This is currently a one-shot just to get this AU idea out of my head and onto paper, but if I get some reviews that like it, I might very well continue. It's just a matter of if people want more or not.

It's been an entire month since Yugi watched the big ominous doors close, and it felt like a part of his soul went beyond them, along with his other half. However, something went wrong in that whole "save the world" thing. Apparently, the world wasn't remotely saved. And as much faith as everyone had in Yugi, they knew what they had to do. So Ishizu found a ritual she thought would work, and before they all knew it, they were back on planes to Egypt. Or rather, one plane. A private jet belonging to a CEO desperate to get his rival back.

As much as Seto didn't want to admit that he'd met and dueled an ancient king, there was no denying that Yugi was different. He wanted to duel Yugi like he used to be. So, if there was a way to get that Yugi back, then he was very willing to spare a day or two, trying to make it happen.

Mokuba knew better than his brother, and was completely willing to accept the pharaoh's existence. He shot glances at Yugi, smiling, knowing what this must've meant for him. Only imagining what it must've been like to have someone's soul so very close to yours, and then to lose them, only to regain them a month later.

That was, if the ritual worked. Ishizu mentioned it would be difficult, and that it didn't have a high success rate. She warned her two teenaged participants that they might need to be strong. Especially emotionally.

Yugi and Ryou didn't understand exactly what she mean, but they did understand emotional strength. With all that they'd been through, it was a miracle they weren't numb to the entire world around them.

Yugi was excited, of course. Excited and scared. Nervous about what Ishizu said, and about seeing his other half again. About what it would be like if the ritual did work, and Yugi could see him as a living person again...alive, with flesh and bones and a real voice, and his wonderful crimson eyes, and the smile Yugi had grown so used to seeing until about a month ago...

Ryou was nervous. Sure, he and the spirit might've had moments that were less than pure torture, but all in all, the spirit was an abuser. Emotionally and physically. And Ryou didn't want to have much to do with him if he came back.

"He won't be the same," Ishizu mentioned, when the subject was brought up.

"What do you mean...?" Ryou wasn't sure he wanted to know, but his curiosity got the better of him.

She sighed, not looking sad or upset, but weary. Tired of all the magic, and strange world-ending threats, and of putting these two teenaged boys in danger.

"It is said that true evil isn't allowed to exist beyond the gates of the afterlife. His soul will have been cleansed, if he returns. He won't be a good person, necessarily, but he's unlikely to be as bad as he was."

Ryou didn't say what he was thinking. No, he didn't want any of them thinking that he and the spirit had been even friends, because they hadn't been, but... he was Ryou's only companion for a very long period of time. And having someone tied to your soul, even if they cause you pain, can still be comforting. Even if Ryou had to worry about getting shut in his soul room for days, he didn't have to worry about anyone hurting him anymore. He felt, through his fear and frustration with the spirit, a small sense of protection. He didn't think the spirit was capable of liking him, even as a friend, even as a human being. But was he really willing to try all over again, when the spirit was flesh and blood and could touch him? Could hurt him?

He wasn't sure.

Yugi didn't want his friends to know just how torn up he'd been over the loss of his best friend and other half. Of course, he was going to downplay it. But he was so desperate, he expected something like this. Another chance. He looked forward to it with every fiber of his being, but he crossed his fingers and prayed that the 'complications' Ishizu mentioned wouldn't cause his Yami any pain.

He'd rather Yami be at rest but away from him, than in pain but with him. He loved him. He was willing to sacrifice for him.

Nobody was allowed to know much about the ritual, besides the fact that she'd need Yugi and Ryou's blood. Something about how bringing them back to flesh would require something of their other halves bodies, as well. So they really would be a part of them again.

It happened faster than Yugi expected. Less than an hour off of the plane, they were in a tomb. Ishizu reading words from some ancient block of text, everyone staring in awe, hoping it would work.

For Yugi and Ryou, it seemed too fast.

Far too fast.

Yugi and Ryou were in front. Yugi wanted to be the first thing his other half saw, when he came back. If he came back.

Ryou wasn't sure why he was in front, but Ishizu seemed to think it was a good idea, and he was certainly happy to have the good view so he would know immediately what was going on.

Of course, front row seats were nice until the gentle glow became a blinding light, and they had to cover their eyes with one hand, while Ishizu's low mumble of a chant became yelling and the entire room started to feel more intense.

Two figures came into focus, and Yugi's heart was beating so hard he thought it might either stop, or beat right out of his chest.

As the shadow figures emerged from the light, the onlookers started to be able to make out features.

Long white hair.

Bakura was to the left, in front of Ryou.

Those characteristic spikes.

There he was, right in front of Yugi.

As though he'd never left.

He told himself to wait. 'Wait, Yugi. Don't rush. Bad things happen when you rush things.' he told himself, repeatedly.

He wanted to run right into the light, and take back what he'd lost a month ago.

Ryou stood, stunned. Afraid. Would the spirit hurt him? Would he yell at him?

Yugi took in beautiful crimson eyes, and dark skin, and spiked hair, all belonging to his other half, who was raising a hand to block out the intense light around him.

There he was. Yugi didn't move, didn't so much as breathe, as he watched his other self, his Yami, finally step towards him.

As the light died, he couldn't hold back anymore.

Everyone watched as Yugi finally launched himself at the man, everyone smiling assuming that this would be the reunion of the century.

Nobody expected what happened next. But especially not Yugi. He'd waited so long for this, or what felt like so long. He really didn't expect this.

There was recognition in Yami's eyes, yes.

But no love. No longing, no 'I missed you', none of that.

Instead, he looked at Yugi like he was someone he disliked. Like he was an enemy. He gave Yugi the same look you give a kid who's getting on your last nerve.

And he hissed through clenched teeth, "Get off of me!"

His expression made Yugi wonder for a second if he had run at the right man. But there were his eyes, just like Yugi had always known, crimson red and lined in long black eyelashes. There were his bangs brushing the sides of his face, and somehow making it look regal instead of childish like people thought Yugi looked.

But his expression held none of the compassion he once had. None of his strength. None of...him.

"Yugi!" He heard from across the room. Who? He didn't even care. He was close to tears. His Yami had changed. He didn't want him anymore, it seemed.

Out the corner of his eye, he saw someone else rushing towards him. Ryou? No. Dark skin, a scarred face, and eyes that struck fear into Yugi's very soul.

"Yugi, I-!" The thief stopped as he seemed to notice who was standing in front of Yugi. They locked eyes. They both looked utterly shocked, and all Yugi and Ryou could do was stare.

Yugi flinched as he heard the thief's voice again, before he went into shock at what he said.

"Aibou, I think we've got a problem..."