Title: Hidden In the Creases
Series: These Days We Celebrate
Summary: A day off of school should be filled with fun, and smiles, and festivities… Not fevers, studies, and far too much colored paper.
Rating: G for 'General Audience'
Author: Phoebe Delos
Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! DM
Spoilers: Pretty much nothing- This is circa post-Duelist Kingdom, pre-Dungeon Dice Monsters.
Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! isn't mine. It is sad, but true…
Notes: I love getting to name Yuugi's mother. Oh, and I indirectly quoted a lecture series in this chapter, called Understanding Japan: A Cultural History. You should expect the next chapter around May 28!

:: Nov 3 – Culture Day ::

"Yuugi-kuuuun! Turn off your alarm and come down! Your rice and eggs are getting cold!"

"Guhh…" The sound Yuugi made was barely human, and he honestly couldn't say which way was up or down, as he tried to rise. He simply leaned the direction he didn't feel the obstruction of a mattress.

"Yuugiiii-"

"Yeees-" he called back, only to get cut off by a long, hacking cough. W-what-

Sorry, aibou.

"Eh?" Yuugi blinked the room into hazy focus, and found his other self sitting there at the desk, his arms crossed tight over his blue pajama shirt. Somehow he looked even more tired than Yuugi felt, with his frown and heavy eyes. "What are you sorry for?"

"You alright, my boy?" interrupted a voice before the spirit could answer. His grandpa stood in the door, already dressed for the day and looking mildly concerned to find Yuugi still in bed. "Your alarm has been going off for five minutes."

"Oh- Ah, sorry Jii-chan!" Yuugi turned around to pick up the clock that, quite honestly, he had barely noticed.

His ears were ringing all on their own, what was one artificial addition?

…w-wait. Had he, even set his alarm the night before? When did he do that? He was, reading, last he remembered…

"…one moment-" His grandfather turned and disappeared, distracting Yuugi from his inner confusion by calling 'Yui-chan!' out in the hallway.

"-wonder what that's about," Yuugi mumbled as he shifted to the edge of the bed, movements once again slow and sluggish without a familial witness.

I think I can guess.

"Oh?" Yuugi looked at him expectantly, only to stall toeing into his house slippers as he noticed the quiet, satisfied sort of edge to his other's expression. "-what are you thinking, mou hitori no boku?"

The spirit flicked his gaze back up to Yuugi's face- But he said nothing… And when he instantly turned to observe the two coming into the room, Yuugi was hit with a certainty that he had stalled his reply on purpose.

"Is it true?"

"Huh?" Yuugi blinked up, taken aback by the frown on his mother's face… But not, really baffled. He could take a guess what she meant, and all he could really do in the face of it was smile widely and move to stand. "What do you mean, Mama? Sorry, but I can't get dressed with you in here, but if you're okay with me eating in my paja-"

-in the end, daring to talk that long sealed his own fate.

The cough hit him mid-word as he slammed into some unseen limit to his endurance, racking him with hacks at the worst possible moment.

His mother's hand was on his brow before the coughing even passed.

"So it is. You're burning up, Yuugi-kun!"

"-it's nothing…" he mumbled, more on impulse than any sense of that he would get anywhere. No, he knew as soon as his mother and grandpa locked eyes with those concerned frowns... But still, he felt the need to argue. "It's just a cold or something."

"Still, if you have a fever, then you are sick. Too sick to work," his grandpa admonished. "There's no helping it, Yuugi. You can come down to eat if your mother approves, but you are not helping in the shop."

"But-!"

"No arguments, Yuugi-kun," his mother cut in, tone sharp where his grandfather's had been firm. "I will help Otou-san in the shop. You need to rest so that you can go to school tomorrow- And you would likely discourage the customers, even if we did let you come down. What if one of them caught your cold?"

Yuugi had already shut his mouth at her initial order, but he had just been waiting for a chance to protest again- Until she said that.

A distant whiff of warm sympathy passed through his senses, but he couldn't acknowledge it or turn to his other- Not while he gave his family a slow, downturned nod. "Alright, Mama," he mumbled, moving to go back to bed without looking up.

…aibou, turn around.

The soft order spun him back around, and he discovered his two guardians sharing a look- Uncertain, hesitant. And when they noticed him there, staring so curiously, his grandfather gave a humming sigh. "Hmm, Yui-chan, did you finish those turtles for the bags yet?"

"Oh… No, I didn't. I was going to do them this morning after breakfast," Mama turned to Yuugi as she explained. "He means the origami turtles we were going to gift every customer who came by and purchased something the hour before the parade starts this afternoon- As an advertisement."

"Yes, and now you're going to be in the shop at the same time that you were going to make them," his grandpa 'observed', meeting Yuugi's eye with a satisfied grin. "That wouldn't take you out of bed, and you can stop if you get tired- So, do you think you could sub in with paper-folding today, my boy?"

