Chao- La la la!
"Talking."
"Thinking."
/Yami and Yugi mind link./
Chapter 2: Keep On Moving
Yugi ran once more, but this time he was not too far behind Joey.
"You're doing great, Yugi," the blonde praised sincerely. "Keep it up!"
After spending the cool morning running, the group rested on a park bench.
"At this rate you'll be ready for the big lap race!" Tristan noted. "Now let's see if we can get ten pushups!"
Yugi nodded and he managed to perform a few before the group was interrupted by an annoyed female voice, "And what exactly is going on here?"
Yugi stopped his exercise as he and the group looked over to see a furious Tea. Everyone became speechless; they wanted to keep their exposed training a secret. They were also confused how she knew where they were at.
Tea observed all her male friends were wearing gym clothes, running shoes, and bags filled with sweat bands and water bottles. She shrieked, "Are you turning Yugi into another muscle head!"
Yugi stood up as he tried to explain, "N-no! That's not it!"
"You see we are… uh…" Joey stuttered trying to come up with a good lie.
"We're just trying to help Yugi with… um…" Tristan also attempted to answer the question but was unsure what to say.
Yugi sighed; he did not want any of his friends lying to someone who cares about them He smiled to his two male friends and insisted, "It's ok if we tell her."
The two taller boys nodded.
"Tell me what?" Tea asked in an annoyed tone with her arms crossed, not at all pleased her close group of male friends kept a secret from her.
"I was just trying to get ready for the Sports Festival this year since Joey, Tristan, and me are on the same team." Yugi explained innocently as well as truthfully.
Tea uncrossed her arms and looked at all of her friends. They were all smiling and were happy to be helping out a friend.
"I um… didn't tell you because I…" Yugi stuttered trying to tell the truth. He was interrupted when Tea grabbed his arm and pulled him away.
"Hey, where are you goin'!?" Joey yelled as he wanted to continue on with the training program.
"I don't want Yugi to turn into a brainless muscle head like you two!" Tea explained.
"But, Tea!" Yugi protested. "I'm so close to getting better!"
"I know," the female teen agreed. "So you'll be training under my program!"
"And what is that?" Tristan asked after gathering everyone's supplies that were left behind.
xxx
The group was told to meet back at the Turtle Game shop for a real workout set up by Tea. They were told they could continue to wear their gym outfits but could not keep on any shoes or socks. They were also asked to move the furniture towards the back for extra room to move.
"What is it Tea has planned now?" Joey thought out loud in annoyance.
"Who knows," Tristan sighed.
"Feh… women," Joey mumbled.
Yugi anticipated what was in store for him. He closed his eyes as he waited patiently for his companion to arrive and say what else was on her mind. Yugi had always liked the fact his best female friend was someone who was strong and stood by her beliefs. He was hoping with him training for something as real as a sport, and not a card game, she would see him as someone different.
All three boys looked up when they saw Tea had finally arrived. In her hand was a thin lavender matt. She wore a sky blue tank top and pink pants. Yugi was always happy to see his friend in her school uniform, regular clothes, formal ware, and especially her work uniform, but he has not seen her in any workout clothing before.
"What is it you have planned?" Joey asked, a little mad he was indoors rather than outdoors having fun with running around and acting like a fool.
"I thought I'd share what I like to do for working out." Tea explained as she walked in.
"What about your dance?" Yugi asked.
"I do have other hobbies other than dance." Tea answered sternly.
Tristan observed what she was wearing as well as the item in her hand. He sighed in agitation as he groaned, "Please don't tell me we're doing Yoga!"
"What!" the other two boys asked in shock.
Tea giggled evilly, "What better way to get in shape?"
"But that's for girls!" Joey whined, not wanting to take part in the activity.
"It is not!" Tea protested. "Many celebrities do it to stay in shape!"
"Yeah, just those who are on TV and not doing an actual sport!" Tristan pointed out.
Tea took offense to that.
Yugi was unsure of how to feel. He wanted to try something new and do a different activity other than playing games with his best female friend. But on the other hand, the Sports Festival was approaching, and he feared he may not have enough time to be fully ready.
"Then let's make a deal," she stated, grabbing her male friends attention. "Let's at least try this. If it's too easy for you, then you all can go back to your silly routine."
