I wasn't quite sure where this one was going when I started writing it. But I like where it ended up at. Turned out much more interesting than I thought it would.

I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Love of the Dark

Chapter 3

"Never lived, never died, they call you… Lucifer's Angel…" Lucifer's Angel – The Rasmus

Yugi opened his mouth to answer him, but before he could, Yami disappeared. He didn't want to hear the rejection in Yugi's voice again. The moment he left, the shadows vanished and the light surrounding Yugi and Ishizu faded away. Collapsing down onto his knees, Yugi stared at the spot his other half once stood. There was no denying it now. He knew Yami was the other half of his soul. The light that he used to protect himself and Ishizu was the last little bit he needed to convince him of that fact. And now that he knew that, it was too late.

"Are you okay, Yugi?" Ishizu's voice slowly broke through the shock and anguish and he looked up at her. She was bent over, her hand resting on his shoulder as she gazed at him. He could see the concern and fear in her eyes as she waited for him to respond. The only thing he couldn't figure out was if she was afraid of Yami… or of him.

"Yeah… I think so," he replied as he slowly stood up and nodded his head. The shock was mostly from finding out that Yami was right. That they were the other half to each other. With each passing moment, he slowly became used to the idea and found himself actually curious about all that it involved…

"That light…" she said hesitantly as she moved away from him. She sat back down in her chair and began to rearrange the papers on her desk. Her eyes avoided his, afraid of the answer that she already knew to be true. Still… she felt compelled to ask. She needed him to confirm what she already thought as she spoke, "Was that… was it yours?"

"I…" he hesitated. He wasn't sure he wanted to tell her the truth. Would she look at him like she did Yami? As if he were a freak? Before he met Atem, and especially after, he met too many people who looked at him like that. He didn't want to be looked at like that ever again. Not when for once in his life he finally felt normal. So he did the one thing he never thought he'd do. Lie to a friend. Shaking his head softly, he said, "I don't know…"

With that, he turned and left Ishizu sitting at her desk looking after him. He wandered through the halls of the museum until he got outside. His mind was a whirlwind of confused thoughts, most of them focusing around Yami. He wasn't intending to reject him… he just didn't want Ishizu to die because he sought her help. Part of his heart shattered at the look of betrayal that crossed Yami's face and that confused him the most. Why did he value Yami's opinion so much? Why was making the other happy so important to him all of a sudden?

His heart knew the answer. Whether or not they both wanted to admit it, Yami was once a part of Atem and Yugi loved Atem. Yes, Yami wasn't Atem, not anymore anyway. But he was the closest thing Yugi had to Atem and the thought of losing him after finding him so soon caused something within Yugi to die a little and he never wanted to experience it for real. Despite that, Yugi couldn't get past the fact that Yami was going to kill Ishizu. True, in a way Ishizu threatened to kill Yami first, but Yami actually acted on it.

He took a step and slammed into something hard. His body bounced backwards and he landed on the ground with a thump. Wincing at the pain that shot through his backside, he looked up into the face of his best friend.

"Why don't ya… Yugi!" Joey exclaimed as he reached a hand down to help Yugi back up onto his feet. He wore a surprised look on his face as he said, "Ya look like ya just saw a ghost. What's wrong, pal?"

Usually the most oblivious of their group, Joey slowly was becoming better at reading people around him thanks to the help of a cranky billionaire that they all knew. As he stood up, Yugi looked around and murmured, "I, uhh… don't think here is a good place to talk about it."

"C'mon then," Joey said with a motion of his hand and turned around. He led Yugi through the streets a short distance away and into a tall stone building. It looked like it was built back in the early 1900's or so in Yugi's opinion. He blinked in surprise when he realized it was a library that Joey just led him into. The blonde led the way to a secluded corner where a low table surrounded by comfortable chairs sat and he plopped down into one as he said, "Alright. What's eatin' at ya pal?"

"I think I just made a huge mistake…" Yugi said as he sat down and buried his face into his hands. He wasn't sure if it was the smartest thing to tell Joey after what happened in Ishizu's office, but he really needed to talk to someone. His mind was still whirling and if he didn't do something… well, he wasn't sure what he was going to do, but he knew he really wanted to talk to someone. Lifting his head slightly so Joey could hear him, he started to explain, "Through some twisted spell Atem did and the Gods' will, Yami is here. Not the Atem we knew when he left, but the being he was before we all realized he existed. The darker being we first encountered. But he's not Atem. He's all the darkness that Atem was. It's hard to explain and I know it sounds crazy. If it were simply me going insane, I would be the first to lock myself up and toss the key away, but Ishizu saw him too. I went to her today to see if she could help explain what was going on… I made such a stupid mistake!"

