A/N: I've had this story in mind for years and years. I've waited all this time to publish it. I wanted my writing skills to be superb. I'm not sure if anyone even reads YuGiOh Fanfiction any more, but now it's off my mind and I feel much better
Disclaimer: I don't own YuGiOh, obviously. If I did, I'd be rich.
'........' - Thinking
"......." - Talking
You get the point.
It was a cool summers day. The sun was shining through light grey clouds, and a gentle breeze flowed through the city. Yami awoke to an empty bed. Yugi was gone. He called out to his love with no avail. He searched throughout the game shop and found only one item; a letter.
"I'm sorry Yami, but I have to leave. I'll come back one day, but right now, there are things I have to take care of. Please don't come looking for me. It will just make things worse. While I'm gone, I only ask one thing.
Please be happy.
-Love,
Your Aibou."
Yami dropped to his knees, Yugi was gone, and there was nothing he could do about it.
"Why?" Was all he was able to whisper to the now empty house.
Three AM. The roads were cold and air was even colder. A young boy walked aimlessly down the winding back roads of northern Japan. He moved from town to town, not staying in a single place for more than a week or two.
Few cars traveled these roads, but the boy knew them well. The pavement was lined with trees and there was little to no shoulder in some places. It was dangerous. But he didn't care.
'Oh man what I would do for some food right now'. He thought and sighed to himself.
Looking behind him he saw a bright light. Figuring it was a car he stepped off the road to avoid getting himself hurt.
The car skidded to a stop in front of him. A young woman with long brown hair stepped out of the vehicle. Disbelief and concern were written all over her face. The boy didn't notice, he was too busy trying to avoid any sort of contact with her.
"You're walking on the wrong side of the road. If I hadn't been paying attention, I could have killed you." She said, slightly shook up, concern lined her voice.
"I saw you coming," He said, "I stepped off the road."
She huffed at his remark. "Like I said; if I hadn't been paying attention, I could have killed you".
The boy looked up, slightly agitated but gasped when he saw who the woman really was.
"Tea?" He asked, not believing the words that came from his mouth.
The woman smiled, "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Me?!" He questioned. "What are you doing all the way out here!?"
Walking up to each other they embraced in a hug. 'It's nice to be in familiar company.' Yugi thought.
"Yami's missed you." Tea said with despair in her voice. "We've all missed you. We've been worried sick. You could have called or sent a letter, anything to let us know you were still alive."
Yugi kept silent. He knew he should have, but. . . after everything that happened, how could he face them?
"Things got... complicated." He paused. "You never answered me. What are you doing all the way out here? And so early in the morning at that."
"Well," Tea started as she walked to her car, Yugi followed taking a seat in the passengers seat. "after you left, the group fell apart. Joey and Tristan moved out here, the next town over actually. I went off to college in America, and Yami..." Yugi interrupted
"What happened to Yami?" He was worried. 'What if something happened to him while I was gone. What if he got hurt, or killed himself.'
"Yami just waits at the Game Shop for you to come home to him. He never leaves unless it's to get groceries, and even then he doesn't go far." Tea confirmed. "Since we're out here, we may as wel just go back to Joey's. You can give Yami a call and let him know you're alright."
"Y-yeah. ." Yugi's voice trailed off. He was walking away from that town for a reason.
The car engine started up, and they were on their way. Traveling back through the winding roads Yugi had just ran from. Back to the one place he never wanted to be again.
Many thoughts raced through Yugi's mind. He was lost in thought until they pulled up to the house. Yugi's heart sank. He got out of the car and followed Tea to the door. She knocked three times and then pushed the door open.
Joey was half asleep on the couch when the two walked. He smiled that big Joey smile "It's been a while Yuge'. I'm glad yer safe."
Yugi just smiled and took a seat on the couch next to Joey. They caught up for a while, talking about their lives, about what they did for a living. Yugi kept quiet, adding the occasional 'That's great' here and there.
"Is der somethin' wrong, Yuge?" Joey asked, concern in his voice. Yugi kept silent, staring straight ahead. "Yuge?" Joey called out a little louder. Yugi snapped back to reality.
"Huh? Oh... Sorry, i'm just .... tired." Yugi replied, stumbling over his words.
"I'm pretty beat too guys. Do ya want some pajama's to sleep in tonight, man?" Joey asked not waiting for an answer. He climbed the stairs to the bedroom and quickly returned with light blue Pajama's. He tossed them at Yugi and shot him a quick smile. "The bathroom is down the hall on yer right."
