Yami asked, concerned.

Yugi winced at the question. He hadn't succeeded in hiding his new bruises from his yami this time.

"It's nothing yami. Don't worry about it." Yugi answered cheerfully.

"Well, if you say so..." The dark side muttered doubtfully.

"Hey, there's Tea and Joey, and Tristan!" Yugi said, trying to get Yami's mind off of him. He didn't want

Yami to find out- it would be too much of a burden for him, and Yugi didn't like placing his own problems on others' shoulders.

"Yeah, and I should get back in my soul room, since school's about to start." With that said, Yami vanished back into the golden pyramid hanging around Yugi's neck.

//Aibou, I know you don't want to talk about it, but please tell me why you block our connection every time we're at home. I know you don't want me to come out at home, unless you're alone, but I need to know what's going on. I can sense that you're hurting both outside and inside. Please, aibou- you're hurt. Let me heal you.//

/Really, Yami, it's okay. I'll be fine; there's nothing to worry about./ Yugi winced as he tripped on his

swollen ankle. Ignoring the pain, he caught up with his friends. "Hey, Tea, hey Joey!"

"Oh, so I don't get a hello? How rude!" Tristan said jokingly.

Yugi laughed. "Hi Tristan."

Joey glanced at his shorter friend. "Hey, Yuges, what's goin on? You keep look like you're gettin beaten up

by bullies again but Tristan and me took care of dat problem. Wuzzup? Is someone else beaten you up agin?

Wait'll we get our hands on 'em..."

Yugi hastily replied, "No, no, no one's beating me up. It's okay, I just, er, fell off my bike!"

//No one's buying it, especially me.//

/Well, maybe I did fall off my bike!/

//Uh huh, suuure...//

'If I tell them what's really going on, mom and dad'll kill me...literally! And they'll probably make the "discipline" even more harsh!' Yugi thought.

"Hey, Yugi? Yugiiiii...wake up!" Tea waved her hand infront of his face. Yugi snapped out of his thoughts.

"Oh, sorry, I wasn't listening. What were you saying Tea?" Yugi asked.

"I was just saying that we're going to be late for school! Now hurry it up, you guys!" She huffed.

Yugi blinked at her as she stormed away. "Why's she in such a bad mood?"

Tristan answered, "Oh, nothin, except someone here," elbowing Joey, "just couldn't resist sneaking up on her and giving her quite a scare."

"Oh."

Later, after school, the small group of friends met up. Thankfully, Tea had cooled down and was her usual cheerful self again. As the group made their way to the arcade, Joey chatted with Yugi. "Hey, Yuges. My cousin's comin' over for the week, but man is she a huge pain in the a$$! She's obssessed with Duel Monsters, and always finds my deck to play with. This time, I don't want her messing it up, so would you mind keeping my deck for me this week?"

Yugi answered, "Well, I'm really not the right person to ask…"

'Since mom and dad practically destroy everything while they fight.' Yugi added mentally.

"Aw, cummon, you're the most responsible person I know!" Joey wheedled as he shoved his deck into Yugi's hands.

"Well…"

"Thanks, Yuge! Hey, look, the new game's out!" Joey ran off to play before Yugi could answer.

Yugi sighed. "I'll just hide it from mom and dad." he said to himself.

*At home*

"YUGI! Where the hell were you, boy?!? You're late!" his father screamed as Yugi entered his house.

"I-I'm sorry, I w-was just out w-with my f-f-friends!" Yugi stammered.

CRACK! Yugi was slammed against the wall by the force of the punch. As he landed, Joey's deck fell out of his pocket. It landed in the puddle of beer his father had spilled recently.

'Oh no! Joey will be so mad, his cards are ruined!' Yugi panicked.

Thinking Yugi was panicking because of him, the father yelled, "Whassa matter witcha, brat? I haven't even started yet!"

'Maybe I should ask Yami to help…' Yugi faltered. 'No. This is my problem, not his. He's always needing to help me out, I shouldn't burden him further.' Yugi kept the link closed like he always did when at home.

Trying hard not to cry, Yugi hastily picked up the ruined deck and put it back in his pocket. Then his father proceeded with the daily beating.

***Next day***

Yugi approached Joey right before class was about to start.

"Hey, Yuges, wassup?" Joey greeted.

"J-Joey, I'm really really sorry, b-but…" Yugi trailed off.

"What's up? You okay?"

"I kind of ruined your deck, Joey, I'm really sorry!" Yugi burst out.

"What?!? Give it to me!" Joey cried.

He stared at the wrinkled, ruined deck. "What'd you do?! I trusted you with my deck, and you know how important it is! Yet you ruined it the first day you had it!"

By now, Tea and Tristan had walked over. "What's going on?"

Before Yugi could explain, Joey answered instead. "Yugi here damaged my cards when I trusted him!"

"Yugi! I thought you were better than that." Tea scolded.

Just then, the bell rang and their strict teacher entered. She saw Joey, Tea, and Tristan standing.

"Joey Wheeler, Tea Gardener, Tristan ??? (What was Tristan's last name again?)! I have specifically stated several times to be seated when the bell rings! Detention after school!"

The three nodded shamefully and sat down, all three glaring at Yugi, especially Joey.

//Not a good move, Yugi.//

/But what did I do?/

//You should know. You broke Joey's trust and got them all in trouble at the same time. Smooth.//

/But Yami.../

Yugi found himself talking to a closed soul room door. He tried not to cry.

*~*~~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Not too interesting yet, but I'm gettin' there!