Author's Rant: Thanks for reading! Please forgive any typos. I won't have time to proofread until after work. Enjoy the next chapter!

~Side note: Corrects made~

Condemnation

Yugi knew a decision was made the moment Coach walked out of the front office and looked at him like he'd just been to a funeral. Yugi held his breath a moment before deciding it was best to get the day over with instead of prolonging the evitable.

As soon as he stepped foot on the school grounds Monday morning, he was bombarded with people for twenty straight minutes asking how long he'd been involved with gangs, if it was true if he'd been fucking with the gang leaders—how the hell that one got out was a mystery to Yugi—and a slew of other rumors so farfetched, Yugi cast a rotten glare toward the idiots who insulted him by asking.

Yugi's savior turned out to be Ryou, who had enough of a soft glare to warn off everyone from bothering Yugi anymore. He didn't have to ask where Tristan was. The brunet swore when he called Yugi last night that if he saw him, he was likely to kick his ass on sight. Tristan refused to listen to whatever excuse Yugi had. He wouldn't accept anymore of Yugi's calls and when Yugi tried to relay indirect messages to his best friend, the middle man, sometimes Duke or Rebecca, would come back with a dark frown or tearful eyes.

He was really mad this time, Yugi realized because Tristan's neighboring desk was vacant in homeroom. During the rest of the day, Tristan never showed. During second, third, fourth, lunchtime and P.E., the brunet never arrived. Yugi readjusted in his seat during chemistry to ease some of the tension in his arm when he heard a distinct screech come from outside. Puzzled, he lifted an eyebrow and looked around the classroom. Some of the students had their heads down, some were carrying conversation amongst themselves and a few were actually paying attention to today's lecture. Was he the only one that heard that?

Screech!

There it was again. Yugi leaned back his chair and peered outside the glass pane. There were two cars outside, one platinum silver 2003 Acura and the other a yellow 2007 mustang curved around each other and both with donut style tire tracks in their wake. Yugi curiously tapped his pen against his bottom lip, narrowing his eyes to get a better focus on what was going on.

A man with long lavender hair stepped out of the Acura a moment later, wearing in a plain purple dress shirt and pressed cream slacks. The door to the mustang opened up to a pair of men Yugi had never seen before, but the way they stalked over to the richly dressed man, spoke plenty of what kind of people they were. That alone should've gave Yugi pause, but what shook him was how they were both wearing different colors.

Never, ever in his entire life had he ever seen an RES step near a BEA without there being gunfire involved. And here were the men from different ends of the city, casually chatting it up and talking with this guy as if they did it all the time. They came out of the same car. But why? Yugi wished he could be a fly near their mouths for a second just to listen on whatever they were talking about. It looked shady. And even shadier when cash and weapons were exchanged.

Yugi spotted an MK47 and several M16s pulled from the back of the Acura and handed over to the gang members. A trade? Done across the street from a high school? Yugi figured these guys to be incredibly bold or foolish. Domino City High School was in the dead center of Medium grounds.

Grimly thinning his lips, Yugi shook his head and turned away. Like it or not, there wasn't a thing he could do. Being a resident of the Red Eye's Territory placed him under a delicately written code on the streets. He couldn't utter a whisper without rumors circulating and eventually falling back on him.

He gripped his pen—immediately regretting it after the strain flexed his tender muscles—and leaned back quietly to continue his observation. There was another car out there this time. He hadn't heard it come up but . . . something about it was very vaguely familiar. It had a faded solid black exterior and from the looks of it, could've been either 2006 or '07.

It was . . . . It was a Tahoe. A 2007 Black Tahoe Z71. Yugi took in a long breath and trapped the air in his chest. He quickly glanced away and forced his mind to concentrate on the school work. He refused to believe that that was the same car. Dozens of people drove around in black Tahoe's these days. The car was especially common in the urban areas and the school distinct wasn't too far from the surrounding neighborhoods.

Yugi told himself to remain calm and make sense of what the teacher was lecturing about instead of assuming that that was the very same car that Heba was last seen getting into.

