Chapter 8:

"Isn't it great?" Miho smiled holding up her wrist that showed a bright yellow watch on it now. "Honda got it for me! He really helped me out by getting it in my place!"

"He's taking your credit." Yami whispered giving an unimpressed look. Yugi just shrugged.

"Friends sure are nice to have huh?" Anzu smirked elbowing Miho a bit.

"Absolutely! I love you Honda!" Miho squealed.

Honda stammered turning bright red.

"Oh, she said "I love you" Honda!" Jounouchi smirked. "Aren't you glad you stood out in the early morning?"

"S-shut up!" Honda yelled turning bright red before trying to put on a 'cool' front. "The world is a dark and dirty place! A true beautification member's job is to purify every heart with kindness and loyalty!" He proclaimed punching the air.

"Isn't that a bit much?" Yugi asked with a sigh.

"How forceful!" Anzu scoffed crossing her arms.

"What's going on?"

They looked to see Natsuki walking up a look of confusion in her eyes.

Yugi smiled and ran up to his sister hugging her. "Nat!"

"Yugi!" She giggled hugging him tightly. "Sorry I'm a little late. Grandpa needed some help with tidying up the shop."

"I understand." Yugi smiled before reaching into his jacket's inner pocket and producing the watch's box. "Here… Got ya something."

Natsuki's eyes widened as she opened it before squealing. "YUGI! You didn't!" She lifted out bright red D-Shock watch eyes wide in wonder. "Oh brother…"

"Do you like it?" He asked hopefully. Natsuki slipped it onto her left wrist before throwing her arms around him. Yugi stumbled back a little bringing his arms around her.

"Yesyesyesyesyesyesyes!" She kissed his cheek. "Best, brother EVER!"

Yugi laughed hugging her tightly. "Aw Nat…"

"Thank you so much!"

"Aww…" Anzu smiled. "So sweet."

"Hey one of you, can I see them?"

Miho and Natsuki blinked. "This D-Shock?"

"Uh uh no way!" Natsuki held her wrist close to her shaking her head. "Mine!"

"Aw come on!"

"NO!" Honda growled. "If your going to try for Miho's D-whatever, then I should have a right to try as well!"

"D-Shock!" Both Jounouchi and Natsuki yelled.

"You want it and you don't even know the name?" The blond questioned with a smirk.

"Shut up!" He held up a fist. "Rock, paper, scissors!"

Jounouchi shrugged. "Alright…"

"DUEL!"

Natsuki sighed as she crossed her arms. "Miho you're really gonna let 'em?"

She nodded.

Anzu rolled her eyes. "Boys."

"Hey." Yugi mumbled quietly.

"We mean those boys, brother." Natsuki thumbed to Honda and Jounouchi.

Yugi shook his head. "Guys… Is it that important-"

"YES!"

Unbeknownst to them they were being watched. The man from before, was watching them intently, specifically at the girls and the watches around their wrists.

Miho was laughing as she and Anzu talked with Natsuki about the boys and their antics. Natsuki was giggling as she adjusted her watch unable to stop fiddling with it. Her eyes focused on something else the man couldn't make out.

Before long the group disappeared inside the establishment.

"Yugi! Let's play a fighting game!" Natsuki pleaded pulling on her sibling's arm. "Please!? Please?!"

"Naaat! That hurts!"

"S-Sorry!"

"You're just full of energy today huh?" Anzu remarked to the youngest of the group. She smiled sheepishly.

"I'm just so happy right now… Nothing can ruin it…"

They soon dispersed to various parts of the arcade, splitting off for various games.

"C'mon Nat let's get some tokens."

Natsuki nodded going with her brother as Yugi tried to get as many as possible out of the machine. "Come on…"

"One…"

"Two…"

A loud ringing noise met their ears as a large amount of coins came out of the machine. "AH! You did it brother!" She squealed.

"I did! I won! Hey Honda look-"

The siblings fell quiet giving Honda a confused look as he was nuzzling Miho's watch that was now on his wrist.

"Somedays I wonder about that guy." Yami whispered mostly to himself.

Yugi shook his head.

"Hey Yugi!" Jounouchi called, gesturing to a fighting game.

Yugi just grinned and ran over after grabbing his share of the tokens. Natsuki shook her head pocketing hers.

"He doesn't need your help to win this one." She whispered to Yami.

"Of course." He chuckled as they went over to watch.

Yugi and Jounouchi sat down at a machine, inputting their tokens and choosing their fighters.

"Don't feel bad if you lose, Yugi." Jonouchi smirked. "Got some fighting experience after all."

