Yes, I am aware that it's been a ridiculously long time since I last touched this fic, but after going through that dry-spell, there just wasn't much inspiration. I do love this story, though, it's one of my favorite on-going ones. I'll try harder, I promise, but on the other hand don't get you hopes up too high. I hate disappointing people.
Anyway, this chapter I had lying around for a while. Hope it lives up to expectations.
The crimson-eyed teen stared out the window at the scenery flashing past. He had a feeling that Kasin, who was driving, was glancing back at least once a minute to check on him, if not more. But that didn't bother him. Not as much as it should have. No, what concerned him a lot more were all the pieces of information buzzing around his mind, trying to organize themselves.
He was still having trouble accepting that he was not Yami, the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle, but, instead, a boy named Atemu Tsusaka. In fact, he was still wondering if he should buy the story. But the evidence against him was so convincing he may not have a choice but to accept it. The notebook alone may be enough to persuade anyone. There were things in that book that not even Yugi knew.
And then there was that fact that the handwriting in the notebook was so strangely familiar.
And third, as he stared out the window, he realized that although he certainly did not remember having ever been here before, his head contained hazy recollections of the things he was seeing. That building. That line of fencing. Even a curiously shaped tree.
It was unnerving. He was remembering things he had no memory of experiencing.
But still, a part of him wondered, and doubted. His life with Yugi and his memories of Egypt seemed too real to be imagination. There was no way he could have made all that up…right?
His head was starting to hurt.
"Hey, you ok back there?" Kasin spoke up softly, breaking into his thoughts. "You look preoccupied."
"You would be, too, if you were me," Yami – or was he Atemu? He couldn't tell! – muttered.
"I supposed," the man sighed. "If there's anything I can do, tell me, okay? I don't like to see you so confused."
"Then tell me about Atemu."
"You are Atemu!"
"Not really. I'm…just a stranger in his body."
Kasin sighed again, looking defeated. "Well, if it'll make you feel better, it can't hurt, I suppose. But this is going to be so strange…
"My brother Atemu is almost fourteen years old, and he's one of the sweetest kids you'll ever meet. He's one of those kids who can do a bit of everything, and do it pretty well. You know the type? Doesn't really excel at anything in particular, but doesn't suck at anything, either. He's kind, generous…everything you'd want in a brother." Kasin smiled softly.
"That's hard to live up to," Yami whispered.
"No, it isn't. You just have to be you. Because I know Atemu is still in there."
Yami couldn't think of a reply to that.
They left the city and traveled further and further into the countryside. They were now far from the bustling anxieties of a growing and prospering city, miles from the loudness, and the noise, and the constant motion. It had been nearly noon when they'd left the hospital, and now, the day was drawing to a close. They were traveling on the spread out farms, where one hardly ever saw any signs of human life all day, save for their own families. Now the cats finished off their last kill, and headed back to the little spot they called home to have a last wash before drifting off the sleep. The cows were once again in the barn, munching on a last bite of grass. The horses were settled in their stalls, the chickens had their heads tucked beneath their wings, the eagles had nestled back in the nests, and the sheep had been herded back home. A still silence settled over the rural countryside, broken only by the chirps of crickets and the rustle of grass as the night-creatures woke and started their day.
Finally, they pulled to a gentle stop. Sharp crimson eyes darted around as Yami observed his surroundings. They'd parked in front of an old house, which looked worn and ragged, as though it had been standing in defiance of nature for many, many years. The house stood in the center of a farm, which looked no different than one of the many farms they'd passed over the last hours, with its fields lined with rows of crops, and pasture sporting bald clumps where an animal had grazed. There was a barn next to the house, which looked as old as its neighbor did.
"Come on," Kasin said, climbing out of the car. "We're home."
"Home," Yami repeated softly, gazing wonderingly at the little house, which called to him and gave him such a warm feeling in his heart. "This…is home."
"That's right," Kasin chuckled. "Come. The others are probably waiting anxiously, ready to pounce on me the moment I walk through the door."
"The others?" Yami asked, confused, as he followed Kasin down a little dirt path leading to the front door.
"Our brothers, Atemu," Kasin replied.
"Wait…brothers?" Yami stopped dead. "Who?"
"You'll see in a minute. Maybe you'll remember then." The man grabbed his arm, firmly but gently, and led him up the porch steps. Placing his hands on the handle, he pushed the door back. It opened with a rusty squeak.
"Prepare yourself," the young man muttered. "And I'll do the explaining."
Yami nodded, still very much confused, and cautiously stepped into the house behind Kasin.
It was very cozy inside. A fire was crackling merrily in a fireplace, and the delicious aroma of food was floating out from around the corner, where the kitchen had to be. A darkened hallway skewed off, leading to the rest of the house. There was a couch in the living room, which, like everything else, looked ancient, with bits of stuffing poking out, and its fabric a faded, pale gray. There were a few old board games, carefully stacked in a corner under a small, hand-built wooden table. A few photographs were hung on the walls, which were white, with the paint peeling at the corners.
A child's head suddenly poked out from the kitchen. Yami caught a glimpse of flaming red hair before the boy disappeared again. "Hey, nii-sama's home!" the child yelled, before he tore around the corner and bounced into Kasin's arms, yelling, "Hey, nii-sama, did you get anything for me?"
Kasin laughed, giving the boy a hug, before saying, "Well, I got you all a surprise."
"Really? What?" Yami realized that Kasin was blocking him from everyone's view. The boy didn't even know he was here.