By the time Yugi decided to take one last glance, none of the cars were outside. All of them were gone. His purple eyes widened, darting from each end of the street, seeing nothing but empty spaces. His fingers lightly drummed over the healing bullet wound in thought. Whatever took place outside looked every bit as traitorous as a knight cutting the strings of his ally's bows.

Red and blue never mixed.

Yugi suddenly snorted at himself and shook his head. So why should he care what was going on? Let the gangs do as they wanted. He'd had his fill of dealing with them for one life time, thank you very much. If— and shame on him for thinking so negatively—it was something horrible and dangerous, whatever consequences came upon Atem and Yami, were too good for them.

Yugi could never bring himself to face the two devils again. They'd done more than their fair share of proving just how prideful, arrogant, terrible, dangerous and evil they could be. "They didn't even let me explain," Yugi growled through clenched teeth. After two weeks of not seeing either gang leader, Yugi still had a terribly sour taste in his mouth for the pair. How was he supposed to know Yami would be there? Had Atem ever considered that since Yugi lived in Red Eye lands that he could've possibly been seeing a Red Eye?

No-no that was stupid. Of course, Yugi hadn't been dating a red blood. There were too many times where he'd stressed how much he despised gangs. But still!

Chemistry period ended twenty minutes later. Yugi gathered his books with a little help from a couple of students who were always eager to lean the school's "star" a helping hand. The final portion of the day was what he dreaded most of all. Walking down the marble coated hallways, hugging as tight as he could to the wall lockers to avoid being trembled, Yugi tried to mentally prepare himself for the speech that'd determined how he'd finish his senior year and the career he'd been wanting since he was in pull-up's.

The journey to the school practice field reminded Yugi of death row. Every step seemed to bring him closer and closer to the moment of truth and when he'd be told his career as a baseball player was over. The doctor had already told him that it'd take at least two months of rest in order to properly heal his arm. The 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was scheduled for June this year. Yugi was one of the nation's highly profiled prospects, the youngest than most of the college students, but lately his skills haven't been advertised due to unfortunate incidents.

Yugi walked slowly down the little decline heading towards the boy's locker room and made a left to the coach's office. He spotted the tall, thickset man sitting at his desk, hand fisted under his chin while watching a recorded practice session from last year's game. The office door was open and the click of Yugi's shoes tore the older man's old green eyes away from the little television. Coach Davis grabbed his remote and turned off the television, eyes dipping to the floor after seeing the faraway look in his player's eyes.

Yugi recognized that look. Guilt. He was an old friend of it. "You wanted to see me, Coach?"

"Yes, come in," Coach Davis dully said, running a wrinkled hand through his curly gray hair. He looked drained, as if he'd been the one been listening to Yugi's chemistry teacher. "Close the door." He waved dismissively, still not meeting Yugi's eyes.

That wasn't a good sign. Yugi sighed, shutting the door and locking it for extra measure. He didn't see the point. If any of the team walked through the hall, they'd see Yugi and Coach Davis talking through the office window. The soundproof room wouldn't be able to disguise the remorse on the coach's face or the half-hooded sadness on Yugi's face.

Coach Davis finally built up enough bravery to look his star player in the face and thinly pressed his lips together, "This wasn't an easy decision, Muto. Had it been up to me, you know I would've tried to keep you on."

"I know," Yugi softly agreed. "It can't be helped."

Coach's hand found a pen to lightly tip tap on the desk, perhaps as a tool to dissolve the tense silence fluttering in his office. He looked off to a corner in his office, chipping with old paint that used to be a pristine white, turned cream. Cobwebs hung in tatters in the corners of the room.

"We can't risk you injuring yourself any further. Anything strenuous could put you in harm's way," Coach Davis felt the need to explain further, though his tone couldn't hold the sternness to support it. "Even if you don't play in the finals, you can still attend. The team will need your support more than anything. Think you can do that for us? Atlanta wouldn't the same without that cheesy smile."

Yugi chuckled dully, wishing he could suck in the Coach's attempt to make him laugh. He couldn't fake a smile if he tried. The blow of being benched, punched an imaginary hole in his gut.

