Chapter 1: Growing Up Together

June 1988

A young couple headed home from the hospital with their new bundle of joy. A young baby boy lay snug in a car seat, a shock of blond hair cascading down his cheek. The rest of the hair that was visible was black. He yawned as the father drove home. "I hope Yami likes his baby brother. He wanted a puppy for his birthday, but I guess a brother is just as good." The mother in the front seat said, glancing over her shoulder at the baby in the backseat.

"He'll be fine. You notice how much they look alike? They both have that black, red, and yellow hair, like my father. Fortunately I was blessed with just black hair." The father took one hand off the steering wheel to touch his ebony locks.

"Watch where you're driving, Hiroshi. Keep both hands on the steering wheel." The mother warned.

Hiroshi pulled up in front of a game shop and got out as his wife took the car seat out. They headed inside where an older man with black hair was waiting. The man's hair was streaked with gray and stood up all over the place. "Cho, Hiroshi. Welcome home. Yami was just playing with his toys. I'll go get him."

"Thanks, Solomon." Cho smiled at him.

Solomon headed upstairs and returned with Yami. "Mommy, Daddy!" the toddler cried, running over. He looked up at his parents. "What's that?" he asked, pointing at the baby seat.

"It's your little brother." Hiroshi took the seat from Cho and set it on the couch. He lifted Yami onto the couch. "His name is Yugi."

"No brother! Send him back! I'm the baby!" Yami complained.

Hiroshi chuckled. "We're not sending him back, Yami. He's part of the family now.'

Yami pouted.

June 2002

Fourteen years passed in which Yugi and Yami became closer than brothers. Their sixteenth and fourteenth birthday arrived in June. The doorbell rang as they were opening their presents. "I'll get it." Solomon said, getting up from the couch.

Yugi and Yami looked at the door expectantly. "Who is it, Grandpa?" Yami asked, as the older man opened the door.

"Come look." Grandpa suggested, stepping away from the doorway so they could see. Hiroshi and Cho were at the door, tan and broad smiles on their faces.

"Mom, Dad!" Yami and Yugi cried, at the same time, jumping to their feet. They hurried over and gave their parents a hug. "I thought you'd miss our birthday." Yami exclaimed excitedly.

"We would never miss our sons' birthday. Happy birthday, Yami. Look in the driveway." Hiroshi nodded toward the driveway.

Yami looked over Hiroshi's shoulder and gasped. A shiny red SUV stood in the driveway with a giant bow on the roof. "Is that for me?" he asked, disbelieving.

"Yep, I heard you've kept your grades up. You've earned it." Hiroshi tossed him the keys. Yami caught it easily.

"Thanks!" Yami jogged out to the car, removing the bow. He got in, admiring the interior. "Wow." He murmured.

There was a knock on the window, startling Yami. Yugi was outside the car, waiting expectantly. Yami rolled down the window. "You going to take me with you for the test drive?"

"Sure, get in." Yami watched as Yugi went around the car, then quickly locked the doors.

Yugi tried the passenger door. "Hey, you said you'd let me in!" he exclaimed.

"Sorry, finger slipped." Yami grinned at his brother's fuming face as he unlocked the door. Yugi got in. "Where do you want to go?" he asked.

"You did that on purpose!" Yugi complained, folding his arms across his chest.

"Me do that on purpose? I would never!" Yami exclaimed, affronted.

"Yeah, that comes from the guy who tied my laces together while pretending that he was tying his own." Yugi scowled.

"I'm your big brother, it's my job to mess with you." Yami stuck his head out the window. "Mom, Dad? We're going out. Be back soon." He called to their parents.

"Have fun, guys. And don't get into any trouble." Cho warned.

"We won't." Yami called back. He put his head back in. "So where are we going? Ice cream?"

"Yami, I'm not five. I can't be bought with ice cream." Yugi rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, what looked like a chocolate chip did the trick." Yami grinned at him, which made him scowl even more.

"Yeah, that wasn't a chocolate chip and you know it. It was a rat turd." Yugi punched his brother lightly on the arm. "I can't stay mad at you. But I will get back one of these days." Yugi warned.

"Yeah, yeah." Yami rolled his eyes as he started the SUV. He backed out of the drive and headed to the ice cream shop. "I'm paying, so get two scoops if you want."

"Fine. Thanks, Yami." Yugi managed a smile.

"No problem, little bro." Yami pulled into the parking lot of the ice cream shop. They headed inside. As they approached the register, Yugi spotted three girls sitting together, eating from bowls. Yugi's eyes widened as he took in the girl with long brunette hair. "Wow." He murmured. Their eyes met.