A/N: I had missed writing in my usual quirky humor form. So, this chapter has a little less angst and a little more fun. I figured, since Yugi's older, it'd be appropriate. I like letting my writing style evolve with the characters.

Shouting out to:
Xuwum, Isis the Sphinx, Tragedyluver, Protector Of The Nameless, and my good pal Rem-sama! Thanks for all your encouragement and for making me not feel like a total sucktastic loser.

Disclaimer: I own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Haha you guys should've seen the looks on your faces! I wish I had a camera! I mean, I hardly own my car let alone an entire anime series. Therefore, Yu-Gi-Oh! is very much not mine.

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I'm just a kid
And life is a nightmare
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"Yugi! Anzu is here for you."

"Oh! Uh, thanks Grandpa. Tell her I'll be right down!" Yugi began haphazardly stuffing the pieces of the Millennium Puzzle back into their container. He usually had okay days, where maybe a piece or two fit, or difficult days where the shiny gold metal mocked him and his inability to solve it. Today was, unfortunately, a very difficult day. A break was needed to reorganize himself and try again later.

Anzu, per usual, was early to pick him up. He honestly didn't know why he didn't expect this sooner and be ready for once. It was easier to pretend that she might be a normal human and arrive on time. Or maybe even late.

'Stupid entrance exams…' he mentally complained as he began stuffing his backpack. 'I can't believe how hard the teachers are pushing these things. I mean, they're still a month away.'

Yugi topped off his plain white tee and jean ensemble with a fleece vest and threw his bag over his shoulder, racing down the stairs and into the game shop. There he found his Grandpa sitting on his stool behind the counter reading the newspaper, and his friend Anzu Mazaki gazing over the latest batch of imported chess pieces: this time, his grandfather had ordered them from Mexico. The pieces were supposed to be made to look like Aztecs.

"Hey, Yugi!" She greeted with a smile as she saw him approach. "You ready to head to the library?"

"Yeah, sorry for the wait. I was just pulling my stuff together…" Yugi suddenly trailed off, feeling a tugging in his chest. He was missing something…why did he suddenly feel all agitated and pouty?

"Sorry Anzu, I'll be right back. I forgot something in my room."

Back upstairs, Yugi stared at the golden box on his desk. He was having a staring contest against the mysterious and often creepy looking Wadjet Eye, which he lost easily.

Was the puzzle asking him to take it?

'Nah. It's probably my tired brain playing tricks on me,' He thought. He contemplated the box.

The box contemplated him.

Finally, he shook his head and scooped the puzzle into his bag.

Meanwhile, Yami sat back in his puzzle room, triumphant. His mental agitation of being left behind had apparently worked. He knew by the boy's annoyed feelings and quiet thoughts that he and the girl Anzu were headed to a place called the "Library" to study for a special exam. Apparently, this exam held jurisdiction of the location of Yugi's future schooling, and was therefore very important.

Yami also knew from other visits paid by this Anzu person, no matter what the purpose, that Yugi was always left with drifting thoughts that were semi-romantic and sometimes…personal. But Yami would hear them all clearly whenever Yugi returned to his room to muse. The way he took to the girl was cute in an innocent, 'You're my really nice really cute best friend' sort of way.

It was also interesting to hear Yugi's often confused thoughts on the subject. After all, if this girl were his only friend, he wouldn't want to scare her away by coming on too strongly. Then again, as his friend, he would want to do anything to make her happy regardless.

That's why Yami would not let a chance to be near his other half during an infamous Anzu Trip slip by. Not only would he get to learn a little more about Yugi, but it would provide him with a bit of amusement.

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"Anzu, you're cruel."

"Aw, Yugi, you don't mean that!"

Yugi pouted, making Anzu laugh. "Oh come on, at least we got our work done!"

"Yeah, I think my brain might explode from all the material we covered. And then, to top it off, you had me write that report for English."

"It had to be done anyway."

"It isn't even due until next Friday! In two weeks!"

Anzu smirked. "It just leaves you with more time to study then!"

Yugi sighed. This was going to be the longest month of his life.

'But…at least Anzu is going to be helping me through it.'