Joey and Tristan looked at each other and grinned arrogantly.
"We accept!" they both said as they stood up.
Yugi smiled and replied, "I'll try it."
"Ok then! Let's begin!" Tea cheered as she undid her mat.
The group of friends had the three boys in back with Tea in the front as the instructor.
"Let's start by clearing our minds and settings ourselves with a good intention as to why we're doing this." Tea instructed.
"Because you made us," Joey grumbled.
"Just do it!" Tea ordered annoyed.
Yugi nodded. He placed his hands together and brought them to his chest.
"I want to try this and become a good sports partner for my friends." Yugi reflected honestly to himself about his decision.
/And to make Tea proud!/ Yami grinned, interrupting his partner's concentration.
Yugi lost focus for a moment as he opened his eyes and tried to regain his balance.
/Yami!/ Yugi scolded. /This is serious!/
/Yes, sorry about that./ Yami apologized and allowed his friend to get back to his training.
After performing several poses, all three boys could feel their body ache.
"Man, this is harder than what I assumed!" Tristan thought to himself.
"No way I'm losing to a girly workout!" Joey yelled at himself as he pushed himself to make it through the end, not wanting to admit defeat.
"I don't know how much longer I can last!" Yugi tried to push himself but could feel his strength leaving him. His body had built up to withstanding running, pushups, and even the harshness of the Shadow Realm, but his physique was unprepared to use several muscles not applied in any of his previous activities.
/You can do it partner!/ Yami tried to encourage. /Show Tea how cool you are!/
After surviving one last pose, the three boys fell to the floor exhausted.
"Is that all you have?" Tea teased, knowing she had won.
"That… doesn't…. that doesn't…" Joey tried to argue but was too tried to come up with any points.
Yugi pushed himself to stand up and drink some water. He sat on the couch, too tired to say anything but quietly accepted his defeat. He had to keep his promise and do what Tea had ordered.
/You did very well, partner,/ Yami tried to comfort. /But are those poses really hard?/
/Yes, they are…/
/Really?/
/Yes…/
/Are you sure? Because it all looked like fun and easy./
/It's not easy!/
/But Tea looked as though she was having fun./
/Duh! She's been doing this for lot longer!/
/No wonder she can out dance and out run almost everyone./
/…./
/Well, better luck next time./
/That's easy for you to say… You don't have to actually go through a sports festival./
/No, but you're making it look like fun./
/But you're inside the Puzzle! It's not like you need to come out for anything./
/Yes, I'm special like that./
Yugi grew annoyed by his so called friend. He hurriedly placed the Puzzle around his neck.
"Tea," Yugi called out. "I think another round will be good."
Tea looked over to her friend. She smiled with great enthusiastic, "OK!"
"What?" Joey whined.
"No more!" Tristan moaned.
The tired, small teen gathered his strength and pushed himself to stand up.
"Let's see how easy this actually is!" he thought bitterly.
A light flashed and soon Yami stood where Yugi was.
"Huh?" the dark spirit asked confused.
Tea happily grabbed her friend, unaware of the transformation, and said, "Another round? Here we go!"
"What!" Yami yelled confused. /Yugi! How could you!/
No response came from the Puzzle.
After doing only a few poses, Yami collapsed on the floor exhausted.
/You win, Yugi!/ Yami stated as he changed places with his lighter half.
Yugi was satisfied to prove his point, but he was still disenchanted he couldn't do any of the exercises he wanted to try with Joey and Tristan. He took a seat on the couch once more and sighed. He was man enough to accept when he had lost and agreed to the terms.
Tea took a seat next to her friend and smiled, "Yoga may not be easy, but it's fine with me if you continue on with your program created by those two."
Yugi turned his head towards his companion surprised.
"Just promise me you won't turn into a muscle headed freak!" she conditioned.
Yugi laughed and agreed.
After taking several minutes to recuperate, the group decided to relax for the rest of the afternoon. The boys eventually recovered from the tough training they had received and were back to acting like fools. Joey and Yugi managed to pull their strength together and play a few rounds of Duel Monsters. Although the outcomes of the matches were obvious each time, the two friends had a great time with Yugi teaching Joey new strategies.
