Author's Note: Well, I figured Yami had enough angst for a while, so now it's Yugi's turn! Hopefully this makes up for the shortness of the last chapter...and the lateness of this one.

(Let's just say I've been working on a super special awesome project. With any luck, it might be novel length. Yay!)

...And no, I don't own Yugioh, but I'll be sent to the Shadow Realm and back before I stop writing fanfiction about it.

Chapter Four

Brotherly love

Lavender eyes staring into his empty locker, Yugi did his best to ignore the excited voices that surrounded him.

It was the end of the school day, meaning that the students were now allowed to go home, not to mention opening all of their Valentine's Day gifts.

"And as usual, I'm left out. It's just another fact that girls, not even boys, like me. Not that I actually want another boy liking me. At least..."

Closing his locker with a sigh, Yugi turned to leave, the sudden pain in his heart telling him it was time to go.

"After all." muttered the petite teen, not even bothering to glance over at a group of chattering females as he passed them. "Sticking around to listen only makes it worse."

Yugi had barely taken a step out the front door when he heard two voices calling his name; ones he knew quite well.

"Jounouchi and Honda." sighed the teen's mind. "Right on cue with their yearly pity offering."

It was only for a moment, but when Yugi turned around, he could've sworn that he had seen a pair of large eyes watching him from within a mass of brown fur, stubby green arms confirming the creature's identity before it disappeared.

"K-Kuriboh?"

Not wanting to get trampled by his departing peers, Yugi quickly moved away from the front door, eyes still on the spot where the creature had vanished.

"I must just be tired." he muttered. "Still, it did look pretty real; pretty concerned too. I wonder why?"

Hearing footsteps running across the pavement, Yugi looked up to see Jounouchi and Honda heading towards him, a small plastic bag slung over the blonde's shoulders.

"Didn't you hear us shouting at you!?" cried Jounouchi as soon as they'd reached him. "What were you looking at anyway?"

"You mean you didn't see it?"

The words spilled out before Yugi had a chance to stop them, though, deep down, the teen knew he didn't want to. Why? Because, even though he knew it was impossible, some geeky part of Yugi secretly wished that Kuriboh really had appeared in front of him.

"See what?" asked Honda. "That one girl with the giant bouquet of roses her boyfriend bought her? Or do you mean that couple making out in the main hallway when they thought the teachers weren't looking?"

Yugi just sighed.

"Never mind." he replied, trying to hide his disappointment. "It's not that important. Anyway, guys, I've got homework to do, and grandpa asked me to help run the shop this afternoon, so, uh..."

"Well, if you've really got to get going..." started Jounouchi, a smile on the teen's face as he dug around in the bag he'd been carrying. "At least take this with you."

Yugi blinked as he found a bag of chocolate kisses shoved into his hands.

"Not again."

Even without looking at the packaging, Yugi could tell it was the same candy brand as last year; a fact that made him even more depressed.

"It means nothing's changed. I'm still here, and I'm still alone. Maybe I always will be."

"So, do you like it?" asked Jounouchi, both he and Honda eagerly waiting for their friend's reply.

"Yeah, I do, Jou. Thanks, it...it really means a lot to me."

"Hey, don't worry about it. You just make sure you get home on time."

"Right. I'll, uh, I'll be sure to do that."

Nodding a final goodbye to his friends, Yugi slowly turned and walked away.

The petite teenager didn't get two feet before he broke out into a run, tears already welling up in his eyes.

They were threatening to overflow by the time he reached the sidewalk.

"Damn it! St-stop crying! So what if I'm always alone? No one wants to love me, not like-."

Yugi jumped as he felt a hand upon his shoulder, a female voice gently calling his name.

"Anzu?" he whispered, not daring to speak any louder in case his tone gave away the turbulent emotions within.

"Yeah, that's me." replied the girl, her smile doing little to hide the concern in her eyes.

Anzu, she was like the sister Yugi never had. Always making sure he didn't get flattened when Jounouchi was in the mood to roughhouse, and always ready with the first-aid kit in case he did.

"You want me to walk you home?"

"No, Anzu, I'll...I'll be okay. This happens every year, doesn't it? I'm used to it by now."

"Yugi, don't lie, you know you're bad at it."

Turning to look up at the girl, Yugi gave Anzu his best smile.

"I know."