As they continued to walk, Anzu began ranting on about her plans for a study schedule they could follow up to their entrance exam date. Yugi would occasionally nod or mutter an agreement, but let his thoughts wander off to the puzzle sitting in his bag.

Yami glanced up. He knew the importance of strengthening your mind, and no matter how boring the trip had been studying should really take priority.

'Anzu seems really focused on this stuff. Oh well, I'll study later. Now I wonder, I hadn't tried that one piece on the diagonal portion of the inside yet—'

"Stop dwelling on the puzzle and focus your priorities. It'll be here tomorrow, where as studying might not." Yami waved his arms in the air for emphasis.

Yugi blinked, his mind suddenly snapping its attention back to Anzu's "Plan of Attack." There had been a distinct internal poke. His conscience must have caught on to him.

"Well, here's my house."

Yugi blinked again. They were at Anzu's already? Boy, he really did zone out for a while.

"Oh, well have a nice night, Anzu! I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Yup!" Anzu waved, pushing her door open. "Bye, have a safe walk home!"

Yugi continued down the road, subconsciously avoiding the alleys in the dusky light. It came from the experience of years of encounters. Besides, one could never be too careful, even if he was a guy (making the possibility of rape a little less likely). Muggers were always possible, and he would have to pass the school en route home, where there was always a bully or two waiting in the wings.

Yami caught the subconscious kick in, but brushed it off. Naturally, the mind would always be working in ways you might be unaware of. He instead decided to focus on the rogue thoughts plaguing the more active portion of his twin's mind.

'I wonder if I should tell Anzu about the puzzle. It would probably explain why I can't focus so much on studying.'

"Hey!" Yami shouted a bit indignantly. "I don't like that you are going to blame your lack of focus on me!"

'Well, no, I won't for now. I don't want her thinking it's stupid and ignoring me…or picking on me. She's a good friend, though. She sticks up for me when other kids tease me, so it'd probably be okay to tell her.'

Yami rubbed his head. "She does seem like a strong person with a lot of care. You two are the exact same, really…she just seems to have more guts…and is more straightforward and vocal about it…ok, I'll rephrase that. Your hearts are the exact same."

'Still, I don't want her thinking it'll be too distracting and trying to make me stop working on it or something. I'll keep it a secret a little longer—'

"Why, if it isn't the runt Mutou!"

Yugi stopped his thoughts short. Two boys that he recognized as classmates had cut off his path.

Yami caught the change in demeanor of the small gamer. He sensed the boy become more on edge, and his thoughts went silent as more of his energy focused on the task at hand.

He also sensed the source of the built up tension: two new auras.

"What're you doing out so late?" one of the bys taunted. "You've even got your backpack with you!"

"Just studying for the entrance exams," Yugi replied politely. So far, the conversation seemed to be going well…

"Hey, you like games, right?"

Yugi perked. Someone actually wanted to play a game with him? This was great! He didn't notice the malicious smirk that graced the lips of the first boy, or the way the second seemed to maneuver behind him.

Yami shifted, worried. He apparently sensed the malice sooner than his other had, and since the spirit couldn't provide much in terms of protection, that meant the boy was virtually on his own.

"Yeah, I do."

"Well, my pal and I want to play a game with you."

"Sure. Like what?"

"It's a little something I like to call Keep Away."

"Hey, give that back!"

The second boy had snatched Yugi's bag off of his shoulder and held it high above his head, cackling with amusement as the much shorter boy hopped up and down to try and retrieve it.

"But I'm having so much fun, Runt! Aren't you enjoying our game?"

He tossed the bag to the second boy, who nearly dropped it as the weight of the items inside shifted.

"Please be careful," Yugi protested. "I have something really important to me in there!"

The first boy laughed, tossing the bag high though the air back to the second boy. "Oh, like books are soooo important!"

"No, not those." Yugi followed the path of the bag with his eyes as he tried to snatch it back and plead his case to the bullies. "It's something I—"

"Hey," the second boy called to his partner, "he doesn't seem to like this game. Maybe we should play a different one."

