Me: Okay, here goes chapter 4 :) I'm attempting to stay ahead on this story, and manage to keep up with my other stories. So, a larger time skip here by eight years. Because I just felt like moving it along... Anyway, Atem is 16 now :) I do not own YGO or anything pertaining to YGO ^w^

To Fragments of Imagination: Atem actually meets Heba this chapter :) Enjoy! :)


Kotonaru

Chapter 4

New Friend

Atem was laying on his bed, practicing his magic when his mother walked in. Atem had grown into a handsome sixteen year old, his tri-colored hair was a short spikey mess, his eyes had narrowed and were a red-violet, his face lost it's roundness, becoming more angular, his darkened skin tone making him appear more handsome. He had learned to control his magic, and rarely changed into Yami. He mostly stayed inside, where no one could see him, where no one could judge him. He mainly left his room to eat, and use the bathroom.

"Atem, we have some new neighbors. Will you come meet them?"

"What's the point?" Atem asked sadly, throwing his magic in the air, creating sparks that formed a sad face.

His mother sighed, walking over and sitting on his bed, beside him. His mother had long red hair, with blonde highlights in it. Her bright red eyes had dulled over the years, causing them to be almost brown now. She wasn't very tall, and was slim. "Atem. Sweetie. Don't judge the world because of what this cruel village has put you through. Not everyone is cruel."

"Don't pretend to care mom. I've accepted what I am. I don't care anymore" Atem said, sending another set of sparks in the air, only to form another sad face.

"You know, your magic always did contort to whatever mood you were in. Remember when you came home crying that first day, you flooded the house with your rain cloud."

"If you're trying to make me feel better, it's not working."

"Atem, please come meet these people. They're very nice, and I think you'll like them as well."

"Mom" Atem groaned.

"They have a son" she added.

"And?"

"He's about your age, maybe a year younger. His name is Heba." She smiled as she watched Atem sit up, tilting his head in curiosity. "He has tri-colored hair much like yours, only, he has blue, not red-violet, and it's combed back. He has big, bright blue eyes, I think you'll like him. Maybe you'll even be friends."

Atem sighed, getting up off his bed and walking towards his door, he knew it was pointless to argue with his mother. "Fine. C'mon, mom."

"I'm coming dear" his mother giggled.

Atem and his mother walked down the stairs together. "Ah, here he is" Atem's father said as Atem entered the living room. Aknamkanon walked over, wrapping his son in a tight hug.

"Daaad" Atem groaned attempting to escape his father's grasp. "Dad. Let. Me. Go" Atem glared at his father, still struggling to escape. "Moomm" Atem whined, looking to Yamina for help.

"Aknamkanon, put him down."

Aknamkanon did as he was told, unfortunately Atem wasn't ready for the drop. He fell straight to the floor, landing on his butt. "Ouch" Atem said, rubbing his lower back.

"Whoops. Sorry Atem."

"Yeah. Yeah" Atem groaned, standing up and brushing himself off.

"Anyway, this is my son, Atem. Atem, this is Lyra, her husband - Amun, and their son - Heba."

"Uh, hi. Nice to meet you" Atem greeted, bowing out of respect.

"Your father has told us much about you. He didn't mention how adorable you were though" Lyra giggled.

Atem blushed lightly at the complitment "Uh, thanks."

"You'll have to excuse Atem, he isn't used to talking to people."

"Oh, that's okay. Heba is shy too."

Atem looked at Heba and the two's eyes met for a quick second before they both glanced away, a light blush dusting their cheeks.

"Atem, why don't you and Heba go draw or doodle in your room. Get acquainted while we talk."

"Doodle, mom? Really?" His mom shot him a look, causing his eyes to widen, and his face to drop. "I-I mean, c'mon Heba. We'll go play in my room" he chuckled sheepishly, grabbing Heba's hand and running out of the room.

Atem looked at their joined hands as he entered his room, quickly letting go and blushing. "Uh, sorry. My mom's kinda scary when I say the wrong thing."

Heba giggled lightly and Atem smiled. "It's okay, my mom's scary sometimes too."

Atem chuckled "I think all moms are like that."

Heba looked around Atem's room, noticing a drawing on the floor. "Atem? Did you draw this?"

Atem looked up at the drawing, which was more of a carving. Atem liked to carve pictures into things with his magic. "Um, you could say that."

