Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh, never have, never will.
A/N: I don't know why, but Anzu seems to zap my creativity. I hope this suffices….
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As far back as I can remember, I have always loved Yami.
He was like a mysterious vigilante, only appearing when Yugi or one of his friends were When Yugi started dueling, we all got to see the mysterious spirit more often. He seemed to like dueling, especially against Kaiba. As he came out more, all of us got to know him better.
I don't know if others noticed, but Joey and I learned how to determine if Yami was out or not. For one, he was taller than Yugi, but not by a whole lot. Also, he looked a bit different physically. Every time that I noticed that he was out, I could feel my heart speed up. I don't think he really ever noticed any subtle advances that I made. That's ok though, I was content to be his friend while I secretly wished for something more.
Don't get me wrong, I liked and cared for Yugi deeply and I never ignored him in favor of the pharaoh, but the way I felt about him felt similar, but different at the same time. I wonder if it is possible to love two people at the same time.
Now however, I know there's a chance I'll lose Yami forever. We're approaching the place where the ceremonial duel will take place to determine if Yami still needs to stay on earth or he can go to the afterlife and return to being Atemu, like he's waited patiently to do for 5000 years. I have to admire him for that kind of patience.
As the duel starts, I hope that Yami would win the duel so he could stay here and lead a normal life. From what I, Yugi, and the others saw of Yami's past, He didn't have much time to really live and enjoy it. He became pharaoh at a young age and was forced to sacrifice himself not too much longer after that to protect the world from an evil ancient demi-god.
I don't know when it happened, but I suddenly found myself rooting for Yugi to win. I think the logical side of my mind told me to let Yami go, that he wanted to be set free. The duel was tense, neither battler taking a considerable lead. Finally, it seemed like Yami would win, having managed to resurrect Slifer. My breath caught in my throat. I wasn't sure whether or not I would get my wish to be able to have both of them granted.
Yugi answered my question for me when he nullified Monster Reborn and vanquished Slifer for the last time, which left Yami wide open for a direct attack. Yami had been defeated and was to be able to go to his long-awaited and much deserved rest.
After a very tearful goodbye, it seemed that no one wanted him to go, the door sealed shut behind Atemu and the temple started collapsing. We all got out and stood, feeling the earth shake and watching the entrance collapse. While we watched, I felt a hand slip into mine and hold it. Turning I looked into Yugi's slightly teary eyes and couldn't help but return the smile that he was giving me. Well, at least I was only losing one of the two that I loved, and I knew in my heart, that Atemu would live on inside him and inside all of us in the forms of what he taught us. And for that, I could be content not having Yami…well, Atemu around.