The first boy pretended to look thoughtful. "Yeah I guess you're right."

The bag flew through the air again, Yugi making another fruitless attempt to snatch it. "Please stop, my treasure is in—"

Just as the first boy caught the bag, Yugi was blindsided as a swinging leg met his gut. He fell to his knees and doubled over, clutching his sides and gasping painfully for air to refill his lungs. He vaguely registered the two attackers laughing.

"This game is called Hide-and-Go-Seek! We hide your stuff, and you gotta seek it out! Ha, get it?"

'No…the puzzle…'

Yugi groaned, trying to look up at the other boys, but a shoe roughly met the back of his head and pushed his face into the pavement.

"Peeking wouldn't be fair." The foot increased its pressure on his skull, but was buffered his hair. This was the first time Yugi was ever grateful for his naturally and obnoxiously fluffy locks.

There was a woosh as something flew away from them.

'The puzzle…My treasure… I need it to grant my wish…'

Yugi blinked back tears of pain as his sore stomach dug into his knee and his cheek scraped the rough cement of the sidewalk.

'I can't get stronger…but I hate fighting…But I'll never get stronger if I don't…'

Then, the pressure was gone. He remained on the ground a moment longer, the standard play dead technique, trying to regain his bearings. Footsteps and fading laughter signaled that the bullies were finally leaving.

When Yugi finally looked up, his bag was no where in sight.

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Yami was panicked. He had been able to feel his other's presence a moment ago. It was like a soothing blanket. But he had felt the other presences as well: two auras of malice and torment.

That's why, when he felt the pain that spilled over from the boy and into his room, settling like a rock in his gut, he knew something had gone wrong.

But then, the pain faded to nothing. As did the three auras. The last thing Yami heard were a portion of the puzzle keeper's thoughts.

'The puzzle…My treasure… I need it to…'

But then, that faded as well. And Yami was left in a cold, deafeningly silent room.

Just like before.

Yami thought quickly. He must have been thrown. How strong were the arms of teenagers? He didn't have enough practice chucking things around to know for himself.

He can't have gone far. The boy must be near by. But if he's still being beat up, then he wouldn't notice if Yami's energy reached out to him. He would obviously be too preoccupied.

However, it would use up too much of Yami's sparse energy to actually leave the puzzle to look. Plus, so far he had been good enough to keep out of the Shadow Realm's hair. He didn't have any intention of returning, not when the boy was coming closer to setting him free…

This would have to do.

Yami summoned as much of his spirit energy as he could and pushed it out around him. If he could find that aura—or if that aura could find him—he could at least try to lead it back to him.

"Yugi. You can do it. Just follow your heart."

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Yugi rubbed his cheek, looking around hopelessly. The school building seemed to loom over him, daring him to approach it.

"It could be anywhere. Where could they have thrown it?"

Sighing in resignation, he walked through the (thankfully) still open gate of the school into the court yard.

"I'll never find it standing around. The puzzle has got to be here somewhere—"

'Over here.'

"Sweet Kami!"

Yugi spun on his heels, clutching his chest. Someone spoke. There was someone or something that was speaking to him. And he was alone on the school grounds.

'This way.'

Yugi blinked. "Uh…wha…?"

That was not a person's voice…er…it didn't seem like it, at least. It was softer, more of a whisper inside his head than a vocalized phrase. And he felt that tugging at his heart again, like it knew where his puzzle was.

Wait…

'This way.'

Yugi walked on instinct. It was like he didn't even need to tell his feet where to go. They just took him there.

'Closer…'

Yugi stopped. He was at the swimming pool. His bag was floating in the middle, slowly sinking from the weight it carried.

He decided not to press the issue as to why he could hear a voice in his head telling him where the puzzle was. That could mean he's crazy, and that could lead to therapy that he didn't want his parents to worry over.

He instead contemplated the location of the bag

"How the hell did they get the bag all the way into the pool?"

Yugi eyed the item suspiciously. Then, with a frustrated grunt, he kicked off his shoes and socks.