The sun was to set soon and the group of friends departed.
With the Puzzle in hand, Yugi slowly walked upstairs and into his bed room. He took off his pendant and immediately went to bed. His entire form was exhausted, but on the inside he was grateful for having his friends by his side and helping him in his time of need. He closed his eyes and went to sleep. While sleeping peacefully for several minutes, he started to toss and turn once more.
Yugi's Dream
A young boy with tri-color hair sat alone in his room. Even though the sun was out and the sky was so clear, he had no place to be. He had no one to play with. He wanted to go outside, but no one would be waiting for him or talk with him.
All the boy had were some board games scattered across his room. His mother had scolded him to pick up all the pieces, but he felt like if he had then all of his joy coming from within the pieces would disappear. He continued to sit in his room detached from reality until someone opened his door. A man with short black hair and blonde bangs came into the room.
"Hey," the man greeted softly.
The young boy turned around. A genuine smile came upon his face. He quickly stood up and dashed over to the man.
"Daddy!" he greeted back. "I missed you!"
"I missed you, too," the man laughed as he embraced the young child. He then pulled the boy away as he said, "It's too nice of a day to be spent indoors."
"I know," the child said as he looked at the floor feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry, Daddy."
"Then let's not waste any more time, Yugi," the man said with a calm smile. He took his son's hand and led him out of the room.
The father and son walked together side by side on their way to the park. The father politely listened as his child prattled on about one thing and then another. The two enjoyed themselves throwing a ball, playing in the sandbox, and blowing bubbles.
Hours felt like minutes, and the sun was soon melting into the horizon. From the bench, Yugi jumped down as he tried his best to chase a butterfly. When the tiny creature disappeared Yugi turned around expecting to see his father, but the man was nowhere in sight.
The young boy walked in the park alone, lost and afraid. The sun was setting, and the lack of light caused several shadows to become long and creepy looking.
"Daddy?" Yugi called out. "Where are you?"
He was scared about his surroundings and wanted to go home. After walking unaccompanied for a few minutes that seemed more like hours, he started to cry.
"Yugi?" a man called out.
The child looked up and was overjoyed. He ran towards the man with black hair and blonde bangs and yelled, "Daddy! I'm so glad you found me."
"I'm so glad you're all right!" the man said as he happily embraced his son.
End Dream
Yugi awoke to the sun rising. He sat up straight with a smile on his face. He was very happy he was found by someone who had always cared about him.
"Dad," Yugi whispered to himself. He clinched his fists. "Yes, I shall do my best and make everyone proud!"
Just then, his alarm clock went off.
/Yugi, you need to get up now!/ Yami reminded his partner as he appeared. /You don't want to be late, do you?/
Yugi stretched and replied, /I don't know, do you want to do Yoga again?/
/No./ Yami stated as he rapidly returned to the Puzzle.
Yugi couldn't help but laugh. He committed his usual routine of preparing for school. As he placed his Puzzle over himself, Yami couldn't help but notice his partner seemed to be in an unusually good mood for the mornings.
"Perhaps he's feeling like himself again," he noted to himself as his light headed towards school.
xxx
Somewhere in Domino City, two men were talking about some interesting news. They were in a small room with two giant windows. Above them was a fan spinning around to keep cool. The area also contained a bookshelf with several books placed upon it, a simple red rug on the floor, and two paintings of a simple outdoor scenery.
"So, what you're saying is this, Millennium Puzzle, has some sort of power behind it?" a man with shoulder length hair asked while sitting at his desk in a large red chair.
"Yes, that is correct. The artifact originated from Egypt and is now in the hands of a young card game champion named Yugi Moto." a man with simple brown hair answered.
"Moto, eh?" a man looked up for his seat, revealing a pair of gray eyes. He smiled an arrogant, evil smile and said, "Perhaps getting this Puzzle will be easier than expected."
The man stood up and pushed a small button on his phone located on his desk on top of a green desktop.
"Get me Izumi Moto on the line," he ordered. "Since he's taking care of some business for me, perhaps he wouldn't mind bringing along his son for a ride."
To be continued…
Chao- Ain't it great to be up late reading and writing fan fics?
YChao- Only if you don't have a life.
Chao- True that.