Yugi took the clothing and made his way to the bathroom. He looked at himself and realized just how dirty he looked. "Hey Joey!" He yelled "Do you mind if I take a quick shower?"
"Naw, go ahead. There's some towels in the closet in there." Joey yelled back and continued his conversation with Tea.
In the bathroom Yugi striped down to his boxers. After turning the water on he looked back to his reflection in the mirror. It was a gruesome sight even for him. Scars covered his body. He traced the outline of the worst one. It ran from the middle of his chest to the right side of his hip. He sighed and swallowed hard before stepping under the steaming water.
"Yami? It's Joey"
"It's almost four in the morning, why are you calling me so late?" Yami asked grogilly.
"It's Yugi" Joey replied.
Yami snapped awake. "Oh my god, is he okay? Do you know where he is?" There was a faint sound of hope in his voice. Hope that was prepared to be shot down with the following words.
"He's fine, man. He's actually up here with me-" Joey was cut of by Yami's excitement.
"I'll be there as soon as I can." Yami said and hung up the phone.
Joey laughed, "I haven't heard him that happy since before Yuge' left"
Tea smiled, "Things are finally turning around, huh?"
"I hope so, I really do." Replied Joey.
With those words said, the water in the bathroom shut off. Yugi stepped out of the shower and grabbed the towel that was sitting on the sink. Drying himself off he couldn't look away from the reflection in the mirror.
'This is disgusting.' He thought to himself. 'If Yami ever sees this, ugh.' He was disgusted with himself, for letting things ever get that bad. Throwing on his boxers, followed by the pajamas's Joey gave him, he made his way back out to the living room, smiling at his two friends.
"You can sleep in my bed tonight if you'd like Yuge." Joey gestured. "I'll sleep out here on the couch. I'm expectin' someone in the mornin' and since I stayed up way past my bed time, I'll be able to hear the door better if I'm down here."
"Oh, no, Joey you don't have to-" He was cut of.
"I insist Yuge'"
Yugi just smiled and accepted the offer. There was no way he could win an argument with Joey. Sure, he was a little rough around the edges, but he'd give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
Tea showed Yugi upstairs to Joey's room. "I'll be sleeping in the guest bedroom across the hall if you need anything."
"Okay, Tea" He called out. "Night Joey!"
"Night, Yuge'. Night, Tea."
Yugi climbed in bed, pulling the covers to his chin he let out a shaky breath he didn't know he had been holding. Sleep didn't come easy for him, then again, it never did. He swam in a pool of memories, both good and bad.
A loud banging noise could be heard from downstairs. Yugi had just fallen asleep when the noise began. He groaned and pulled a pillow over his head, trying to block out the noise.
"I'm comin'" Joey moaned to himself. A familiar face appeared in the doorway. Joey gave a smile, "He's in my bedroom"
"Thank you." Yami replied giving Joey a quick hug before racing upstairs to see his aibou.
Gently opening the door, Yami peeked inside to find Yugi resting peacefully. Yami smiled and stepped the rest of the way in, gently closing the door behind him. Pulling down the covers Yami slid into bed beside him. Pulling the smaller teen close to him, Yugi began to stir. Rolling over, their faces met. Groggily, Yugi opened his eyes and smiled "I missed you" he said as he placed a kiss on Yami's cheek.
"I've missed you too." Yami smiled and held Yugi tight. "I was afraid I never get to see you again."
"I told you I'd come back. You hadn't lost hope had you?" Yugi questioned, not realizing just how much he meant to the ex-pharaoh.
"It doesn't matter, I have you now and that's all I care about''
"I'm sorry..." Yugi's eyes were already brimming with tears. "I should have called. I should have come back sooner. I should never have even left." He buried his face in Yami's chest.
"Aibou..." Yami voice trailed. "Why... why did you leave?"
Yugi looked up to his lover with a tear stained face, but immediately look away. Yami was expecting an answer. 'But if i tell you...' "You might not love me anymore."
Yami sighed "There's nothing that would ever stop me from loving you."
"I just want to enjoy our tine together now. I'll tell you. Just.... later"
Again, Yami let out a sigh "Alright, aibou." He planted a soft but firm kiss on Yugi's lips, and both fell into a world of dreams.
Again. first story in a long time. Read and review please 3