Joey was quiet for a few moments as he processed everything Yugi was saying the best he could. He took a deep breath as he said, "Okay, so lemme get this straight. Yami, who was part of Atem but not really him, is here and I'm assumin' came to see ya. Then ya went to Ishizu for more answers and… something bad happened, didn't it?"

"Ishizu said she would try and find a way to get rid of him so I would be left in peace," Yugi said as he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He suddenly felt drained as he continued, "I didn't want that at all. I just wanted answers. Yami showed up just before she said that and said he would never let me go, which given that he was hugging me and it felt really good did not sound as possessive then as it does now. After Ishizu said that, Yami tried to attack her and I protected her form him. Now he thinks I've betrayed him…"

"Ya kinda did, pal," Joey said slowly and hesitantly. He almost didn't want to believe Yugi, but after all of the stuff they went through… it didn't really surprise him either. Swallowing, he continued, "Put yourself in his shoes. He was left here all alone and the only thing really familiar with him is you… then Ishizu threatens to all but kill him, how else would he react? And ya didn't really help, Yug…"

"I… I didn't really think about it that way…" he said as he opened his eyes to look at Joey. Since when did the blonde become so smart about things? Even a few short months ago, he doubted Joey would be saying this to him. What happened to him and where was the Joey they were all used to? Not that it was a bad thing, he thought. He just wasn't used to Joey sounding so rational.

"So what're ya gonna do?" Joey asked. He loved Yugi like a brother, there was no doubt about that. But sometimes his best pal could be a little dense. Yugi had a heart of gold and he was grateful because it gave him the chance to have a best pal like no other, but sometimes the smaller guy was oblivious to things around him.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Yami obviously cares for ya and you upset him pretty badly by siding with someone that wanted to kill him. What're ya gonna do about that?" he replied with a tilt of his head. He almost looked like a puppy dog right then and there that Yugi fought back a laugh. But he did have a point. What was he going to do about it?

"I… if I knew where Yami was, I'd talk to him, I guess," Yugi said after a few moments worth of thought. He definitely owed the other an apology. But how was he supposed to apologize if he didn't even have a clue as to where Yami might be? He came and went like the ghost he claimed not to be.

"If I know Yami," Joey said with a small smile, "All ya have to do is go home. If his claims about wanting to protect ya are true, then ya won't have to go far to find him. Most likely he'll seek ya out now that you aren't near her."

"We really need to talk about how smart you've become," Yugi said as he stood up and turned away from Joey. He wore a smile on his face with a determined look in his eyes. It was sight Joey hadn't seen in quite some time as he said, "But later. I need to go apologize. Thanks Joey!"

"Anytime, Yug," Joey replied as he watched his best friend all but dart out of the library with an apologetic laugh to the librarian when she told him not to run. A small frown appeared on Joey's face. It looked like their time of peace and happiness was about to end.

"I owe you my gratitude, Joey," a silky baritone said from behind him. Joey didn't bother to turn around. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was that spoke, "I was expecting another claim like Ishizu's. You have my thanks for supporting him."

"He's my best pal, Yami… and you're bringing something back to him that I haven't seen in a while," Joey said quietly. As loathed as he was to admit it, Yami made Yugi perk up and show a little of the person he used to be, "I don't trust ya, but… he needs ya. Who am I to stand in the way?"

"You are a much better person than people give you credit, Joey," Yami said quietly as he began to fade back into the shadows.

"If you hurt him…"

"No need to worry. I will do my utmost best to keep him happy," Yami said as he paused and smiled at the back of Joey's head. Where it angered him to be threatened by Ishizu, he felt nothing but pride for Joey for standing up to him. After listening to Yugi talk about how he attacked Ishizu, it showed just how brave Joey could be. As he faded into the shadows, "But if I don't, I give you my permission to do as you wish to me."

Yugi ran as fast as he could to the game shop. If Joey was right, then Yami would seek him out there. It was safe for the both of them. The game shop represented happier times and the only place in the world where they both felt some measure of safety during everything that happened. He raced through the door, just barely calling out a hello to his grandpa before darting up the stairs and into his room. Slamming the door behind him, he called out, "Yami?"