He then walked away, backpack swinging wildly over his small frame as Yugi again started to run.

"He must be so lonely." whispered the girl as she watched him go. "We really need to do something."

Anzu glanced over as she found Jounouchi and Honda standing next to her, their eyes also watching the departing figure.

"...Anzu." started Jounouchi. "Tell me something. Yugi, is he...is he going to be okay?"

"I wish I knew, Jou, honest I do, but..."

Anzu sighed. "Year after year, even you two get something, but all Yugi has is an empty locker and an even emptier heart. As much as I hate to admit it, we're probably going to have to set him up on a blind date."

The silence that followed was no accident.

"Um, Anzu, no offense to the little guy, but Yugi isn't exactly a girl's idea of a good time. Sure, he's got a heart of gold, we all know that, but most of the girls here don't want to have to bend down to kiss their date goodnight."

"Then what are we going to do? Jounouchi, I'm worried, it isn't like Yugi to get this upset. Last year was bad enough, but I'm afraid he's getting worse!"

"She's right you know." added Honda. "I think some of the teachers are starting to notice it too."

"Which is why we have to something!" cried Anzu, her sudden outburst causing some still lingering classmates to stare. "I'm sorry for shouting, but I really don't want Yugi getting dragged into the counselor's office. Helpful or not, he doesn't like having the faculty fuss over him."

"Me either." replied Jounouchi. "He'll never become a proper man that way. Besides, if Yugi slips and mentions Yami, being dateless will soon become the least of our little friend's worries."

"Yami?" muttered Honda, his changing facial expressions showing he was thinking about something. "I wonder."

As if having second thoughts, the teen quickly shook his head. "Na, it wouldn't work; too weird."

"Honda." warned Anzu, cerulean eyes giving her friend a less then satisfied glare. "You do realize Yugi is the only sixteen year old in our entire school who hasn't been on a date yet, right? If you have an idea, I'm more then willing to hear it."

"Yeah, but I really don't think the spirit of the Puzzle is gay, and, if he is, he's been hiding it pretty well."

A minute later, and the girl was still staring.

"Gay?" she mouthed. "Guys, I really wish you'd think first before saying stuff like that. I mean, this is Yami; he can't be gay."

"We don't know that for sure, Anzu." replied Jounouchi. "I mean, the only one who talks with him on a regular basis is Yugi."

"Yeah, but..."

"I know it's tough, but you just have to wake up to the fact that Yami isn't interested in you."

"I still don't think he's gay."

"We could always ask him." suggested Honda. "Besides, we should at least see if Yugi made it home."

Anzu nodded in agreement.

"Fine, but I don't to hear anyone harassing the spirit about his relationship preferences. Understood?"

"Yes, mom." chimed Jounouchi and Honda, their voices in perfect unison.

Anzu just groaned.

"Why do I put up with you guys?"

"Because we're all you've got." replied Jounouchi. "Now let's go."


The kitchen door to the Mutou residence suddenly swung open, the teen running though it too distraught to remove his sneakers, even after his petite frame had landed in a nearby chair.

Yugi, he had run the entire way home, but the pain inside him now was more then just physical exhaustion.

"Why does this keep on happening?" whispered Yugi as he watched his backpack fall to the floor, the bag of sweets Jounouchi had given him soon following. "I'm nice, aren't I? Why should I have to watch and wait while everyone else finds that special someone?"

"Sweetie..." started a voice as the teen felt a hand upon his back. "I hope you already know, but high school love doesn't last forever. Those relationships won't make it past the first day of college."

"Hi, mom."

Yugi didn't even bother looking up as he felt himself wrapped in a warm embrace.

"Bad day?" continued the woman, concerned eyes looking down at her only son.

"More like lonely."

"Do you want to talk about it, or would a cup of hot chocolate be better? I've just made some."

Yugi just sighed.

"Thanks, mom, really, but, right now, I...I just want to be left alone."

"Oh. Well, if you still want to talk, you know where to find me."

The boy's mother suddenly smiled. "You could also ask Yami about it. He always seems willing to help."

"Yami?" repeated Yugi, his tone increasing with every syllable. "Mom, weren't you even listening this morning?! Yami does not want to talk to me or anybody!"

"...And I...I don't know why."

That fact, that sad and confusion causing fact, it hurt Yugi even more then being dateless on the holiday of love did.

