Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! I'm only fifteen. If I did own Yu-Gi-Oh, that would be pretty good for a fifteen-year old, right?

Hey everyone! Like the last chapter? Well, it gets better now that Pegasus has forced Yugi and Yami to go to his island. Surprises galore! Wait and see!

Oh, and for those who have inquired about this, here's what I think on connecting this with Endless and The Magic of Christmas that was written by Laryna6: I'll try it, but how is still a mystery to me. Just to make you guys smile, since that seems to be one of the requirements of this sequel. Ah, well, whatever.

YGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGO

The next day should have felt like any other day, where Yugi awoke to find Yami was not in his soul room, instead downstairs making breakfast or packing Yugi's lunch for him. Just like any normal day, Yami insisted that he make Yugi's lunch because he loved him, and that was what people did for the ones they loved.

He hated not waking up to Yami wrapped around him in his soul room, with his arms and one leg entangled around his body as though he would let nothing remove him from his Master. Yugi loved feeling Yami next to him, snuggling himself into his chest or clasping his arms a little tighter around his waist. Still, that had not been the case for a while, and Yugi detested it immensely.

He always got up as quickly as he could so that he could see his Yami in the kitchen, so that he could hug him and kiss him, and thank him for whatever he was doing for him, careful not to let Grandpa see any of it.

They were cautious about that, not letting the others see the extent of their relationship… Yugi was unsure of how they would react, though Yami assured him it would be fine. But still, despite their vigilance, the occasionally thoughtless snuggles were slip ups that no one seemed to notice. It was a good thing too… the thoughtless snuggles were no longer just occasional like they used to be anyways.

But today was not such a day. The previous night his friends had stayed over for hours, trying to figure out a way to get Yugi's grandpa out of the TV—it was to no avail, however. Yami told them that since it was a part of a penalty game, he was unable to use his magic to remove Sugoroku's soul; basically, the only option they had now was to go to this Duelist Kingdom.

Hanasaki and Honda left first, then Anzu, and then Jou as the hours of the night surpassed into early morning. Yugi had been calmed by the support of his friends, as they had consoled him from the bitter rage he had against what Pegasus's Item had done.

He still couldn't believe it—his grandpa was now in a DVD, and his body lay lifelessly in his own bedroom (Yami used his magic to transport Sugoroku's body). Worst of all, him and Yami had lost a game. When had that ever happened? Usually they could come through and defeat an enemy, especially someone with an Item as the last two matches had proven.

Perhaps the Items really were far more powerful than them… Yami had a right to be scared of them, considering that they had locked him up and tortured him for five thousand years. Now Yugi could see the extent of their power, and frankly, it did frighten him a bit. What else could they do if Yami failed again?

The night had been a restless sleep: Yugi placed the DVD Sugoroku was in into a portable DVD player, so that he could carry him around wherever he went. His grandpa talked through the screen, telling him that he was actually quite okay. Yugi was glad that he wasn't hurt or anything, it reassured him that all would turn out okay in the end. He needed to know that.

After that, he turned off the DVD player, and headed to bed with Yami in his soul room. They were too depressed and worn out to do anything of interest, instead relishing in each other's warmth as they had horrible thoughts of the darkness they now faced….

Yugi woke up to the feeling of emptiness. He could sense Yami downstairs in the kitchen, his warm presence still in his mind, but there was something else… something he could describe as the feeling of guilt and despair. It was coming from Yami. Yugi's heart felt like breaking as he got out of bed.

Is… is this what Yami's feeling right now? There was so much shame and remorse coming from his Yami that Yugi felt like crying himself, such an overwhelming sensation. Could he be upset about the events of yesterday, about losing to Pegasus and failing Yugi?

Yugi knew that was it. Yami had been upset as they slept together in his soul room, as he could not hide anything from his Master. Yugi could feel the way he ached as he held Yugi tightly through sleep. He whimpered a lot, to which Yugi stroked his hair and he calmed into a deeper sleep. Yugi knew the loss must have been a blow to Yami, but what could he do about it?