Yugi grinned. "I won't!"

"FIGHT!" the game cheered, the two charging their avatars at each other. In a few minutes the battle was over… and Yugi had come out triumphant.

"Yes!" Yugi cheered.

"Gah!" Jounouchi gave him a stunned look. "You really know your stuff with this game."

Natsuki smirked. "Yugi's great at games. No real surprise he's good at video games too."

"And not to mention I've practiced a lot with other players and Nat." Yugi gave a sheepish look. "Grandpa too."

"Your grandpa's a pretty tough player with other games so I'm not surprised." He chuckled.

"The only one he has trouble beating in this game is our Dad… And dad STILL loses." Natsuki giggled.

"I get lucky sometimes…"

Yami chuckled. "He's got half the title of Game King in his name so… he's more or less born into this."

Jounouchi shook his head. "So modest! You don't brag like other players would- That includes your sister."

"Oh HUSH!" Natsuki turned a little red. "I'm-I'm not a sore winner!"

"So she says."

"Yuuugi!"

Yugi held up his hands.

"Now, now, let's not get into an argument here, we're all here to have fun."

"Right, right sorry."

"Yeah… Sorry bro." Natsuki stretched a little. "I think I'm gonna hit the vending machines… I'll see you in a few- Want anything?"

"Coke would be nice." Yugi smiled, handing her some money.

Natsuki nodded taking it before she headed off.

"One coke it is!"

Why do I feel like we're being watched though? It's empty in here besides the employees…

Yami materialized beside her.

"If you're worried I'm right here."

She gave him a grateful look. "Thanks Yami… I can't shake this feeling that someone's watching us… It's creeping me out."

"I'll keep a look out then. If worst comes to worst I'll come out and see what I can do… for now… just relax… And I'm curious as to what coke is. Never heard of the thing."

Natsuki blinked. "Really? You've never heard of it?"

"I've only been bonded to Yugi for two months, and half the time I'm busy sleeping."

"Got ya… Well…" She inserted her money into the machine, selecting coke as the familiar red can dropped down. She picked it up holding it up. "It's this. It's a drink, that tastes really sweet. It's also got a lot of caffeine… Yugi doesn't drink it too often since it makes him really hyper but he still likes it."

"Interesting…" Yami looked at the can. "I'd say I'd like to try some buuut kind of dead here."

"Next time you and Yugi switch places, use the puppy face so you can try some of this stuff." Natsuki replied as she got her own drink, a Sprite before carrying them back over lowering her voice to a whisper. "I'd like to see you try some of the stuff he likes."

"Next game." he said, following her back.

"AAAHHHHHHHHH! I LOST IT! I LOST IT!"

"Hm?"

Both rushed over… and both of them trying not to laugh as Honda was basically tearing the arcade apart in a frantic mode… and wasn't wearing a shirt.

"What in the…?" Yami started, bringing a hand to his face.

"What did he do?" Natsuki asked as Anzu and Miho came over confusion in their faces.

"I don't know, but we'll find out. Hey Honda! What did you lose!?"

"MIHO'S D-WHATEVER! I CAN'T FIND IT!"

"Well you're certainly not gonna find it like that!" Jounouchi threw his shirt at him. "For Pete's sake put the rest of your clothes back on!"

Yugi leaned in, whispering to Natsuki. "He was in his boxers earlier. Thankfully you missed that."

Natsuki had to bite her lip to keep from laughing as her hands were full. "H-He was!? Oh my gosh…"

Miho looked at Honda hurt in her eyes. "You… You lost it?!" She shrieked a little.

Honda looked to her, guilt in his eyes. "I-I didn't mean to I promise I'll-"

"Don't… Just don't!" She shoved him a little before making her way for the door. "I HATE YOU!"

Natsuki and Anzu cringed. "She didn't mean it I'm sure-"

THUD!

Honda was on the floor, tears coming down like waterfalls on his face.

"I'VE LOST MIHO!" He cried out, burying his face in his hands.

"Oh boy…" Yugi brought a hand to his face.

"Well, let's all look for it." Anzu suggested cringing at seeing one of her friends break down like this. "With all our eyes we're sure to find it. It's bright yellow, it can't hide against the floor. It's pure white."

"Let's split up then."

Everyone nodded, breaking off in their own direction, save Yugi and Natsuki. They decided to stick together.

"Hey… Nat?" Yugi asked.

"Yeah bro?" She looked up from where she was looking.

"... Call me weird if you want… but I can't help but feel we're gonna need Yami soon… just… I feel dread."