The teen looked up as he heard a concerned voice enter his consciousness.

"...Aibou?"

"Y-Yami? W-where are you?"

"In the Puzzle. Now, what's wrong? I heard you shouting."

"...Nothing. I'm fine."

"I beg to differ, Aibou. Don't make me ask again."

Yugi just sighed.

"Leave me alone." he muttered.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"I know. That's the problem."

It took Yugi a few seconds to realize that another hand was on his shoulder; one with a touch he didn't recognize.

His mother was also staring, but the person she was staring at...

"Aibou, why is your mother looking at me like that?"

"Yami?!"

Body quickly spinning around, Yugi found it somewhat ironic that he was now gawking like his mother at the apparently solid figure of his twin. "Wait, solid!? But...how?"

"Surprised to see me, Aibou?" asked Yami, violet eyes showing an amused light.

"Yeah, I...I am. Shouldn't you be off sulking somewhere?"

"Yugi, be nice!" chastised the boy's mother, hands moving to disapprovingly bat her son's head.

"Why? Mom, all day long I was hoping he'd talk to me. A little pep talk, some good advice, jokingly threatening to Mind Crush someone if they didn't take me out on a date. Anything just to make me forget!"

Yami was forced to take a step back as a wave of pain and emotional hurt collided with his unsuspecting consciousness.

"This feeling, I...I don't think I've ever seen Aibou act this way before! And somehow, even though it isn't, I...I can't help feeling that it's all my fault."

Gathering his senses, Yami decided the best plan of action was to talk Yugi out of his mood. "Or at least through it."

"I'm guessing this Valentine's day didn't go as planned, Aibou?"

Yami blinked as he found two lavender eyes staring sadly into his.

"It never does." whispered Yugi. "I mean, it's one thing not to get a gift, but another to have your best friends buy one for you. Every single year..."

"I see."

"How? You were hiding in the Puzzle all day, remember? What I don't understand is why you were too scared to tell me that you now have your own body. I mean, why? Crazed history aside, you're practically fearless!"

Yami sighed.

"I beg to differ, Aibou. In fact, right now there is one thing I know of that scares me even more then the fact I almost lost you to the Shadows while we were dueling for our lives against Pegasus."

"So that...that wasn't it?"

"No, Yugi, it...wasn't. I'm sorry, but-."

"Fine, don't tell me!"

It was quite obvious that the situation was taking a turn for the worse, but Yami never imagined it would lead to Yugi shouting at him.

"Aibou, I can-."

His words were drowned out by the sounds of a chair being pushed back.

"I don't want to hear it, Yami. Here, you take the candy! I-I'm going to bed!"

Yami watched as a colorful, plastic bag was tossed in his direction, Yugi running in the other.

It wasn't long before the sounds of feet running up the stairs could be heard, the noise promptly followed by a slamming door.

"...Aibou."

Yugi's mother was the first to break the sounds of uneasy silence that came afterwards.

"He gets this way every year." she said, more to herself then to the teen still standing in the room. "Seeing how upbeat and cheerful he usually is, most people wouldn't believe Yugi could get so..."

"Emotional?" suggested Yami, kneeling down to pick up his Aibou's backpack and shoes when he saw the woman reaching for them. "He has a kind heart, one that refuses to look the other way when a stranger needs help. Now, I'm sure most people would have given up years ago, but Yugi..."

Yami smiled. "Yugi spent eight years working on a golden pyramid. Spent eight years saving a life that he didn't even know existed, and for that I am eternally grateful. I only hope..."

"Only hope what?" asked Yugi's mother, noticing a hint of sadness flickering within violet eyes.

The subtle tones of fear were not overlooked either.

"Nothing."

Knowing that he was now being scrutinized by a mother's gaze, Yami busied himself with tossing Yugi's belongings into a nearby closet.

"I'll go check on Aibou once I'm done here."

Unfortunately, that was not to be the case.

Turning around, Yami was surprised to see that Yugi's mother was still inspecting him, a fact that slightly unnerved the usually confident teen.

"Yes?"

"Yami, don't take this the wrong way, but..."

As if having trouble putting her thoughts into words, the woman suddenly frowned. "I just have to say, from the way Yugi always talked about you, I didn't expect someone so..."