"Yugi, son." Coach leaned forward on his desk, his old face set in a scowl. "You know if there were the slightest chance I could change things—"

"I know, Coach. It's not your fault. If I'd been more careful, you and the team wouldn't be in this predicament." Yugi gave a small shrug. "I'm old enough to accept the consequences of my actions. Though it sucks trying to be an adult about this situation," he chuckled, trying for a little humor.

Coach Davis's thin lips tugged on the sides. "This doesn't put you outta the competition completely, Muto. The draft's not for another few months. You'll have plenty of time by then to impress the recruiters."

That little bit did lighten Yugi's mood a little. Just a little. "So, when are we supposed to leave for Atlanta?"

"Not until four days before the finals." Coach settled back in his leather seat, interlacing his fingers over his protruding belly. "You think you'll still wanna go?"

"Of course!" Yugi perked up. "Even if I'm all banged up, what kind of captain would I be if I weren't there to support my teammates?"

Coach Davis winked, a small sigh of relief deflating his stomach. "That's being a good sport, Muto. Keep that kind of spirit, and the MLA's gonna demand you be placed on the best team."

Yugi smiled small. "Thanks Coach Davis." He stood, collecting his backpack. "Was there anything else?"

"Besides telling Taylor he's running twenty laps tomorrow for being MIA? Nope, go home and rest up. Be ready to attend next practice. Just because your arm's screwed doesn't excuse you from participation."

"Duh, Coach," Yugi said with a bigger smile. "You know I'm there. I'll see ya tomorrow!"

Coach Davis gave a flat wave and flicked his television back on to survey the practice from the previous seasons. Yugi closed the door behind himself, grinning from ear to ear. It was a wonder he could even crack a smile considering how he'd been terribly worried about not being able to partake in the game. He'd still get to go. That counted for something.

With a pep in his step, Yugi went out the opposite direction leading to the side of the school that opened to the school parking lot. Most of the students had already left the premises along with a few teachers. Yugi cradled his arm tenderly as he squeezed through a few cars before stepping onto the sidewalk. Once he reached the corner he hesitated.

Out of the corner of his eye, Yugi spied the City Garden's a few blocks down. He missed going near the park to visit the children. He hadn't seen a single one in weeks. He hated avoiding them but he feared running into Kisara, the poor thing. A part him wanted to check and see how she was doing, but he couldn't risk running into her father.

Yugi wasn't afraid of what the man might do, it was more like Yugi was nervous about how he'd react if he saw Atem. Yami, Yugi knew he wouldn't see again and he was glad of it. Neither of the bastards deserved a small glance from him.

Yugi was placed in an intense sense of déjà vu when a dark red car pulled up to the edge of the corner, humming softly. He was put on alert when the window came down and he saw Tristan's stoic face glaring at him with tough, brown eyes.

"Well?" he snapped impatiently, reaching over to open the passenger side door. "Get in already!"

Yugi snapped to attention and shuffled over. He tossed his book bag in the backseat and pulled on his seatbelt. The car nearly soared off the ground when Tristan pulled away from the curb. From how fast, reckless and aimless Tristan was driving, Yugi momentarily contemplated jumping out of the car in case his best friend was going to try a Grand Theft Auto. What were the chances of him surviving if he jumped out now while the car was going about sixty five in a forty five speed zone?

"You lied to me." The flat, steely statement startled Yugi and caused something to shrivel guiltily inside his chest. He secretly managed to keep from dropping his head and glancing out the window. It didn't matter anyway. Tristan preferred staring out at the bypassing scenery. "I asked you a million times. I warned you not to mess around with those guys, and look what it got you?"

It was safe to say Tristan wasn't angry, Yugi quietly deduced. Nope, he was downright pissed.

"Yeah," Yugi admitted, his voice hoarse. Clearing his throat, he tried again a little stronger. "I know. I'm sorry."

When they came to a stop light, Tristan did look at him this time. Yugi should've been able to meet those dark brown eyes head on, but it was different than facing someone you hated or a casual associate. Seeing those eyes meant facing the betrayal and shadowy disappointment, and he just wasn't ready for that. The guilt was already making itself at home in Yugi's head.

