Recap:

It was a terrible thing, I had sympathized with the Yami after I learned his past. It wasn't exactly under the Pharaoh's rule but his father's. Since his father was dead, the Thief had chosen to take it out on the son of the former Pharaoh. The former Thief had exacted his revenge on the Pharaoh's father but not the Pharaoh himself. Bakura had walked me home, for what reason, I wasn't sure of but it was nice. Ryou probably asked him to, he reminded me of tonight. I nodded and walked over to the table. "Hey...my calender..." This wasn't like this when I left. My calender had been drug out, who had been in my room? I walked down the stairs to ask my Grandfather. "Hey Grandpa, has anyone been in my room?" Upon hearing the reply that no one had been, "Okay Grandpa. Thanks!" I told him and walked back to my room, if no one had been in my room then why was it moved? "Who could've been here? It's not possible unless..." I trailed off, my eyes turning toward the puzzle. "It couldn't be." I gave a shrug as I sat down on my bed and laid back. I was tired, maybe I'd take a nap before I went to Ryou's house for game night.

Present:

Yugi's P.O.V.

I had woken at 5:30 that evening, just before I was supposed to head over to Bakura's, well, Ryou's house. I figured I might as well go take a shower and eat before I leave, I'm sure I can be a few minutes late. They probably won't mind, at least, I hoped they didn't. Ryou would surely keep Bakura under a tight leash if I arrived a few moments late. Besides, I was sure it was nothing important at all. So, who cared? I certainly didn't, but I did not want to make them wait anymore than I had too. I gathered my clothes and headed to the bathroom, sighing as my thoughts strayed to the Pharaoh.

He had been gone for so long...would he ever return? I thought what we had would keep him here...I guess I was wrong though... Maybe I wasn't good enough for him...I don't know...I shouldn't even be thinking about him... Not tonight. Not now, I can grieve later for him when I get home. Even though I shouldn't....' I walked to the bathroom door and shut it behind me, turning the lock to assure no one would walk in on me. Grandpa had a habit of doing that for some reason, I didn't understand why but I didn't care.

I set my clothing down on the sink's countertop and shed my clothes, I turned on the water and waited for it to warm up. Before long, the water was nearly scalding hot. Perfect, I stepped into the shower and began to clean up. My hair came first, then the rest of my body. I tended to scrub myself raw just to assure myself that I was clean, with my skin pink and shiny. I stepped from the shower's stall and reached for a towel, wrapping it tight around my waist. I began to fix my hair back into it's spiky state, nothing like the Pharaoh's but pretty close.

I finished up quickly in the bathroom and dressed, draping the towel around my shoulders. I sighed, partially content and returned to my room to pull on my socks and shoes. I glanced at the wall, 5:45. I still had time for something quick to eat before I left for Ryou's. I placed my hand on the bedside table where the puzzle rested, I had knocked it off accidently. I knew because it fell, the chain striking my shoeless foot. I hissed, pulling on my other shoe and tying it. I reached down to pick up the puzzle, "damn it..." I sighed then froze at the sudden contact, it wasn't physical but mental. "It couldn't be..." the presence within my mind seemed sad, desperate for something and depressed.

'Pharaoh...?' I thought through the link. A surprised feeling came through the link then, 'Aibou!' The feeling became excited, I didn't know if it was my own or his. I didn't believe it at first, draping the chain around my neck. His spirit came out and stood next to me, 'Aibou!' I barely noticed, my heart almost broke from the strain of his return. "Pharaoh!" I cried, hugging onto him tightly. I felt like crying, I buried my face into his chest and held onto him tightly.

"I can't believe you're back...after so long..." I murmured lowly, "I've really missed you..."I felt his arms wrap themselves around me, his hand tilting my chin up as he placed a gentle kiss to my lips. 'Aibou...I've missed you so much... My heart felt like it had been torn out...without you by my side... I love you so...' he whispered softly, holding me close. I returned his kiss, closing my eyes. It was sweet, though short as he pulled back to speak.

I listened then placed another kiss to his lips, murmuring against them. "Never...put me through that again.. It almost killed me...I don't think I could take it again.." "You are...my everything.." he whispered to me softly. Those words hurt, but they sent my heart into a break-neck pace. They meant so much to me, I had waited for him to return and here he was. It was like nothing that I had imagined, his return was far different than I pictured. Though it was still amazing, almost perfect. "We need to go...Bakura is expecting us..." I murmured lowly. He bristled at the name, ready for a comeback but I silenced him. "No complaints, Bakura has been very helpful and supportive while you were gone..."

Third Person's P.O.V.

That knowledge had shocked him, it had shocked Yugi at first as well. That Bakura could be anything other than cruel and mean, he often acted much like a predator. A king of beasts on the hunt for his next meal, surprisingly Bakura had offered himself to Yugi as a friend. To be there when he needed it most, and he was. Bakura had honored their pact quite well, though he resembled the Pharaoh, Yugi was just another person to him. He hadn't hurt him in anyway possible. Yugi had been kind and understanding, forgiving even.