"So it's not just me." Natsuki frowned. "When I was getting the drinks I felt like I was being watched… Yami said he'd look out for us but… I still don't feel at ease… It's like this wasn't an accident…"

"Considering my "track record" I just know something is wrong… Yami…?"

"I understand…" he answered, looking around, eying someone. "Didn't we see that same man earlier?"

Yugi followed Yami's gaze and gulped. It was the same man from the watch store who had knocked Ayaka over and grabbed him trying to steal one of the watches. "Oh yeah… I'd know that face anywhere."

Natsuki gave them a confused look.

"Where would you find a creep like that?"

Yugi cringed.

"The watch store apparently. He tried to take the watch I got for you."

Her eyes widened as a hand went to her wrist.

"Yugi… Oh please tell me he didn't hurt you…"

"Honda stopped him, but… he's dangerous… and if was willing to steal from me earlier..." It clicked Yugi's head. "No…"

Yami narrowed his eyes. "I believe we have a thief to stop."

She growled. "And we're gonna catch him too."

"Let's go."

Yugi hurried after the man, holding his millennium puzzle up a little.

"Be ready."

"Always am." Yami said, the eye on his forehead appearing for a moment.

They followed the man down to the darker parts of the arcade.

"Hey!" Yugi called.

The man turned around, seeing the two. "What do you two brats want?"

Natsuki narrowed her eyes.

"You took our friend's D-Shock!"

"Pheh… She's not worthy to have something like this." He held up his wrist, showing the watch. "Something like this only belongs to a proper owner."

Yugi growled a bit himself. "Give it back!" he charged at him, only to be met with a punch to the stomach. Yugi cried out, falling to the floor. "Ngh…"

"Yugi!" Natsuki hurried to him getting in front of him. "What is WRONG with you!?" She shrieked at the man. "It's a stupid watch!" She rolled up her sleeve showing her own. "You think your tough picking on him!?"

"SHUT UP!"

He went to punch her, only to stop half way as the millennium puzzle shined brightly, catching him off guard.

"W-What the…?"

Yugi… Yami… got up slowly, glaring at the man.

"Game time…"

The room lit up as a panel on the floor opened up, a cuckoo bird shooting up and nipping the watch off of the man's wrist before vanishing again.

Oh he's getting creative. Natsuki liiikes.

"H-HEY!" The man growled. "Give it back! That's mine!"

Yami smirked. "You'll get it back… maybe… you just have to play a game with me." He had Natsuki stand behind him. "If you're up for it, that is."

"Screw you!"

Yami crossed his arms. "It's a really easy game… whoever wins gets the watch."

The man glared at him. "And if you lose?"

This is Yami, he never loses. Natsuki rolled her eyes.

A large clock pendulum swung down between them.

"I think if either of us is too slow it's obvious." Yami smirked.

The man smirked. "I see…. alright, indulge me, freak."

Yami smirked back.

"The rules are simple… The bird will appear again. When it does, the goal of the game is to stop the watch as close to 10 seconds as possible. But note if you go over 10 seconds the pendulum will without a doubt hit you. Whoever gets closest to 10 seconds wins."

"Alright. I'll go first."

"Very well… Game… Start."

The bird popped out of its hiding place as the seconds began counting off. The man rushed to stop it just as it reached nine seconds. He pulled back narrowing his eyes as the pendulum missed him. "There…. Beat that… Nine."

Yami smirked as the bird disappeared. He closed his eyes.

"Start."

It appeared as the seconds began ticking off.

What's that brat doing…?

"Yami…?" Natsuki murmured confused as well.

The young man shot forward as he pressed the stop moving his hand down as the pendulum swung, missing it…

As it showed…

9.95 seconds.

"WHAT!?"

Yami smirked. "Guess I win."

"No! Let me go another round!"

I'm not gonna lose!

"Hmph. Fine." Yami crossed his arms.

The man shoved him aside. "I'm doing it from this side."

He had more time… that's gotta be it.

Yami rolled his eyes, keeping Natsuki close to him as they switched.

It was a few moments before the bird appeared again. The man seemed nervous.

Something feels different.

Just as the watch was closing in on ten seconds, he was met with an ugly surprise of the pendulum coming early.

It's moving faster!

He went to press the watch, only to have the pendulum stop him, him letting out a shriek, holding his hand.

"Augh!"

"Shame." Yami muttered, going to take the watch.

The man growled, snatching it from him.

Yami narrowed his eyes.

"You'll be wise to give that to me. I don't appreciate cheaters."

He shook his head.

"NO! It's mine! You can't have it, it's mine!"

Natsuki sighed shaking her head. "Should I turn around brother?"