Heba raised a brow "What do you mean?"

"I-I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

Atem sighed, he really wanted to be friends with Heba, but he was scared. "You promise not to tell anyone? Not even your mom?"

"Sure. I promise."

"Pinky promise?" Atem asked, holding out his pinky.

"I pinky promise" Heba said smiling, wrapping his pinky around Atem's.

Atem lowered his voice and leaned closer to Heba. "I have magic."

"What?"

"I can do magic."

"Ha ha Atem" Heba laughed sarcastically "Don't lie."

"I'm not. Watch this." Atem smiled as he cupped his hands together, opening them to reveal a quickly blooming, white rose. "I call it the Forever Rose. It never dies. It wilts when I'm sad, but multiplies when I'm happy."

"It's so cool" Heba gasped.

"Here" Atem said, handing the rose to Heba. "I made it for you."

A light pink blush dusted Heba's cheeks. "Th-Thank you" he said quietly, taking the rose. He looked up and smiled at Atem "I'll keep it forever."

Atem giggled "Well, it does live forever."

Heba giggled with Atem, the two of them enjoying each other's company. Atem showed Heba more magic, the two of them bonding as Atem showed Heba new things.

"Heba! We're going home!"

"Coming!" Heba yelled back.

The two of them stood up, smiling at each other. "See you tomorrow?"

Atem's eyes widened, he hadn't expected that. "R-Really?"

"Of course" Heba said smiling.

"You wanna come back tomorrow?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You don't think I'm a freak?"

The smile dropped from Heba's face, and Atem noticed a sad look in his eyes. "What? Why would I think that?"

Atem lowered his head "Because everyone else does."

Heba wrapped his arms around Atem's neck "Well, I don't. I think you're pretty special." He pulled away, the smile back on his face. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Atem smiled back at him "Okay. See you tomorrow Heba!"

"Bye Atem!" Heba yelled as he ran out the door.

"Bye!" Atem waved from his front door.

Yamina grabbed Atem's exposed wagging tail as she walked up behind him. "You have to keep your emotions under control little one. Your tail is out and exposed."

Atem looked behind him and smiled sheepishly "Whoops." Atem thought for a minute before he smiled "I'm going out for a run for a little bit mom" Atem said, waving as Yami came out to play.

Yami had grown, he was now up to the knees of Aknamkanon. He was larger than most wolves, his eyes a vibrant red/violet. His colors had become brighter. The same designs covered his body, however his fur was a bit longer. Yami was the talk of the town, everyone knew about him, and those who didn't, well, it didn't take long to find out.

Yami trotted through the streets of the village, earning him a few hellos, a couple biscuits, and a bunch of ruffling. He wagged his tail happily, enjoying the gentle breeze that ruffled his fur. He ran, chasing the wind in his playful mood, until he crashed into someone. He let out a small yelp as he bounced off that person, shaking his head to clear his vision. Looking up he saw Amun next to Lyra with Heba by their side. The family was frozen in fear, afraid of what the strange wolf would do to them.

"Hey there Yami!" The butcher called from his store across the street. "C'mere boy!"

Yami let out a gleeful bark before running over to the butcher, taking the piece of meat he was offered. "You guys must be the new people in town" the butcher greeted the newcomers. "This here is Yami, he's the village pet, more or less" he chuckled, ruffling Yami's ears.

"So... He's kind?"

"Most gentle wolf I've ever met" the butcher said. Yami sat beside him, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth happily.

"He's a very beautiful wolf" Lyra commented.

"He's been here since he was a pup" the butcher announced happily, patting Yami's shoulder blades as the wolf leaned against his leg. "He's a good boy. Never caused any trouble around here, stops crimes from happening."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Yami here defends this village. He treats it as if it's his territory."

Yami closed his mouth, his ears perking up to full attention as he looked to his right. A man was sneaking around through the alleys, and he had spotted him. Yami let out a growl, his upper lip twitching to flash his sharp canines. "Why is growling?" Lyra asked.

"He's spotted something. Go get it Yami" the butcher yelled, releasing his hold on the wolf.

Yami ran forward, jumping in front of the man to stop him. His lips rippled back in a snarl, revealing all his teeth. The man's eyes widened, he wasn't very big, and the wolf could easily kill him with one striking blow. The wolf's eyes glowed a bright crimson red with his fury. "Hey you. What are you doin'?" The butcher asked.

