Chapter 5

Moi-Moi: Sorry again this took so long to upload guys. I've been so busy with classes. First off, I'd like to give a big "Welcome Aboard!" to Lady Artimes Blaine. She's volunteered to be beta and dueling expert for the fic. So trust that she's excellent and will really give this story a good feel. :D

In other unrelated news, I finally finished reading all of the Harry Potter books! I don't know why I procrastinated so much. But, they're done now. I feel so accomplished and fulfilled. Sigh… Let's get started, shall we?

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"Jii-chan, I really need it back now," Yugi spoke to his grandfather in a patient tone.

Sugoroku held steadfast, a pleading look in his eyes. "But Yugi! I need new bed sheets! And not to mention the shop could use a fresh coat of paint," Sugoroku pleaded as he gripped Kagome's band tightly. Atem watched the scene with mild interest as Kagome levitated just off the ground at his side. Her blue eyes moved from Sugoroku to Yugi and back with each tug of her bracelet in the other's direction.

"Jii-chan! You can't wish for everything you want in life. You have to work hard for what you want. Didn't you tell me that?" Yugi tried again.

At once Sugoroku straightened before clearing his throat. The old man looked about ready to argue, but his mouth remained still. Yugi took the momentary lapse to tug the bracelet free of Sugoroku's grip. Sugoroku blanched before a river of tears burst from his eyes. "But Yugi-!" he started again.

"Maybe after I get back home from school Jii-chan. If you want, I could help you paint over the shop," Yugi tried, but Sugoroku had already slumped off in defeat, his head hung low. Yugi sighed once.

He didn't mean to leave is Jii-chan so upset, but he couldn't let him misuse Kagome's powers. Although, Kagome didn't seem to mind at all. Nonetheless, Yugi had felt a sort of connection to Kagome. Somewhat like his bond with Atem, he considered Kagome a friend and partner. Maybe it was selfish to keep Kagome to himself? But was it better to let his Jii-chan have Kagome conjure up the world for him?

"Yugi-kun, while it is very interesting to watch you stare off into space, may I remind you that you do have to get to school," Kagome supplied him, effectively snapping Yugi out of his daze.

"You're right! I'd better get out of here. Bye, Jii-chan!" Yugi shouted out only to receive a low, woeful moan in reply from the old man. Yugi sighed again as he shut the shop door behind him.

Unlike the first time Yugi had taken Kagome out, she no longer observed each and every technological advancement as if it were something magical and amazing. She walked calmly by his side, this time wearing a bright, yellow sundress and slippers. She was growing quickly accustomed to modern fashion styles.

"Yugi-kun," Kagome spoke to gain his attention. Once she had successfully acquired it along with Atem's, she continued, "You have not told me how things went with Anzu-chan. When will you two be going out?"

"Going out?" Yugi spoke before he could stop himself. He received odd looks from some pedestrians as they passed- a boy talking to himself in such a choked tone was rather strange.

"Yes. Tell me. How did you ask her? How did she respond exactly?" Kagome went on with an eager smile. Yugi felt his face warm and tugged on the collar of his shirt helplessly.

Sensing his host's distress, Atem answered for him. 'He has not asked her as of yet.'

Kagome's smile fell and she shot Yugi a disappointed look. She began tapping her foot mid-air, her arms folded over her chest with a now expectant look. Yugi tried to laugh to decrease the tension, but failed miserably and only received more curious glances from strangers on the street. Not seeing a way out, Yugi quickly relinquished his hold on his body to allow Atem to take control.

"Yugi!" Atem exclaimed in shock as he faced the boy, but Yugi was facing Kagome. A woman took her child by the hand before ushering him away from them with a wary backwards glance at the boy who was shouting at no one.

'Kagome-chan, it's not that I don't want to ask her out. I just can't!' Yugi exclaimed.

"Yugi-kun, we've gone over this. You can do it. You're just letting your fears grab hold of you. Fear is a feeling brought on by the anticipation of something that has not happened. It is foolish to feel such an emotion over something that has not occurred," Kagome said in a simple, mater-of-fact tone.

"Yugi-kun!"

All three of them turned to see who was coming their way. Atem's eyes flew from where Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda were approaching them to where Yugi stood paralyzed. The sight of Anzu seemed to have caused the teen to freeze, a slight blush on his face. Kagome had a reverse reaction as she continued to speak to Yugi's frozen form while making gestures towards Anzu.

"Oi, Yugi. We thought you would be late again," Jounouchi said once they got close.

"Yugi-kun! You have to tell her how you feel! Be confident!"

"I'm here now, Jounouchi. Let's get going," Atem said, still in Yugi's place. Atem could see Anzu shooting him curious glances. He could already tell that she was picking up the subtle differences that told him and Yugi apart. She was becoming quite skilled at differentiating them.

"She's right here, Yugi-kun!"

'Kagome-chan, don't!'

Atem walked on without showing any indication of noticing the two. Kagome was floating about before Anzu with Yugi desperately pulling her back. Anzu walked on, completely oblivious.