'Please let no one be watching right now…'

He dove head first into the chilly water. The chlorine stung at his eyes as he opened them, hoping to catch a glimpse of the item in question. Then catching a glimpse of one of the straps floating carelessly below him, he grabbed the backpack and hauled it to the surface. He tossed it onto the ledge of the pool and lifted himself to sit beside it, his feet dangling in the water.

"Time for damage control…"

Inside was a mess. His books and papers were soaked, and his English paper lay in a crumpled soggy heap near the front. The only seemingly unharmed thing in the entire bag was the puzzle box. It instead glistened with residual water drops, catching the fading sunlight in an almost wink.

Yugi sighed heavily, removing the box from the sopping wet contents of his backpack. "I hope you're worth all the trouble you're putting me through."

Yami sat back in the now warm puzzle room, grateful for the return of that kind and open presence. He chuckled in half exhaustion, half relief.

"You have no idea, Little One."

Slipping back into his socks and shoes, Yugi made the remaining trek home clutching the puzzle tightly to his chest, one strap of the soggy backpack slung over his shoulder. He ignored the discomfort caused by his wet clothes that clung to his tiny frame.

He couldn't help but feel relieved when he was finally at the door of the Kame Game Shop. The place had a way of easing any worries you may harbor, making you feel safer just through the door. There was certainly no place like home.

Sugoroku looked up when the door to shi shop swung open. He gazed steadily at the wet boy before him, holding a golden box and smiling in greeting, but made no comment. Instead, he smiled in return and held out a small stack of cards with elaborate pictures painted onto them.

"Yugi! I want to show you this American game. I've been playing it for a while, and I think it's about time I pass the torch."

Yugi walked quickly to the counter, taking the cards from his grandfather.

"These are really neat, Grandpa! What's the game called?"

"It's a monster-magic battle game called 'Duel Monsters'. I thought you might want to try it out, since it seems to be growing more in popularity. I can teach you how to play, and we can go through some of my old cards and build you a strong deck."

Yugi picked the top card and held it up to eye level. A purple-haired man in dark robes wielding a large staff stared back at him.

'Duel Monsters…Dark Magician, eh? What a cool looking card.' he thought in fascination.

Yami froze. Did the boy just think what he thinks he thought? No…he thought card. It's not the real Dark Magician.

But…maybe somehow…

Sugoroku winked. "Maybe one day you'll be good enough to beat me. I am a Master Gamer after all."

Yugi grinned. "Is that a challenge?"

"You bet your diary it is!"

"Ehh?! You've been reading my diary?!"

"Well, you left it open on your desk when I went to collect your laundry. It's not my fault."

Recovering from his shock, Yami crossed his arms and concentrated on the thoughts of his young reincarnation.

He had the feeling that this game was going to become very important.

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All along the way I feel a part of me I have to fight
Buried somewhere deep beneath my skin
The emptiness in me is fading
I can see my life is waiting
Now I know I'm living for who I am
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A/N: I know, a filler chapter. But I thought a glimpse at Junior High Yugi would be fun and sort of help build the relationship between him and Puzzle!Yami.

Had one helluva time picking these out…
Opening Lyrics: "I'm just a Kid" by Simple Plan
Closing Lyrics: "Who I Am" by Smile Empty Soul

Next chapter, we move up to high school. It'll probably end there, with an epilogue teetering on the edge of my brain (it depends on how well I can tie up the chapter).

::bad infomercial music plays::

Akina: Now, I'd like to direct your attention to the lower left hand corner of your screen!
Yami: There's a blue button there. See it?
Yugi: It's blue!
Akina: If you click that button…you can leave reviews!
Yugi/Yami: NO WAY!!
Akina: WAY!! In just THREE easy steps, you can leave Akina wonderful reviews!
Yugi: I'm going to go leave a review RIGHT NOW!
Yami: I will as well!
Bakura: Me too! "Dear Akina, I couldn't help but notice the lack of me in this story. If you wish your precious puppies to be alive when you wake up tomorrow, I suggest that you—"
Akina: Bakura, relax. You're in the next fic.
Bakura: …oh. Carry on then.
Akina: Anyway guys…reviews are great! Follow in the footsteps of Yugi and Yami and submit a review of your own today!