Yami watched as the woman's gaze lowered from his face to scan the rest of him, lingering only for a moment at his chest before returning.

"I understand." he replied. "Sleeping in jeans isn't exactly comfortable for me, though I usually change before going out in public. It's just that I didn't have the chance this time."

"Because you sensed my son was in trouble, right?"

Yami nodded.

"Aibou saved my life. Protecting his is the least I can do to thank him."

Yugi's mother just smiled.

"I think he really appreciates you looking out for him like that. More then you may think."

"How so?"

A feminine chuckle soon met the teen's waiting ears.

"Well, Yami, in case you haven't realized it by now, and I really hope you have, but Yugi really looks up to you. To be honest, you're practically like an older brother to him."

"As a brother." muttered Yami to himself. "I should have known."

"You mean you...you didn't?"

Yami had opened his mouth to reply, when his attention suddenly pivoted to focus on the door that Yugi had come barreling through only minutes before.

"Someone's out there, and they are not alone."

The teen smiled as he heard familiar footsteps now approaching. "But I think they're friends; Yugi's to be precise."

"How do you-."

The woman's question was cut short by the sounds of a door being pushed open.

"Hey, Yugi, are you home!?" shouted Jounouchi as he barged into the kitchen, Honda and Anzu right behind him.

"Jounouchi!" hissed the girl. "You don't go storming into other people's houses like that."

"Yugi doesn't care, Anzu. He loves my dramatic entrances."

"Dramatic, right. As dramatic as a bull in a china store."

Jounouchi wasn't even listening. He had spotted the spiky haired figure standing next to the table, and had promptly run over to say hello.

"Hey, Yugi, glad to see you made it home. We got pretty worried when you took off like that, so Honda suggested we...wow, nice clothes. Christmas come early this year?"

"Not unless everyone on the planet decided to move it to February." replied Yami, a hand moving up to play with one of his bangs. "And since we haven't..."

"Um, Jounouchi..." started Anzu, taking a few tentative steps closer to the table. "I hate to be the one to break it to you, but that person in front of you? That's not Yugi."

"What? Anzu, you honestly think I would get my little buddy mixed up with...wait."

Jounouchi frowned, mind deep in concentration as he examined his shorter friend. "Hold on, I...I think you're right. Yugi would never wear anything this bold, let alone sexy. Yami, on the other hand, that guy is just begging to get laid. Shame he's just a spirit though, because I know some real cute girls at school who'd-."

"Please, just stop talking." interrupted Yami, trying his best to keep his composure. "I really don't want to hear anymore."

The teen could sense Yugi's mother watching him out of the corner of her eyes, and even though he was used to taking risks, not to mention being downright reckless, Yami knew better then to invoke the unpredictably that came with dealing with those of the opposite gender.

"Especially if she figures out what I'm keeping from Aibou. That alone would be a mess; one that would challenge even Kaiba's terrifying reputation."

"Yeah, you're probably right." replied Jounouchi, nodding in agreement. "I still think some of those girls should get a head scan though. Anyway, Yami, think you could get Yugi to come out? I was hoping to check up on him."

Yami just sighed.

"You weren't here to witness it, so I'll spare you the details, but, after seeing Aibou's reaction to his day, I believe it's best we leave him alone for a while. I would like to hear what happened though."

Violet eyes flashing out of a mixture of rage and confusion at how someone could hurt such a good soul, the teen turned to face his partner's friends. "After all, someone must be responsible."

"How about the entire school?" muttered Anzu. "I mean, in a way, we all helped start this, though not very many people have tried to stop it, seeing as it happens every year."

She sighed. "I'd drag that poor boy out on a date myself if he'd let me. He just doesn't seem interested."

"Probably because you've boxed yourself in as the best friend, and bodyguard type." replied Jounouchi. "I mean, breaking out the first-aid kit, and telling the guys picking on him to get lost isn't exactly the best way to get a man to fall for you."

"Well, someone has to look out for him while you guys are getting Detention for skipping History for the umpteenth time." countered the girl, arms crossed. "Anyway, we should get going. Mom wanted me home an hour ago, and I've got a Science test to study for too."

"Don't remind me." sighed Honda, already following Anzu to the door. "My folks have threatened me with summer school if I keep flunking everything but gym."