"I won't touch her Yugi-kun. Does it bother you that I'm so close? What if I did this?"

'Kagome-chan! Please stop! What is she sees you?'

Atem resisted the urge to shake his head. Floating about Anzu's person, Kagome made any comical faces at the girl, all of which went unnoticed. He was sure that his friends were talking about some homework assignment, but Atem could hardly focus on them.

"I'll stop if you ask her out Yugi-kun," Kagome bargained with a triumphant smirk. Yugi froze up at this, his face now completely red. "Maybe I should just ask her out for you? If you are incapable of stating a claim of interest, I would gladly do it for you. I would only need to borrow your body," Kagome said before floating towards Atem.

Atem and Yugi watched her. Atem's gaze was wary while Yugi's was curious. Just as Kagome's hand rested on Atem's shoulder, he felt a heavy force push on his very being. It was the opposite of his connection with Yugi. When his aibou relinquished his hold, he felt a tug on his soul to fill the body and take Yugi's place. Now, he felt as though he were being pushed roughly out of the body by force. Just as Kagome vanished, Atem felt the final heave just before he became transparent once again. Yugi and Atem stared at each other in shock before looking to Kagome.

"Stand back boys. Watch and learn," she said to them with a wink. "Jounouchi-kun, Honda-kun, why don't you go on ahead? I need to speak to Anzu-chan privately," Kagome spoke in Yugi's voice. Yugi felt his eyes widen. It was so strange to see his body move and speak of its own accord. It was one thing to have Atem control his body. Then, he always felt some semblance of control- like a back seat driver. But now, he had no control at all. He was sure that Atem felt the same.

"Sure Yugi," Jounouchi responded with a curious expression. He and Honda exchanged a look before walking ahead while Kagome and Anzu hung back.

'Kagome-chan, please don't,' Yugi begged. Atem stood back and watched with an expressionless face. He couldn't penetrate the defenses Kagome had put on her hold over Yugi's body. She was purposely keeping them from retaking hold on the body they shared.

"This is for your own good, Yugi-kun. You'll thank me when you're married with three children in the future," Kagome said. Yugi blanched at the thought, but even he had to admit that it did sound like a nice future... Was fortune-telling one of Kagome's powers? Now in Yugi's voice, Kagome spoke again, "Anzu-chan, I never told you this before, but I really admire you…"

Yugi was ready to yell, faint, run away, or do a combination of the three. His eyes scanned Anzu's expression. She looked positively surprised. Her eyes were wide and her mouth had formed a small 'o'. 'Kagome-chan! Stop!'

Kagome ignored him. "I'm not sure if it's just me, but I feel something and I've been feeling it for a while now… I guess what I'm trying to say is, would you consider going out with me?"

Even though he wasn't in his body, Yugi could feel his heart pounding out of his chest. Everything stood still as all three of them watched Anzu's face. She hadn't shifted out of her shocked state, but slowly a small blush was creeping up her face. When she hadn't spoken for nearly thirty seconds, Yugi heaved a sigh.

"Wait a second, Yugi-kun don't give up hope just yet…"

"Yugi-kun, I'm not sure what to say…" Anzu started.

"Say yes?" Kagome prompted with a small smile. It took less time for Anzu to reply. She offered a small nod of her head, her blush growing slightly. Kagome smiled in return before speaking, "Let's get going before we're late," Kagome said before taking Anzu's hand in Yugi's and leading the girl away. Before they could take more than two steps, Kagome relinquished her hold on the body to Yugi and resumed floating by his side.

Surprised at the sudden shift, Yugi hesitated for a second before walking on. Anzu moved to join his side, keeping his hand in hers. Yugi felt his face burn and his hands become clammy. But, he was hard-pressed to remember a time he felt happier.

"You're welcome," Kagome smirked.

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Meanwhile, deep in the deserts of Egypt, a woman was watching the events in her enchanted cauldron. Her tanned hand dipped a finger gently onto the surface of the liquid in the cauldron to disturb the surface. As the ripples moved outward, they displayed a new face, an evil countenance. "He is moving closer, but he still has a ways to go," she announced to the man who resided with her in the dark home.

"Then, we may have to intervene after all," he replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

"I have told you this many times, but you refused to listen," she said in a slightly irritated tone.

"I am listening now. What does it matter?" he responded with a exasperated breath. "I shall acquire our transportation," he said before leaving.

As he left, the woman looked down at the cauldron again. She could sense the man's evil pouring out from her cauldron. Even so far away, his dark heart was affecting her greatly- the evils seeping out and into her, gripping her very being. She was about to cease the connection when she saw him stop in his tracks. she froze and peered down at him curiously. He looked around him in question before looking directly above him…and right at her. A slow grin made its way onto his face before he set off again. The woman let out a small gasp of shock and worry. He was more powerful than she thought.

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Moi-Moi: There you have it! The next chapter shall introduce the start of the plot beginning to truly move forward. Don't we all wish we had a Kagome? ;)

Edited: 4/2/14