Silence was all that greeted him and his shoulders slumped. Joey was wrong. Yami wasn't going to talk to him. He really did ruin his only chance of possibly having happiness… He turned and headed back downstairs, intent on apologizing to his grandpa for the rushed hello. He didn't want to lose hope just yet. Perhaps if he gave Yami time, then they'd be able to work everything out… He dearly hoped so.

Yami watched him pad back downstairs looking for all the world like his kitten just got hit by a car. Part of him ached at seeing Yugi so sad like this, but he had to remind himself why he wasn't going to talk to Yugi just yet. No matter how much he wanted to, Yugi needed to learn that he wasn't Atem. That he wasn't just going to forgive him so easily like Atem would. He loved Yugi, yes that much was true, but what his little one did hurt a lot. He didn't want to leave it like this, but Yugi needed to learn. And he… he needed time to let the anger pass before he talked to him again.

Plus there was also something he wanted to take care of before he talked to his light again. His eyes glittered dangerously as he stepped back into the shadows and faded away. Those who sought to get in between him and Yugi needed to be taken care of. He knew just where to start.

The museum was closed and darkened by the time Yami got there. He chose to walk to the museum instead of just using the shadows to go straight to Ishizu's office. He wanted to make sure everything was closed and that would give him a better chance of being alone with her. Checking to make sure that the place was closed, he stepped back into the shadows of a nearby alleyway and disappeared.

Stepping out of the shadows into a hallway where Ishizu's office was located, he made his way closer. His footsteps were soundless as he moved and he grinned when he saw the light to her office still on. Approaching the door, he paused when he heard voices come from within. Pressing his ear to the door, he listened in with a small frown.

"I gave you enough time, Ishtar," a deep male voice said. Yami tried to remember if he ever heard the voice before, but couldn't place it. He listened even closer as the voice continued, "You've been here for almost 2 weeks now. You should've had the location!"

"I was there! I remember where it was! But only he can be the one to open it," she all but yelled back at him. He heard something slam down onto a desk and he could only assume it was her hands slamming down onto it. He pressed closer in an attempt to hear more as she spoke again, "I'm doing the best I can. And a complication has come up."

"Complication?"

"Nothing I can't handle," Yami heard her say in reply. He could imagine her sitting back down and all but dismissing the man in the room with her. His breathing was shallow as he strained to hear her next words, "I just need a little bit more time…"

"No," the man said. He heard a shuffling noise and tried to figure out what was going on. Just who was in there with Ishizu? He was all but pressed against the door as the man spoke again, "You have no more time, Ishtar. I will handle this myself."

"Wait, no! Please…!" Ishizu's voice was cut off mid speech by a gunshot and Yami jerked away from the door as if burned. He stared wide eyed at the door, his mouth open in shock. Did he really hear… was Ishizu really…?

He quickly fled to the shadows when he heard the door begin to open. He faded from sight just as the man stepped out. If only the shadows would give him the ability to hide everything but his eyes, he would be able to see who it was! Mentally cursing, he waited several long moments, unsure if the person was gone or not. Being careful to slip out of the shadows a good distance from Ishizu's office, he silently made his way down the hallway again. Being careful not to touch anything, he stepped into the office and looked around. His breath caught in his throat at the sight that awaited him.

Blood was splattered all over the wall behind Ishizu's desk. The woman in question was slumped over the desk, blood pooling out onto the hard wood surface. He was very careful not to step into anything or touch any blood as he moved around the desk and carefully felt for her pulse. There was none.

Ishizu was dead.

A single day passed and Yugi was sitting on the couch glumly, still upset that he wasn't able to get a hold of Yami. He tried all the night before to talk to him, but he never showed up. Yugi was starting to get upset and lose hope. Perhaps he really screwed up and Yami never wanted to see him again… he flipped through more channels on the TV. when he came across a news announcement. Sitting up, he stared in shock at the broadcast.

"A security guard at Domino Museum discovered the body of Ishizu Ishtar today. She was found slumped over on her desk, apparently shot to death. Police are still looking for clues as to what happened and why. Serena, channel 2's crime reporter is on the scene. Serena, what can you tell us?" the read headed news anchor said to the audience watching.

Yugi sat staring at the screen, not hearing a word that was said after that. He couldn't believe it. Ishizu was dead… His mind flashed back to the incident between her, Yami, and himself and he felt fear gripping his throat. It couldn't be… Yami wouldn't kill her…

Would he?

Oh boy... Trouble's stirring for Yami and Yugi.

Wynter: Hopefully we'll find out who the mystery killer is and who "he" is that can open whatever it is they were talking about...

Don't forget to review!

Jaa!