The light changed to green. Tristan faced the road, shaking his head and took off. He went pass Yugi's address several times, clearly indicating that the talk would be had or neither of them were going home any time soon. The ball was in Yugi's court this time. Where do I even begin? He thought grimly, mouth compressed in a hard line.

"I could apologize a thousand times, but it won't change how stupid I was," Yugi started off. "I messed up. You told me not to do it. And, I did it anyway. Why? I wish I knew. There were so many times I wish I could've taken it all back." Yugi shook his head. "No amount of wishin' is gonna replace the past. I went into this with a soft heart and an even softer head."

A rough snort came from the side. Well, at least Tristan was listening.

"I don't know why I got involved with them. With Yami, I." Yugi scowled. "I dunno. I felt like I connected with him that one time we spoke. And Atem, it was so strange. I thought I could talk to this guy forever. His daughter's an incredible child, so bright and smart . . . and it was all ruined over a misunderstanding." Yugi sighed, leaning back in his seat. "Did you know the two of them knew Heba when he was alive?"

A beat of silence passed before Tristan grunted, "No, I didn't. But how could I when you shut me out of everything?"

Yeah, Yugi deserved that blow. He shimmed up his seat and explained. "I don't know the full details. From what little they told me, they made him out to be the bad buy. Like Heba was the worst kind of person."

"That coming from some single dad and a psychotic thug?" Tristan bitterly bit off. "Ain't that the pot calling the kettle black?"

Oh, right. Tristan didn't know. "They're both thugs," Yugi confessed, knowing he'd best get it all out in the open. He took a deep breath and said it all in one swoosh, "Atem's the leader of the Blue Eye Aces."

"What the fuck?!"

Yugi sunk in his seat when the car' speed escalated five times above the speed limit and whipped around on two wheels, pulling in a gas station off the corner of the city. Tristan snapped his car in park and turned his entire torso to face Yugi with all his rage.

"Yugi fuckin' Muto, do you have any idea how lucky you are to be alive?" Tristan was so pissed he couldn't see straight. His fingers tightly grasped the air, wishing he could use them on Yugi's throat. "You were messin' around with the leaders of both gangs? Jesus!"

Yugi slinked back from the furious outburst, surprised and angry. "I didn't know Atem was the T.O.G. until that night, Tristan! Damn it, how many times am I gonna have to explain this to everyone? You're just as thick headed as they are!"

"You are the biggest hypocrite on the face of this planet!" Tristan raged back. "My head's thick? You have the mentality of a mule, twice as thick and just as strong. What will it take for you to understand, when we tell you not to do something, Yugi, it's for your own good?"

"I can take care of myself!"

"No, you can't!" Tristan yelled. "We aren't bullies trying to keep you from having fun. We're protecting you. In this kind of city, all we can do is watch each other's back. What will it take, Yugi, huh? For you to get killed? Is that when you wanna learn? When you have all of us crying over your fucking grave and Gramps left to defend himself?!"

Yugi saw the shift of something black swish behind Tristan's back and dipped by the car. It moved too fast to react, too fast to counter. Yugi nervously spun around towards the fiend, lifting his hand to lock the door but the window glass shattered, raining shards inside. A long arm looped around his neck and hooked him in place. Yugi shrieked, recoiling in agony as a switchblade pressed under his jaw.

"Don't move," the deep voiced villain said. "Make a sound and I spill his shit all over the ground."

Neither of the boys moved. Yugi, especially remained calm, wondering how many times he'd be on the wrong end of a gun before he finally met his end.

"Leave your wallets and the keys," the thief roughly ordered. "Hurry up!"

Yugi nodded timidly, reaching inside his pocket for his wallet. There wasn't a bill in there but he hoped the couple of debit cards inside would suffice. He gasped painfully when the blade inched a little too high, cutting into the meat of his neck.