"I can show you how to do it, and I have a brochure with the instructions I learned it from," his mother pitched in with a small smile- One Yuugi met with a far wider, relieved echo.

"Sure- I can handle that!" He would do anything if it would help relieve some of the guilt of watching his friends and family work their butts off because he had the worst timing with a cold!

And making paper turtles, even he could handle that!

"How… Did I fold one of the flaps the wrong way in the last step?"

I don't think so. Maybe the lines were just not straight enough at the initial folding?

"…and I just figured out how to do the feet properly," Yuugi sighed as he finally gave up, dropping the green scrap of folded paper onto the tiny pile growing at the foot of his desk. "I wish there was a way to retry with the same paper- That stuff has to be expensive, and I'm wasting a lot of it."

That was only your fourth try, aibou. I am sure you will master it soon, and then the rest will flow quickly enough.

"Yeah… Yeah, you're right!" He dropped both hands to his desktop with a determined nod, looking up just long enough to shoot the spirit a grin before grabbing another square of paper from the colorful pile before him. "Thanks! I'll keep at it. There should be enough here- I can go all day if I have to, or at least until the parade starts."

Right… But-

-?

The question was clear in Yuugi's eyes as he glanced up, but the hovering spirit dropped his gaze to frown at the desk- And the hands that had just barely started folding blue paper in half. Didn't you have a test tomorrow morning to study for?

"…the readings…" Yuugi had apparently forgotten completely, given the way he looked at the book that he had pushed aside earlier- Still left open at the top of his desk. "I- Didn't I finish them last night?"

He had barely even started, but his other did not say so. Need not say so, for the realization was clear in Yuugi's face- In the reconfiguration of the thoughts behind his eyes and-

"I- I can probably finish both today, right?"

Again, his other did not reply.

The truth was he thought Yuugi could do it. He could do pretty much anything, if he set his mind to it. But the spirit was wary to encourage him in that particular endeavor. He had seen firsthand how it strained him to read through a fever, and trying in a medicine fog likely wouldn't prove much better. Even if Yuugi started studying as soon as he finished the origami, he would likely be at it for the rest of the day, and-

"You don't look happy."

The spirit blinked out of a subconsciously formed glower to discover Yuugi twisted about, staring up at him. The familiar perception in those eyes jolted through his thoughts, sent him sliding back in the air a few inches as he crossed his arms. -I was wondering if you'll have enough time to rest and recover if you do both. You're still sick, after all.

"-right," Yuugi mumbled, frowning down the text and paper spread out across his desk. "There won't be much point to all that studying if they just send me home tomorrow before the test- Or if I can't even go in." That wasn't exactly the spirit's point, but before he could say so his partner sighed and turned to him again. "But unless you have another idea, I don't know what else to do- Except maybe skip the studies, and hope for the best."

No. There had to be another way. They just needed some way for Yuugi to finish everything he needed to with enough time left over to rest- And enough of a clear head to take in what he had to read in the first place.

But the night before had shown he couldn't think straight with that cold, or flu, or whatever it was. The other Yuugi had felt it himself when he was in the flesh, and he could only imagine how Yuugi felt right then. The spirit could sense the edges of a groggy haze himself but, there was no strain on his own coherency. He could think straight, because he had no flesh to ail him.

…I have an idea.

Yuugi- He had just started folding that blue paper again when the other spoke up, prompting surprised eyes to skip up with an airy rush of question. "What do you mean?"

-what if I made the turtles, and you studied for the test?

The spirit expected the pause that followed – the struggle humming like static from his partner's mind – and endured it easily. He focused instead on dropping down to his own feet, 'standing' at Yuugi's side as he pointed to the book. The text is small. It would take a good few minutes to read through each page, even with your notes from school to help, so you don't need to touch it for long periods. You could easily read for a while, and let me know when you need me to turn or flip a page, or jot something down-

"I get it. I can focus on my studies while you work on the origami, because I wouldn't need my body to read."

-exactly. It shouldn't have been a surprise that his partner would catch on so quickly, but the flat, frowning way Yuugi summarized the plan left the spirit stiff, staring uncertainly as he dropped his hand. If it seems like a bad plan-

"No, it's a really good one," he admitted, only to blink that frown up on his other, pinning him down the simple weight of his expression. "But… The medicine and cough drops help, mou hitori no boku, but it's still not fun- You'd be stuck with my sore throat and useless head while you work, for who knows how long."

-that's no worse than what you were looking to endure, the spirit countered, finding his bearing and confidence again, knowing his partner's only complaint was his well-being. And I won't need to study afterwards, like you- And it's no good if I study in your place. You are the one who has to take the test. So if we split the tasks, I should be the one to make the turtles.