I can't let Yami feel this way, he's placing all the blame on himself. He could sense Yami's thoughts if he concentrated hard enough. He was blaming himself because if it wasn't for him, Yugi would not have the puzzle, he would not have such predicaments. He would have his grandfather, he would be safe from harm….

Yugi felt like saying how much he loved Yami despite all this through their link, but he held it back. He knew it wouldn't help Yami, he would still feel that way. Still, he was going to have to try.

Yugi blamed himself for what happened too. His grandfather had nothing to do with any of this, and now he was involved in a war between Zorc and the Items. He sighed—just when things looked like they were doing fine, just as Yami was becoming close to him (or closer than before, if that was even possible), this had to happen; the Items had to strike again, had to test Yami.

Yugi headed down the stairs, into the kitchen. He saw Yami making some rice balls, and as soon as he saw his Light he smiled. Yugi went over to him, hugging him tightly.

"Good morning, Yami" he said, nuzzling himself into the other's chest. He had to comfort Yami as best as he could—he refused to make Yami feel so guilty. He had to somehow show him that it was not his fault at all. Yami kissed into his hair tenderly.

"Your lunch is almost finished. Just give me a moment to pack it." Yami went over to place the foods in the lunch box, and as he did so Yugi shifted his feet nervously. Yami looked over, concerned. "Something is troubling you, I can sense it. It is what happened last night, correct?"

Yugi nodded faintly. It was what was upsetting Yami too. "Yeah, I'm still thinking about that. I still can't believe Grandpa's in a DVD."

Yami sighed, his crimson eyes distant. "I was unable to protect him from harm, Yugi. Forgive me, I am so unworthy that I can't defend you."

That was how he felt now, even though he knew his Master would deny such a thing. How could he have lost? How could he have failed his Master, the Light from which he worshipped all things good and benevolent? He had made it his mission, his reason for living, to defend Master and love him until he could no longer… what good was he now if he failed so miserably?

He knew the power of the Items, he understood what had occurred last night—he had failed, he had lost, and now the Items were punishing him for not being strong enough. They made his Master upset, which would in turn make his heart wrench with pain and agony. A lesson to be learned, that's what it was. Yugi looked at him despairingly.

"Yami, that's not true! You're not worthless! We just made a mistake, we just need to get stronger!"

"I shouldn't be making mistakes when it comes to defending you, Yugi. And it is my fault for not being strong enough to take down Pegasus." It was true, wasn't it? That's what the Item had said—he was too weak, that's why he failed.

Why couldn't the Items have punished him a different way? He knew that the tortured he endured before was too much for him to ever bear again, but if it meant that they would not make his Master so upset he would take that fate in a heartbeat. He could not make Master sad… it was his fault that they chose to torture him so.

He continued to pack the rice balls into the lunch box. "I understand if you might be disappointed—I take full responsibility for what happened. You do not have to comfort me, I do not deserve that from someone has divine as you."

Yugi wanted to cry—why couldn't Yami see the truth? He shook his head fiercely before grabbing Yami in a sad embrace. He couldn't take it anymore—Yami may have kept a cool demeanor, but inside Yugi could feel his guilt, pounding and burning so much it hurt. It hurt them both. "Listen, it wasn't your fault! The Item, Pegasus, they did that to Grandpa!" Yugi said. "I don't want to see you sad, Yami! This didn't happen because of you!" He buried his face into Yami's chest.

Yami sighed. Kind Master, loving Master, he would never place the blame on someone like Yami. He could feel the warmth of Yugi's soul engulf his own, he basked in it like sunlight… but still it couldn't completely remove his guilt.