In a split second while the gunman was taking Yugi's wallet, Tristan's hand vanished below his seat and came back with a solid black 9mm magnum. His thumb folded the hammer back. "Yeah, you know what this is," Tristan said cold and harsh when the thief caught a glimpse of the weapon in hand. "Let 'em go and back up slowly. Real slow." He emphasized with a wag of his gun.

"Cool, cool man. I got'cha." The thief calmly loosened his grip on Yugi's neck and stepped back. Tristan's barrel followed the man up to the point where he sprinted down the street, disappearing into the ally shadows.

Yugi grasped his neck. The cut was shallow. That was close and happened so fast. By the time Yugi could react it was too late. But more importantly, when had Tristan—Yugi blinked when he heard a dark shudder and gasp come from the driver's side. Tristan was hunched over with his gun his hand, shaking.

"Tristan," Yugi softly called.

"You see what I mean?" Tristan's voice shook like a bag of marbles. "This kind of shit is what happens! I can't believe I had to pull this out!"

"When . . . when did you get that?"

"The same night we got jumped at the Boom." Tristan roughly put the gun back under his seat, took his car out of park and ripped out of the parking lot. His entire body was shaking, reflexes sharpened so keen, he twitched at every flicking street light and random civilian.

The journey to Kame's Shop came to an end. Tristan pushed the gearshift into park and laid his forehead against the steering wheel. Sudden quakes traveled straight through his skin and to the bone. Yugi's palms became moist, his heart thumping a million miles an hour. The adrenaline rush was finally dying down and with reality setting in, Yugi joined in Tristan's contagious fears.

Yugi choked. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Those last apologetic words were stuffed against cotton and the curve of Tristan's neck and Yugi was glad. He could use his best friend's suffocating hug right now more than anything. Yugi didn't mind the creeping soreness on his arm. He slipped his stronger arm around Tristan's ribcage and hugged him back just as hard.

They stayed that way for a long time. The embrace never wavered, neither knew who should let go first but when they did and stared at each other, they held eye contact. Yugi turned a little red around the cheeks and dropped his brow on Tristan's mouth.

"This wouldn't be so awkward if you were gay," he said airily. Yugi's shoulders rose and fell. "Why can't I find someone like you? Life would be so much easier to deal with."

"Naw, you don't want a guy like me," Tristan rubbed small, comfortable circles on Yugi's back. "I'm the big brother type. You need somebody who's gonna protect ya when I can't." Tristan pulled away, cupping the top of Yugi's head. "Serious talk Yug', please, please, tell me what's going on next time, will ya? Hell, there shouldn't even be a next time. If it looks bad, don't do it. I'm only tryin' to do what's best for the both of us so when we graduate, me, you and the rest of us can blow this joint."

That was the best idea Yugi's heard all day. "I'm with ya, Trist'."

"Good," Tristan ruffled his friend's hair and reached behind for Yugi's book bag. "I'll see you tomorrow, OK?"

"Definitely, coach says you gotta run twenty laps anyway."

Tristan paled. "I might have to call in sick," he muttered, put off.

Yugi laughed, closing the door behind himself. Tristan didn't leave until he was sure Yugi was inside and locked in. Yugi didn't go up to his room until he was sure Tristan was gone down the dirt road. Yugi sighed contently, before pushing away from the door and heading off upstairs. "I'm home Grandpa!" He called.

"Dinner's in the microwave!" Grandpa shouted back. "How was school today?"

"Fine!" Yugi called back.

"Anything interesting happen?"

Yugi paused where he'd been tugging off his socks. His mood dimmed some, then brightened. It was time for a revolution. He refused to allow the bad moments in the past to triumphant over the good. He was going to get over it all and start new. "No, nothing at all."

"That's stupid! I don't think that's a good reason at all!"

Atem stopped pacing up and down the front of his daughter's bed after that outburst struck a nerve and looked at his child, sitting in the center of her mattress in her frilly pink and yellow pajamas, with a concentrated will and determination on her face. He'd never seen such impressions expressed by his daughter until today. She has been impossible to handle.

Sensible indeed. There was no way she'd obtained this sort of behavior from his side of the family. No, all of these outlandish emotions had to have come from her bitch of a mother.

