Yami: (peeks around then steps fully into the intro) Wow, no one else is here. Nows my chance. (clears throat) Readers, I wish to call your attention to the horrible things going on in this story and warn you to not read it anymore. My aibou is being hurt by the evil author and...( all further words are muffled as Dark sneaks up behind the former Pharaoh and gags him then ties him up.)
Yuugi: Yami, you promised you'd be good. (shakes his head as he stares at his yami)
E: Thanks a bunch Dark, couldn't have done it without your Phantom Thief skills! And as for you (turns to the struggling boy), do you promise to not cause anymore trouble! You have a great part in the story, your the hero for goodness sakes...and so is Yuugi...later. You just have to be patient. I promise to not cause...hardly any more physical injuries. (The crimson eyes narrow in thought before he nods in agreement.) Good. Now.
Daisuke: Welcome everyone to chapter three! E is very excited about this, as she already has 20 reviews! (E dances across the screen singing thank you) Anywho, she just wants me to remind you that she does not own Yu-Gi-Oh or D N Angel despite any of her wishes. Well, enjoy the...
E: Hold on! One more bit of business. I want to offer something to certain number of reviewers. I wasn't expecting it to come so quickly though! YEAH!!! Anyway, the 25th reviewer will get either
1) a scene suggested by them in the story (hopefully in the next chapter-but just understand, it will have to go where it fits in with the rest of the story) or
2) a one-shot connected with the story somehow (this may take a bit of time, just to let you know)
My reviewers are very important to me and this is the first time I can truely reward them for all the encouragement they give me. Thanks for the great reviews and hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Special thanks too for Tavi who is betaing my story and has helped me so much!
Thanks to:
Kyo lover with little sanity, Crystal F. Flowright, KagomeGirl021, tavi, dragonlady222, DaakuKitsune, and Yami-Echo! You guys are awesome!
Thanks too for all who have put me on their favorites and watches!
On with the show!
Chapter 3
What's in a Name?
Slowly, painfully, the young boy crawled back up to the surface of consciousness. Violet eyes fluttered open and stared fuzzily at the foreign ceiling above him. The dull ache of bruises made its presence known through the fog that seemed unable to lift clear from his mind. Carefully, he sat up and winced. Great, one of my ribs isn't right. Yuugi felt along the bandage and sighed. He had no idea where he was or how long he had been unconscious. Carefully, he made his way to the alcove with large windows. Leaning heavily against the wall, he looked down on the unfamiliar garden below him, ringed by a high wall. Beyond that, he could see…the familiar street... The mansion! Could he be…
The door opening behind him caused him to turn around too quickly and a moan of pain escaped his lips.
"Here, now; don't move too fast. You are still recovering." A rich voice washed over him, but he barely noticed it as strong arms helped him back over to the bed. Once he was sitting down, the hands guided him to lean against a warm body, so as not to put added pressure on the weakened rib. Turning his wide eyes to his helper, his mouth opened to thank the person when all sound and thought died away. It was the boy!
Crimson eyes sparkled as a smile grew on the angular face. Violet eyes blinked a few times before words finally came to him.
"Sugoi! It's you!"
"Ah, so you do remember me?" Violet eyes blinked once more before widening impossibly. The mouth snapped shut while two rather vivid spots of color formed on the pale cheeks. Any attempt to move away though was halted by a strong arm wrapped gently yet firmly around his shoulder.
Quickly, the smaller boy stammered out something to break the silence. "You…ah…you didn't use to speak Japanese."
"Hai. But I figured since I'm living here, it might help to know enough of it to get by." And to talk to you, but you don't need to know that yet.
"How…how long have I been here?"
"About a day. We have a friend who is a doctor. He was able to patch you up and everything. You'll have to be careful of that rib for awhile, but otherwise you're healing well."
"Arigato."
"It's nothing, Yuugi." Amethyst eyes widened slightly before, to the surprise of the taller boy, they narrowed.
"You know my name, but I don't know yours." A pout, followed by the puppy eyes of doom formed on the child-like face. Crimson eyes widened and he began stammering.