He had failed, that's all there was to it. He could feel Yugi run his fingers through his silken hair, and he preened under the love and attention that he did not deserve. He could feel Yugi's tears soak his school uniform, hear his sobs… wait, tears and sobs? He had made Master cry? He pulled Yugi close, pushing the teen's chin up, so that he could see the boy's face. Tears streamed down his cheeks, flooding his innocent purple eyes. What had he done?

"Master, forgive me! I did not mean to upset you!" he said, wiping the stray tears from his Light's angelic face. "Do not cry on my behalf, I do not want you to be distraught because of me. I don't want to make you sad, it makes me sad as well."

Yugi sniffled. He looked like he was about to sob again, but then he smiled, and reached up to Yami's face. Yami could feel him wipe away a tear from his cheek—how did that get there? How did he not feel his own tears? Yugi continued to grin, and then he giggled nervously.

"Didn't I tell you not to call me Master?" he said sweetly, before leaning up and kissing Yami on the lips.

Yes, he was upset, but not at Yami. He was mad at the Items, at Pegasus for what they had done to Yami and Grandpa. But never at Yami, he would never be mad at Yami. His heart stilled throbbed with hurt, but as long as he was with Yami, all would be well. He would make sure Yami knew that as well.

Yami was surprised that Master had kissed him. Master was so kind, so forgiving… he could still love Yami even after he had failed him and lost. His heart was rekindled with the love he felt coming from Yugi, as they deepened the kiss and explored each other's mouths with their tongues. He knew Yugi would never leave him, would never blame him. He was safe with Master.

Yami knew what he had to do. He would win next time, he would defeat this Pegasus. He may have had an Item and was influenced by their will, but Yami knew that in order to prove to his Master that he was still there to defend him, he would have to beat this Pegasus. It was the only way to redeem himself.

None of this is your fault! Don't blame yourself, Yugi assured him.

Not true, I could have done better. I could have been stronger, for you.

But that's why we should go to this Duelist Kingdom. That'll help us get stronger, and we can beat Pegasus at his own game. We'll get stronger, you and I, we won't let him hurt us again.

And his Item? Surely they have a plan for us, I don't know what they have in store for us but no doubt it will be to test my strength again. If I fail….

Yugi stopped the kiss, and looked into Yami's eyes. "You won't fail. I have you, and as long as we're together, we can win. This battle just showed us that we need to be stronger… but it doesn't mean we can't succeed. We'll win Round 2, Yami, just wait and see!"

Yami grasped his Light's hand, holding it gently. He smiled. Master had so much confidence in him. He would not fail him again.

"I'm sure we will, Ma-Yugi." He looked back down at the lunch he made for Yugi—it was already packed in the box, ready to go. "Should we not head to school now? You will be late otherwise."

Yugi nodded as he took the lunch. Yami disappeared into a flash of light, and then quickly reappeared in Yugi's mind. He laid down on Yugi's bed in his soul room, and soaked up the light and warmth that drugged him senseless. Master's forgiveness was sweeter then any concoction, it filled him so much that he overflowed with it. Yugi nestled up with him, glad to be making Yami so happy now.

He may not be able to stop Yami from feeling guilty about Grandpa, he may not have been able to make Yami understand that he had not failed him and that he still loved him as much as before, but at least he could let Yami know that he was worth something to him. More than something… he was everything.

Yugi got the portable DVD player from his room, and bounded off down the stairs, ready for school. Today he had school, he needed to think about that, not the crazy mess they were in. He would think about that stuff later.

Right now, all he needed to know was that Yami was with him, and that no matter what, they could overcome what they could not defeat today. That he would gladly promise.

YGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGOYGO

Okay, mushy chapter done and over with! Now we'll get back to the manga, I think (I'll take a look… oops, maybe not).

Oh, and I have heard complaints about how you guys want a "regular" schedule for this. Weekly, right? Well, suit yourselves. Personally I already have chapter eight going, but if you all REALLY want it to be just weekly, then fine: every Friday I'll update.

Hope you can bear through the wait!