The man had stolen something, and was currently hiding it in the vest he was wearing. "I-I did nothing" the man said, his voice shakey.

"Well, Yami begs to differ. Whatever you've stolen, you'd better give it back. Yami doesn't take too kindly to thieves."

The dog opened his mouth, letting a sickening growl to further prove the butcher's point. The man jumped back a little, startled at the sudden noise from the dog. The man dropped the stolen necklace, running as fast as he could to get away from the dog. The butcher picked up the necklace "Well Yami, how about you get this back where it belongs" he said, holding out the necklace for Yami to sniff. Yami inhaled the scent from the necklace before carefully taking it out of the butcher's hand and running off.

He ran at least a few good blocks before he came in sight of the palace. The scent on the necklace was coming from in here, and the guards were in a frenzy. "What's going on, Yami?" Atem asked.

"I do not know, Atem. Just be patient." The wolf stood there, necklace dangling from his mouth.

"Do you think they're looking for this necklace?"

"I dunno. But we're about to find out. Hold on." Yami bolted inside the palace doors, ignoring the guards yells to stop. He continued running, slipping under guards' legs, between two guards that were guarding the room the scent was coming from, and inside the room. In the room was a room full of people, causing Yami to skid to a hault as all eyes turned to him.

"Yami! Run! The guards! Take the necklace to the person it belongs to!"

"Right." Yami ran forward, using his nose to find his target. Unfortunately, his target was standing next to the throne. But he had to get this necklace back to it's rightful owner, it looked important. He ducked through the crowd as he ran forward, stopping in front of the steps that led up to the throne. A guard up on the balcony spotted the dog and took aim.

"STOP!" The female ordered. She had long black hair, a golden crown going around her forehead. Everyone stopped where they were as she cautiously approached the wolf.

Yami lowered his ears to show he meant no harm. The woman reached her hand forward, silently asking for the necklace. Yami let it fall out of his mouth and into her hand, keeping his ears down as she looked at the necklace. "I-It's my necklace" she said, shocked. "H-How did you?" Yami let out a high pitched whine as if to answer her question. "Thank you" she said, placing a soft kiss on Yami's forehead and ruffling his ears.

"This dog is a hero. He has gotten my necklace back from the thief, and returned it to me."

"Yami?! Yami?!" Yami turned as he heard his name being called. It was far, but close enough for him to hear. He barked in return and fled the throne room, wandering off to where he was being called. "Yami?!"

The woman in the throne room followed Yami out to where Yamina was calling for him. Yami barked as he skidded to a stop, sitting down in front of Yamina, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth happily as he wagged his tail. "There you are. You had me worried sick."

"Excuse me" The woman from the throne room interrupted.

"Oh, my queen, I am so sorry if Yami was any trouble" Yamina said, bowing respectfully.

"Oh, he was no trouble at all. Yami brought back my necklace. A thief broke in earlier, and took it, Yami was just bringing it back. I'd actually like to give him something, so everyone knows he is respected around here."

Yamina looked down at Yami and smiled, running her hand down the side of his face. "Thank you my queen. Good boy Yami."

Yami let out a happy bark, standing as he did so. The queen walked with Yamina and Yami back into the palace. She grabbed a golden collar, with a bright red gem hanging from it and locked it around the wolf's neck. "Let this be a symbol, that this wolf is trusted, and a true savior" she announced.

Everyone cheered as Yami pinned his ears back, his tail hanging limply as he let out a howl. "He is a beautiful dog" the queen told Yamina, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you my queen. I think the necklace brings out his true colors."

The two stood and watched as Yami howled with the crowd, wagging his tail at everyone's applause. Atem chuckled with Yami, smiling at Yami as Yami closed his eyes to join Atem within their mind. "You did it Yami."

"No, we did it."

Atem chuckled as he high-fived the golden eyed shadow. Yami opened his eyes once again, happy to be appreciated by the whole village. He was finally fitting in, as Yami. Atem had given up but, as Yami, he knew he could do anything.

Me: Okay, there is that :) I think there will be another time skip next chapter. Because Kotonaru wasn't meant to be a very long story, and I don't have anything else planned :3 Anyway, that's it for that :) Until next time *waves* Goodbye :)