Yuugi nodded, but it was clearly his head his other had convinced, not his heart. He just kept looking down at his lap, crumbling the material of his pajama pants in his fists as uncertainty and regret churned in his mind.

The sight- What caused it warmed the spirit's chest and marked his voice as he called to his partner, drew his gaze back up to his. I don't like just sitting by, when I know there is something I could do to help. Please, aibou… Let me help.

Something twitched across Yuugi's face, and through his heart- Something laced with surprise and softness and wonder and, other things that the spirit had no name for. Emotions that possibly had no name at all, because they were just too subtle and fleeting to ever be pinned down and labeled.

But they were good feelings, he knew that much- Felt it in his own vague reaction.

"Right…" Yuugi broke their gaze again, only to sniff a small, shy laugh as he knocked one knuckle against the center of his brow- A subconscious centering motion. "Of course… Sorry, mou hitori no boku. I was so caught up in not burdening anyone else that I… Sure. I would really owe you one, but if you want to do it that way-"

I do. The instant surety drew those checking violet eyes back up, and the spirit met them with an easy smile. And you should know there's no such thing as 'burdens' or 'debts' between us.

And if there was, well… The one who owed the other everything, was him.

But he kept that thought to himself, and it did not disturb the moment as Yuugi slowly smiled back, and nodded- And the spirit was quick to ask, Shall we get started?

It was fairly quick, uneventful transition. Yuugi arranged the book and all of his notes on his bed as he liked, checking with his other self the whole while if he had caught all of the instructions to make the turtles, if anything was unclear- And in less than a minute, the other Yuugi had taken control of the flesh.

The throat was, indeed, still sore.

But there was a cough drop tucked in the fold of his right cheek – fruity, and vaguely metallic – and it stifled any urge to cough, even as he looked over to the Yuugi 'spirit' sitting on the bed and spoke to him. "-settled in, then?"

Yup- You see Mama's brochure there?

"Aa, I think I'm good." He had been watching his partner's efforts, after all.

-that didn't mean he got it right on the first try, however. Watching and doing were two different things, after all, and the other Yuugi found himself struggling to fold the hind feet the right way, just as Yuugi had. The dizzy weight in his head did not help, either, as he struggled to interpret the little pictures on the brochure and what they were asking him to do- But thankfully he had a good two or three hundred squares to work with, and nothing to do but keep trying.

And around the fifth or six turtle, something finally began to click.

Mou hitori no boku, could you turn the p- Ah! Awesome! You got one!

"Yes," the other Yuugi answered in satisfaction, setting an orange paper turtle on the desk before turning to his grinning partner. "Next page, then?"

Yup!

The rest flowed naturally after that. The task proved to be like riding a bicycle- Once done correctly, each attempt after just strengthened the ease and speed of the task. Soon the other Yuugi had a new, colorful turtle for every four pages his partner requested him to turn- Then every two pages. Then every one!

He had reached the point where he was tossing finished turtles to the floor – there was no more room for them on the desk – when it occurred to him that, no matter how fast he had gotten with the things, it was strange… He shouldn't be able to finish three without Yuugi requesting another page turn.

The thought made him suddenly aware of it- A pleasant, buzzy feeling on the edge of his senses… Like, intrigue? Not quite, but… It was so subtle, he hadn't noticed it creeping into his senses until just then.

It painted his own mind with shock, even before he turned his head and found Yuugi sitting there, right where he had left him- Staring at him instead of his notes.

The vague, absorbed light in Yuugi's eyes was gone in a blink, but it had been there. And all the other Yuugi could do was stare in mute confusion as his partner dissolved into a tense, blustering mess.

Ah… Sorry!

"-was I distracting you somehow, aibou?"

No! Yuugi denied, trying to straighten his notes- Only to blush as he apparently remembered that he couldn't touch them, and turned to scratching at the back of his head, instead. I just- Well… You've gotten really good at making those?

The other Yuugi… Blinked. "Thank you?" It was the only thing he could think to say, because he wasn't even sure what to ask. Wasn't sure if he was missing something through the fog of his head… But Yuugi accepted his reply with a simple nod, and slowly, carefully turned a smile his way.

Hey- My mind was starting to wander there, so, would you mind if I read out loud? It might help me take it in. …I mean, if you don't think it would distract you-

"No," the spirit cut in, expression lightening as Yuugi's turned hopeful. "That would be good- I was starting to zone out too much myself. It might help me, too."

…cool! Yuugi cried out, and whatever odd energy might have been in the air, it was swept away by his smile. The spirit reciprocated it until Yuugi turned back to his book, clearing his throat before reading. -by the time of his death in 1582, Oda Nobunaga had brought a central third of the country under his control, covering a broad area around the traditional capital of Kyoto.