"All the more reason for you boys to crack open a book, and actually learn something. Now, Jounouchi, I'm sure your parents would appreciate a little more effort out of you as well, so we can study at my place."

"Wonderful." groaned the blonde, the hand moving to smack his face showing he was in clear opposition of the next few hours. "Yami, if I don't make it out alive, tell Yugi he can have my deck and all my tapes. I keep them under a pile of dirty socks at the foot of my bed."

"Um, I will?"

"You'd better. Last thing I need is dad finding them, even after I'm dead."

Yami just nodded.

"Oh, and one more thing. I was, uh, wanting to ask..."

"Yes?"

"Where'd Yugi get those nice clothes? I mean, I know the guy has a pretty unique taste in fabrics, but that outfit doesn't look like leather."

"It's not." replied Yami. "It's silk."

"Seriously?!" cried the blonde, taking a step back in shock. "Damn. Somebody has expensive tastes."

"Well, it is the best outfit I own, though I usually change out of-."

"Wait, those things, they're yours?!"

Yami just frowned.

"Didn't I just get through saying that?"

"Yeah, but, I mean, you're a dead guy, right? Where do dead people get such expensive clothes?"

"The zombies bring them to us."

Yami knew Jounouchi was a little touchy when it came to the subject of the supernatural, but some things were too good to resist.

"Aibou will probably give me one of his unhappy, pouting looks if he finds out, though I don't really mind. He's cute when he's sulking; just like a puppy."

Returning to reality, Yami found Jounouchi slowly digesting the recently discovered information.

"Zombies." muttered the blonde. "Well, if they're helping the spirit, then they must be nice. Evil zombies don't help people; they just eat their brains."

"Um, is he okay?" asked Yugi's mother, a concerned look cast in Jounouchi's direction.

"He's fine."

"Yeah, as long as those zombies keep being nice, there's nothing to worry about." replied Jounouchi, a satisfied smile on his face. "Tell 'em they're doing a good job too. To be honest, Yami, I actually felt sorry for you. We all were convinced you didn't have anything, but the Puzzle, so-."

"I have things, Jounouchi. " snapped Yami, his patience wearing thin. "Not much, but I do own more then what I'm wearing. Now, if you would excuse me."

Pausing to pick up the bag of sweets Yugi had thrown at him, Yami gave the blonde one final glance, then vanished.

Suddenly, the fact zombies could be nice became the least of Jounouchi's concerns.

Now upstairs, Yami had materialized in Yugi's bedroom to check up on him; eyes softening as he found the petite teen asleep on his bed, a deck that could only be Yugi's spread out beside him.

"He must be tired; I'll let him rest."

Curiosity getting the better of him, Yami flipped over a few of the nearer cards to see that they weren't from the deck Yugi and he usually dueled with.

"Where did he get these? The monsters look like toys. Well, except that one; it looks like a marshmallow, only with teeth. Cute, I guess, but not exactly a tournament winning deck. Probably why Aibou hasn't shown them to me."

Moving to the window, Yami's eyes were drawn to three familiar figures walking down the sidewalk, concerned forms glancing back at the house every few seconds, before finally rounding the corner to another street.

"I probably shouldn't have done that." he sighed, knowing most people weren't used to him suddenly disappearing at will.

"Done what?" muttered Yugi, eyes blinking open as he rolled over to face his twin. "Or is that a secret too?"

"Aibou, I know you're still upset with me, but..."

Yami sighed. "What am I doing? I can't just come out, and say it. He'd freak!"

"Try me."

"What?"

Violet eyes met lavender, and one silent mind ventured out to converse with the other.

"Yami, I know people think I'm weak. The guys at school don't even bother asking me to play sports with them at lunch anymore. I don't need you agreeing with them."

"I never said I did."

"But you are. By not telling me the truth, you think you're protecting me from whatever is out there, but you're not. You're only..."

Yugi paused as he watched Yami's face change from concern to one of confusion.

"Aibou thinks there is a new threat on the horizon?"

"Um, duh? Yami, I know you, and I also know that practically nothing scares you. So, if some crazed duelist has us marked for death, I really think you should let me know. You know, just in case I go missing?"

Yami couldn't help, but smile at the other teen's annoyed expression. Something about the way Yugi crossed his arms and frowned whenever he was unhappy.

"Aibou, I promise, if there ever is an attempt on your life that I can not protect you from, I will let you know."