Now more people were appearing from the kitchen. Another young boy with dark indigo hair; a taller, lean, muscular teen; a little toddler with hair so blonde it was almost white, who had a white dog trotting at his heels; and last, a young man wearing a apron who didn't look much younger than Kasin.
"Nii-sama!" the youngest boy giggled, coming forward to wrap Kasin's leg in a hug. He more bounced than walked, the little dog following faithfully at his heels. But while the child stopped at Kasin, the dog trotted around to Yami, and began sniffing his feet eagerly. All of a sudden, the fluffy white dust mop of an animal started yapping excitedly, dancing around the teen's legs.
Wondering what had jump started the dog, the young child looked behind Kasin, blinking his round doe-colored eyes, which widened considerably when they caught sight of Yami.
"'Temu nii-chan!" he screamed, and tackled the poor teen into a bone breaking hug. "You're back! You're ok! You're back!" He held on with all his strength, squeezing impossible tighter, while repeating, "You're back, you're back!" over and over like a mantra. For such a little kid, he's strong! Yami thought, gritting his teeth. He had no idea how to react. The first idea that popped into his head was to hammer the kid on the head, pry this little monster off and toss him across the room. However, he didn't think Kasin – or anyone else, for that matter – would approve of that. So he did what any sensible person would do. He stood his ground and shot Kasin a desperate, pleading look, hoping the man would rescue him as soon as possible.
"'Temu?" the red-haired child asked, bewildered, peering around his older brother. "Where – Atemu!" And before Yami could even react, he was being squeezed by two over-enthusiastic children, feeling like his back was about to crack. At any rate, his air supply was being rapidly cut off. He considered screaming at Kasin to help, then decided he'd best save what air he still had.
"Umm…" Kasin started, looking worriedly at Yami's face, which was quickly turning a sickly pale. "Boys, maybe you should let him breathe a little."
Yami shot him nasty look that promised revenge later.
"Atemu?" the teen wearing the apron gasped, and all but flew forward to join his younger brothers in the group hug. "Oh, god, Atemu, you're ok!"
"Uhh…" Kasin said weakly, looking helplessly at Yami. "Hey, you really want to let him have some air soon…"
"I…am…going…to…kill…you…" Yami choked, glaring at Kasin for all he was worth. The man flinched and looked down sheepishly.
"You're ok, Atemu. Oh, god, you're really ok…" the teen with the apron muttered in his ear. Yami started to squirm. "Yes, I'm completely and perfectly fine. But I won't be if you keep holding on!" he hissed hoarsely.
Suddenly understanding, the teen released him and stepped back, giving him an apologetic smile. He reached over and pulled the toddler away, too. Kasin hastily grabbed the red haired boy and dragged him off. Yami doubled over, panting and rubbing his sore back, while dearly hoping he would never had another experience like that. It was way too close to suffocating.
"You alright, 'Temu?" Kasin asked, still looking guilty and sheepish.
Yami only scowled at him.
"You're ok, you're ok!" the little toddler continued to sing, dancing around as well as he could while being held back by his brother. He looked like he wanted to dash over and continue his hugging. Yami watched him nervously, ready to dodge at any moment.
The dark-haired child who had stayed back while watching Yami get smothered by the other three came forward, and wrapped his arms around Yami's waist in a gentle embrace. "Welcome back," he whispered. His voice was so soft and warm it instantly softened the teen's eyes. "I missed you."
The last teen, the muscular one, did not come to hug him, but gave him a warm smile.
Unexpectedly, Yami became aware of a soft, golden feeling in his heart, his very soul, as he looked around at these strangers grinning at him. He didn't remember having ever met these people before. And yet, they gave him such a feeling a safety and security…of belonging, of being home.
But still, there was some uneasiness. Who was he, that this family would welcome him so gladly? He was supposed to belong, but had no idea how to act. His heart knew it was in the right place. His mind did not.
Kasin rescued him from having to do anything. Clearing his throat, he said, "Akira, aren't you cooking?"
The apron-clad teen jumped. "Oh no, I'm burning!" he groaned, presumably referring to his meal, and ran off to salvage what he could.
Having been released by his captor, the toddler bounded forward again. Yami took a hasty step back. He felt a rush of relief when the dark-haired boy let go of his waist and grabbed the younger one, saying, "No more, Kijan, you'll kill him."
"Keegan, go help 'Kira," Kasin ordered, giving the red-haired boy a gentle push. The child sighed and obeyed, heading for the kitchen, where Akira could be heard running around in a rush.
"Kaden, come say hi," Kasin suggested, beckoning to the muscular teen – Kaden – who rolled his eyes at his older brother, but came anyway. Suddenly grinning an evil grin, he swept Yami into his arms and lifted him off the ground. Grinning even wider at the younger boy's startled squeak, Kaden planted a small kiss on his forehead. Setting him back down again, he said, "Welcome back," and went off to the kitchen, leaving a very flustered Yami behind him.
The dark-haired child chuckled. "Kaden nii-san's such a softie."
"You are too, Amishi," Kasin laughed, ruffling the boy's hair. "You two go help the others. Akira's probably freaking out by now."
"No doubt. Come on, Kijan." He left with the toddler, the dog following at their heels.
"So, any recovered memories?" Kasin raised an eyebrow at Yami, while removing his shoes. "Any fragment of the past?"
"No. Just a huge headache and a backache, too." He did not mention the warm, fuzzy feeling that still lingered.
Kasin sighed. "Maybe it'll come back bit by bit. But no matter. Missing memories or no, we still love you. Now take off your shoes and let's go get supper."
Yeah, that's a lot of people to keep track of...and don't be shy, leave a review!
