Disclaimer/Warning: Neither Akira or I (Akari) own Yu-Gi-Oh. If we had, obviously the series would be filled with a lot more slash.

As another side note, I've finally set aside time to write. Most of what has been posted was by Akira. So if you notice a difference in writing style at all, it is because we are two different people.

A Lost Dream

Chapter 4

Yugi sighed and fidgeted nervously with his sleeve of his school uniform. Although he did share a few classes with the recently returned pharaoh, it proved rather pointless for him to try to concentrate on his studies, with or without the Pharaoh in the same room.

Twice he had been lectured for inattentiveness, and daydreaming when the teacher had called on him. Once even, been told to leave until he could pay attention. He had felt so embarrassed at being distracted…but he couldn't help it! At times he wondered if he was merely dreaming again.

When those thoughts ran through his head, his chest clenched painfully, and it hurt to even breath. How would he survive if this were another dream? It hurt so much to be without Yami, and the moment he had returned…he had started having those dreams.

Yugi sighed, lowering his head disconsolately. Yami had returned and he was still so confused. He shook his head a little to try to clear his thoughts and sighed once again.

"Mr. Mutou," his teacher barked out crisply, clearly annoyed. "Is there a problem with the way I teach my class?"

Yugi blushed crimson, and lowed his head in embarrassment. "N-no," he stuttered out, trying to hide his face.

"You seem to have some trouble paying attention to what I have to say. Obviously it isn't as important with whatever is going on in that head of yours."

A few of his classmates snickered, and Yugi fidgeted with his sleeve even more. He couldn't even look his teacher in the eye.

Frowning, the teacher sat down from his pacing, and took out a notepad, scribbling something out.

"Whatever it is that has so thoroughly distracted you from my class you can discuss with the principal. I expect you to return tomorrow with an understanding of the material, and the homework that is due."

Yugi stared blankly at the teacher a moment, until he was motioned to come up to the front of the classroom. Still bright red, he grabbed his things quickly, and shuffled up to the desk, taking the note and murmuring a soft apology.

His teacher looked up a moment, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features, but it smoothed out to something of understanding. A lot of the teachers were aware of the situation Yugi was in, living with his grandfather and all. And since he was a decent student, he usually received a fair amount of compassion from the faculty and staff alike.

"I expect you to be able to concentrate the next time you're in this class," his teacher remarked.

Yugi nodded.

"And if something is bothering you," he continued in a softer tone, "There are people who you can talk to."

Yugi nodded once more, feeling very out of place, until he was shooed out of the classroom. Out in the hallway he let out a huge sigh. Today was started to become a bad day. Everything kept getting more confusing, and he had been sent to the principal's. As he started down the hallway, shuffling his feet slowly, and thought brightened his mind.

Lunch was next period, and he'd finally get a chance to talk to Yami.

What Yugi hadn't expected to find in the principal's office was Joey, however.

Apparently Joey had been sent down after having gotten into a fight in class with some kid who had been picking on him.

"You shouldn't have let him bother you, Joey," Yugi had said softly, sitting down on the bench next to Joey, while they each waited in turn to speak to the Principal.

"I know, Yug," Joey replied, still a little irritated. He was kicking an invisible pebble with his shoe, hands stuffed in his pockets. "The guy was asking for it, though."

Yugi smiled a half-smile in understanding, and Joey continued, albeit a little hesitantly. "And some things have been bugging me lately."

"Like what?" Yugi asked, concerned. Despite the fact that he himself was trying to figure out his own problems, he still cared and worried for his friends beyond anything else, and the cute way he sat there next to Joey, looking a little confused and concerned took to Joey.

But he was still embarrassed.

"It's nothing," he mumbled, turning his head away and looking off at anything else.

Yugi lowered his eyes, a cute frown tugging slightly at his lips. "Joey, if something is bugging you I want to help."

Joey was silent a moment. "I know, Yug. It's just…."

He trailed off a moment, and there was an almost awkward silence, before he started mumbling something so quietly, that at first Yugi couldn't even hear him. He had stared at Joey in complete confusion until Joey had huffed a sigh and said in an exasperated tone, "Fine, I think…" there was a pause, where Joey seemed to collect his courage, and then he rushed on, saying everything very quickly, so that Yugi almost didn't catch it. "I think I might have a crush on Kaiba."

There was an even longer silence. And finally Yugi blinked. "What?"

Joey glared at the ground, annoyed. He wasn't quite sure who he was annoyed with, himself or Seto. Or Yugi, who at least had a chance with the guy he had a crush on.

"It's stupid," Joey muttered, almost growling in frustration. "He's such a jerk, I can't stand him. And it's funny, because no matter how much I dislike him, a part of me doesn't at all. And that just makes me hate him more."

Yugi was silent a moment more, trying to digest this new information. He was still a little stunned. And thinking back on it, yeah, Kaiba was known as one of the hottest guys in school. He was amazing at Duel Monsters, and he had a undeniable confidence to him. Something Yugi envied him of. It kinda made sense that Joey would have a love/hate relationship going on with him.

"Have you talked to him?" he asked finally.

"WHAT?!" Joey's eyes went wide. "No way in Hell I'm telling him. Knowing my luck, it's just a fluke or something. It'll go away if I ignore it."

"Okay," Yugi replied, a little doubtfully. He wanted to support Joey, but somehow he didn't think it would be that easy. Besides, he kind of thought they would make a cute couple. The thought made him laugh a little to himself. 'Who knows?' he thought to himself. 'Stranger things have happened.'

Neither of them had noticed Mokuba, who had snuck in near the entrance to overhear the conversation. He had been sent there by his teacher to deliver some paperwork to the office, even though it was in a different school. He hadn't minded at all, since it got him out of the classroom, and gave him a chance to hang out with his older brother for a little while before he had to go back.

Mokuba wondered how Seto would take to knowing that Joey had a crush on him. Not that it bothered him one way or another, since he was sure nothing would come of it. Sure, Seto would pick on him for it, but he was always picking on him anyway. And besides, even if something did happen, which was unlikely, what were the chances that it would last?

Shrugging to himself, Mokuba ran off to find Seto, leaving the paperwork half-hazardly shoved in the back corner of a desk.

End Chapter 4.

A/n: I know it's a little short, but since classes have started up, I wanted to get something out there. Like it, hate it? Tell us if we're going in the right direction at all. And for those of you who can wait, there will definitely be quite a bit of action in the next chapter. Who knows? We might have to kick up the rating xD.

Akari