"So, no wild axe murders are coming through the window?"

"...What?"

"Yami, it's the way you've been acting. If there isn't a new threat, then what's the problem? I'm really getting worried."

"So am I, Aibou. So am I."

"And again with the evasive answers."

Sighing in frustration, Yugi gathered up his cards and dumped them into an old shoe box he had on his desk. "I'm really starting to regret not getting a chance to talk to that Kuriboh. The floating fur ball would've probably given me a better answer then you did."

"Kuriboh?" asked Yami, waiting until Yugi was back on his bed before speaking. "What does Kuriboh have to do with this, and when did you see him?"

"What do you care? And why are you calling it a guy? I thought Kuriboh were genderless."

"Asexual probably, seeing as you only need one to use Multiply."

Yugi promptly blinked.

"And science class suddenly takes on a whole new meaning." muttered the teen. "Amazing. Now if only I could use my newfound knowledge to get laid."

"Use your powers for good, Yugi, not evil."

"Evil?" repeated the smaller teen. "Yami, do you realize what you just said? We're talking about girls here, and sex too; all in the same sentence! This is not something bad, okay?!"

"If you say so."

Yugi just frowned.

"Yami, I'm seriously starting to believe, that, where ever you came from, you've never been kissed by a girl, let alone gotten within five feet of one."

"Which probably means they weren't good enough. I do have high standards, you know."

"Right. I've never once seen you look at any of the girls we pass on the street, and some of them were model quality."

"And you were, Aibou? Getting distracted while crossing a busy road is dangerous."

"At this point, I don't really care. All I've wanted since puberty was a girl to make out with on the couch when mom wasn't home. Is that too much to ask?"

"A girl." repeated Yami. "So he doesn't want a guy. Although I already knew it, having to face the truth just makes it so much harder."

"What was that? I couldn't hear the last part."

Yugi frowned when he found the party at the other end silent. "Fine, be that way. I have better things to worry about, like how I'm going to convince mom to let me stay home on White Day."

"White Day?" asked Yami, now transparent, and sitting at the foot of the bed. "What is this 'White Day'?"

"The worst day of my life."

Yugi sighed as the spirit gave him a confused look. "Don't worry, I'll explain. Yami, if you get a gift from a girl on Valentine's Day, you're supposed to return the favor by buying them something worth at least three times as much as what they bought you a month later. At least, that's what I've heard, seeing as I never actually get anything."

"A gift." muttered Yami, eyes falling to rest upon the bag of sweets in his hands.

He was still unsure why Yugi had chosen to toss them at him instead of handing the sweets over to his mother, but decided it was simply a spur-of-the-moment decision.

"Yeah, now get the hell out of my room."

"As you wish."

Yami spent the rest of the day in his own bedroom, eyes contemplating the bag of chocolates in front of him.

Technically, Yugi had given them to him, but to be honest, the spirit wasn't quite sure how to respond.

"I know it was just a result of his terrible day, but still, something in me refuses to let this opportunity go."

"But what would be worth three times the amount of chocolate? And more importantly, would Aibou even accept it if I gave him a gift?"

Suddenly feeling frustrated, Yami fell back onto his bed, eyes boring invisible holes into the ceiling.

"I don't have much to offer him as it is." he sighed. "Maybe I should just-."

The spirit's eyes softened as he heard the sounds of a lonely teenager wanting to be loved.

Yugi was crying, or, at least his heart was.

"Poor Aibou. I have to do something for him. I'll learn more about this White Day, give him a gift and then..."

Yami sighed. "And then what? Profess my undying love for the boy, and hope he doesn't hate me? His mother told me herself that Yugi thinks of me as a brother. I would never forgive myself for turning that into something he doesn't agree to."

"Then what am I going to do? A month doesn't seem to be nearly enough time, but it's all I have. I'll think of something...I hope."

Author's Note: So, uh, was this chapter worth the random vanishing act? Had a terrible time cramming everything in there, while still keeping the plot intact and moving, but hey, Yugi saw Kuriboh, and Jou had a revelation about zombies, so I think I did pretty good. That's just my opinion anyway; you can tell me what you thought in a review if you want. (Hint hint.)

On another note, it seems this simple rewrite has turned into a full blown makeover. Scary, and yet surprisingly fun.