The spirit chuckled to himself and turned back to his work with a shake of his head. He wouldn't take in even half of what Yuugi was saying – he knew that right then and there, as most of it got caught in the thick cobwebs between his ears – but the rhythm of his partner's voice was a warm hum in his mind as his fingers moved, mindless but motivated, over a new square of paper.

-this period of unification, or reunification began in the 1560s, specifically-

The other Yuugi dropped a purple turtle onto the floor.

-are you comfortable, aibou?

"Hnn…" Yuugi hummed, slowly opening his eyes to find the spirit hovering over him.

He was as comfortable was he was probably going to get, tucked into bed with the lights out and fresh medicine in him… But that wasn't much good in the face of his temperature.

His fever had finally peaked.

His mother had come up maybe an hour ago for the turtles. And since he had nothing else to do for the rest of the day save rest, Yuugi had felt free to take it easy and play a few rounds of Free Cell until he got sleepy, with his other's input when he started missing obvious moves.

He won maybe three games before he felt too dizzy to keep going… And he just couldn't ignore the appeals to go to bed anymore.

Since then, he had only gotten worse.

I am sorry the voice went on, the words prompting Yuugi to open and keep his eyes open that time, to take in the regret he saw in his other's gaze. I kept taking the painkillers and working when I should have realized your body was worn out… I should have stopped sooner.

"No…" Yuugi croaked, reaching over to his desktop to grab another cough drop and pop it into his mouth before trying again. "-I never would have gotten the turtles and my studies done, if you hadn't pushed through… I mean it," he pressed when he saw his other moving to talk- to protest. And whatever fight had been in the spirit a moment ago died away as Yuugi shot him a sleepy smile. "Thank you, mou hitori no boku… I dunno what I would have done without you."

The spirit opened his mouth again, ready to speak… Only to shut it, some feeling floating across his face and through Yuugi's head. Like, pain, but warmer… Sweeter.

He didn't say anything, but the small, vague smile he offered assured Yuugi he understood… So the boy shut his eyes again.

He dozed for a few seconds, or maybe an hour, before some strange, foreign sounds dragged him back to consciousness.

He squinted through the dim light of sunset streaming into his room to find his other floating in the air, looking out of the skylight. "-what is it?"

It's the parade. It's been passing by for a while now… It's probably almost over.

That probably explained what his other was doing out of the Puzzle, too, but Yuugi didn't ask. He just blinked up at him, rolling onto his side to reach for another cough drop as he asked, "-what's going by?"

Some ladies in crane costumes. There's some dancers in traditional dress coming up behind them.

"Mmm…" Yuugi had seen enough of these parades to put together an image from what the spirit said, but it blended and blurred into the fog of his mind, leaving him floating in that still, weightless place between sleep and awake.

Chances were, he would later be unsure if the dancing cranes had been a dream, or a conscious imagining.

There was no draft or sound to mark it, but still Yuugi knew when his other had moved, and come back to his side. -do you need anything?

"No…" Yuugi mumbled, cracking a smile for the face frowning over him before shutting his eyes again. "Just, tell me about the parade?"

…alright. And he moved again- Must have returned to window, because there was only a slight pause, and then- There are some more band members going by, playing horns, with children interspersed among them, dressed in old period kimonos… I think I can see some warriors coming up around the road- Yes, they're wearing scabbards on their hips. Perhaps they will do a demonstration when they come by the corner…

Yuugi would never really know, because he nodded off before the samurai made it to the shop.

The fever dragged him into sleep- But didn't let him rest easy. He would recall it later, waking up once or twice more to the sound of the music and crowds outside, nodding off again without ever lifting his head from the pillow.

The room was properly dark again, the street quiet, when a cough stirred him awake enough to roll over and pop a pill and another drop into his mouth… And he squinted at the world beyond his desk as he swallowed.

He was looking for him, without even being conscious of it- But there was no one there in the shadow of his window.

He didn't even have to call out, though. A moment's uncertainty in his own mind, and pinpoints of pressure buzzed at his wrist.

Are you alright, aibou? Did you need something?

Yuugi fell back into his pillow, blinked down at the shadow sitting there on his bed… and shook his head. "No…"

The pinpricks squeezed lightly, marked more by the shift of his skin than any real sensation of pressure. Then rest. You already set your alarm, so you can sleep until morning.

Yuugi let his eyes drift shut… A smile twitching at his lips for the permission to slide back into dreams.

He couldn't be bothered to nod, but he turned his hand to catch that tingling sensation in his own grip, and squeezed it.

He never thought to question it- Or why it had been there in the first place.

"Night, mou hitori no boku…"

…good night, aibou.

The hum remained there in his palm, until he fell asleep.