Yami covered her eyes.

"The Yami No Game shows the true nature of a person… you're obsession will lead to you're undoing…" The eye appeared on his forehead, a look of doom in his eyes as he stared at the man. "The door of darkness opens!"

The man looked at his injured hand as he gasped seeing clockwork instead of flesh. He couldn't unhear the ticking of the watch as his own watches seemed to intertwine with his body. "No… NO!"

He fell to the ground screaming at the illusion took over completely….Dropping the item he was willing to steal and cheat for.

Yami took the watch, leading Natsuki away. As they left, things returned to normal around them. Yami left Yugi's body, Yugi returning to his normal height. He rubbed his head a bit.

"Head rush…"

Natsuki hugged her brother tightly.

"You okay…?"

"Yeah… I'm more or less used to it but… I get headaches sometimes…"

She nuzzled him. "Oh brother…"

"Sorry… If I knew how to keep it from bothering you I would…" Yami gave an apologetic look.

"It's okay, Yami." Yugi smiled. "Really. It's short lived."

He smiled giving a nod. "Right."

"And looks like Miho won't be able to be mad at Honda anymore since we got her watch back." Natsuki winked.

"Yup!"

"Though… I have to ask. You still have those two sodas?"

Yugi blinked. "Why so curious Yami?"

He gave a sheepish look.

"I….I've never had soda…"

It clicked in Yugi's mind, a laugh escaping his mouth.

"How about this, we return the watch, and after that, you can come out again? You saved Honda some trouble so you deserve something."

Yami perked up at this nodding quickly.

"Sounds good to me!"

"I swear you two are adorable." Natsuki laughed as she started to head out.

"M-Me!? Cute?!" Yami exclaimed.

Yugi laughed. "You look like me! You've got what Nat calls my cute charm!"

Yami chuckled as he crossed his arms.

"I get ya… Well that's one upside to these looks." He ruffled Yugi's hair. "Thank you for letting me take over."

"Anytime, Yami."

oooooo

Honda was full of praise as soon he got the watch returned to him, he soon rushed out, calling Miho's name.

"Wait for me my love!"

Jounouchi shook his head.

"Oi…. I'm going home… See you guys later."

Jounouchi left, leaving Anzu along with Yugi and Natsuki.

"Well this was a rather crazy day." Anzu sighed, looking to the siblings. "Where did you find that by the way?"

"Bathroom." Yugi replied. "Honda had left it on a sink."

"Yep, so it was an easy find. Just wanted to clean it up a little and make sure it didn't get wet." Natsuki added.

Took pretty long for just cleaning it up… Anzu thought but decided she didn't want to know. "I see. You two really saved his day."

"Yeah." Yugi rubbed the back of his neck. "Miho means a lot to him so… yeah… Now where did Nat leave those sodas she bought?"

Anzu pointed over to the fighting game Yugi and Jounouchi had been playing earlier. "Right there, they're still over there."

"Sweeet!" Natsuki sighed in relief. "Least those didn't get snatched."

"Seriously." Yugi sat down in one of the chairs, taking his coke. "They're still cold enough too."

Natsuki grabbed her sprite popping the top. "Cheers to another victory?"

Yugi nodded. "Ahuh!" He clanked his can with hers. Have to wait till Anzu leaves, sorry Yami.

Natsuki smiled taking a drink. "Hey Anzu? What time did your folks want you back?"

Anzu glanced at the clock mounted on the wall. "Oh gosh…! Try ten minutes from now! I gotta go! I'll see you in school Yugi!"

Anzu hurried out, leaving the two alone.

Yugi looked around for a moment to be sure no one was looking. Soon as it was clear, he closed his eyes, letting Yami come out.

Yami opened his eyes, showing they were red again.

"It's weird… I always only come out for games."

"Well you're one of us." Natsuki leaned on the machine a little. "You deserve some down time too."

"Yeah!" Yugi cheered, appearing as an apparition to Yami.

Yami smiled, opening his soda.

"Thank you…"

"Alright Game King, stop stalling and get drinking. I wanna see how you like it." Natsuki smirked.

Yami rolled his eyes, taking a drink. He was rather surprised at how sweet it tasted… it was nice.

I don't think I ever tasted anything like it…

He grinned. "Tastes wonderful."

"Have as much as you like." Natsuki smiled. "You earned it brother."

Yami nodded, taking another sip.

"Save some for me." Yugi said, giving a kicked puppy look.

"Hrk! O-Of course Yugi." Yami smiled. "I won't drink all of it."

"Drink all of it, it's replaceable."

"Natsuki!"