"I'm sorry, Yuugi. But you just woke up! I didn't have a chance…" A giggle, followed by loud laughter broke through his incoherent ramblings. A smile graced his face as he watched the boy dissolve into tears of mirth. Normally, he would have been furious, as he hated people making fun of him. But he found he could not be angry with his small look-alike. He was just too cute for his own good. Suddenly, the laughter died as the paler boy gasped for air; his rib was paining him. Immediately, Yuugi was being laid back down, a hand running through his hair as the taller boy tried to calm him.
"I…won't do that…again for a…while."
"No, I don't think you should. And it's Yami."
"Huh?" This intelligent question brought another smile to the darker skinned face.
"My name is Yami and I've been waiting to meet you since I saw you that day through the fence." A smile grew on his pale-skinned counterpart.
"Really? Me too, Yami! I was about to ask Ji-chan to serve as an interpreter so you could speak in English and we could get to know each other. But I haven't seen you since that day and I've looked every…" Brilliant eyes widened as he realized how much he was giving away. "Crap." Yami had to laugh at the smaller one, he was just too cute. And he seemed to just brighten up the dreary mansion in a way Yami would not have believed possible.
A slight knock on the door alerted the occupants to the fact that they were no longer alone.
"Ji-chan!"
"Hello, Yuugi. Iie! Don't get up. I'll come to you. You finally awake?"
"Hai. Gomen, Ji-chan…"
"Sorry!" The older man quickly gentled his voice. "Yuugi, this was in no way your fault. I'm sorry you've been forced to deal with such a…well, anyway, we can just be glad that Yami was at the right place at the right time." Yami's eyes shown with amusement as the violet eyed chibi ichi glanced up shyly at him.
"Hai." The agreement was soft and hesitant, but the gratitude was clearly seen in the expressive eyes.
"I'm only sorry I didn't arrive sooner. Then, you wouldn't have been so injured."
Later that day, Yuugi and Ji-chan were leaving to return to the game shop. Yami was sad to see him go, but now that they had met, surely they would see one another again! Mahaado and Ji-chan were discussing last minute details.
"I'll give the doctor your address so he may call on Yuugi."
"Thank you, and please, do call if we can do anything to help you. We owe you so much."
"We were glad to do it."
"Yami, feel free to come anytime and see Yuugi. I know he would like it." Yami smiled as the smaller boy blinked confusedly up at his grandfather. They were talking in English so Mahaado could understand, but the poor boy had only understood his and his new acquaintance's name. Speaking in English, Yami continued.
"I certainly will. I hope to become good friends with him." A warm smile graced the older man's face.
"Thank you."
"Could you please tell me what all of you are saying about me?" The boy huffed and gently crossed his arms. Even Mahaado, who understood nothing he had said, laughed at the cute sight. Yami smiled.
"Well, chibi ichi, I've been invited to come and see you. Think you can stand to see me again?" A blur ran and tackled him to the floor. "Yuugi! You'll hurt…"
"You want to see me again? You want to be my…friend?" Gently, Yami pulled himself far enough out of the boy's embrace to be able to meet his hopeful gaze.
"Only if you want to return the favor." A big smile escaped the little one as he almost violently nodded. A bright chuckle escaped the taller look-alike. "Good. Now how long should I wait to see you? A day, an hour, twenty minutes?" While Yami was joking, there was a hint of truth there. He wasn't sure how long he could go without seeing the chibi ichi.
"How about five minutes?" Crimson eyes widened while Yuugi's Ji-chan and Mahaado laughed, once the older man had translated what the little one had said. The guardian was astonished at how at ease his charge was around the small look-alike. Yami joking with anyone was a novel experience, Mahaado could count on one hand the times he had heard his young charge laugh. Another instance was added when the taller teen threw back his head and laughed long and hard.
"I'll have to watch you, chibi ichi. You're sneaky. Turning my own joke against me." His fisted hands rested lightly on his thin hips. "I'll remember that chibi ichi, I'll remember." Amethyst eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Just try it."
Translations:
Aibou: Partner
Sugoi: Cool
Hai: Yes
Arigato: Thanks
Ji-chan: Grandfather
Iie: No
Gomen: Sorry
Chibi ichi: Little one