"You better watch that tone, Kisara. Daddy's told you that I don't need to explain myself to a child, especially when I'm sure I'd know what's best!" Atem whirled around to face her and settled an equally harsh glare. "Do you understand?"

By now, this would've been the time Kisara would whimper and work her way up to her father, shyly asking what she could do to be on his good side again. She was rarely reprimanded and that was the problem. She was spoiled. Now, she held her chin high, eyes sharp and presented a powerfully, brazen stare.

"No, I don't," Kisara said, her tone edged with proper disobedience that was probably influenced from her classmates. "You don't know what's best because you can't tell me why I can't play with Yugi. I don't think that's fair, Daddy. If I say I don't wanna eat because I say so, you would be mad."

"Kisara," Atem's tone quietly darkened. "Who is the adult in this room? Who?"

"No one. Grandpoppy says when people can't make up their minds, they don't deserve to be bossy!"

Atem gritted his teeth. Trust his father to install mature lessons in a five year olds 's temper was steadily resting closer and closer off the edge. "Your grandfather isn't here to teach you. I am and what I say goes. Yugi's dangerous."

Kisara stared up at her father with bewildered wonder and disbelief in her bright eyes. Atem's grip on his elbows fastened tighter.

"You're dangerous too," said Kisara in an all knowing voice a five year old had no business possessing. "So are Cousin Marik and Cousin Seth. I hear you say naughty things all the time. So you're a bad man too!"

Atem bristled. "Shut your mouth, right now!"

"No!" Kisara slammed her fist on the bedspread. "I want Yugi! I want Yugi, now!"

"Kisara!" Atem slammed his fist down on the center of the bed. He hadn't known he'd done it until the mattress rebounded off his hand. He could count on one hand how many times he'd ever raised his voice at her. There were even lesser times when he'd responded violently in front of his daughter and would explain why. Kisara backed herself across the bed until she was cornered in the crook where the bed met the wall and angrily looked at her father with burning tears in her eyes, like he was some hideous creature that'd invaded her bedroom.

That outburst stole every ounce of fight in him. Atem slowly backed away from the bed, turned on his heel and said, "Yugi isn't allowed near you and that's my final word on it. We'll not have this discussion again and if you so much as whisper his name, you'll be punished." He left without another word, being mindful not to slam the door.

Atem stood in front of the door for a moment, running his open palms over his eyes. Kisara's whimpers stabbed through her door and right into his chest. He sighed and pushed away to go to his bedroom. He was so weary of all this, till it sickened him. Here, he tells his daughter not to go near Yugi again and for the life of him, can't come up with a plausible reason why. He's dangerous? Hardly. Atem knew the boy couldn't rip a piece of toilet paper let alone, harm another person. What was it really that steered Atem so close to wanting to rip the young man apart at the time?

Jealousy? Anger? Had it really been betrayal? These sort of questions had no business draining him the way they have. All the bullshit going down with the accounts being anonymously withdrawn and the sudden increase in gun trades on the streets, was stressful enough. It was so bizarre. When he'd gone to the Eastern border to infiltrate a warehouse, the whole block had been wiped clean. There wasn't a single scrap of ammo or weaponry in the entire building and Atem knew the job had to be done by someone with some pull; a high roller like himself. Otherwise, how else would they know about a military storage compartment?

Atem sliced the thought process in half. With all the drama going on, his head split between figuring out how he should observe Yugi and old, foolish, stupid, regretful emotions stirring up for Yami, Atem couldn't take much more. He needed rest. For once, he would welcome the chance to sleep.

Atem left the hall and walked inside his dark bedroom, needing no light to guide him to the king sized bed. He toed off his shoes, unbuttoned his shirt and slipped out of his black cargo pants. A moment was all he needed, he sighed inwardly, landing heavily on the bed. It felt so wonderful. How could he not enjoy a peaceful slumber? Atem adjusted his pillows, dropped his head and closed his eyes, sleep claiming him before he could breathe a final sigh.

It wasn't fair. Her father couldn't give a proper reason because there wasn't any. Kisara numbly gripped her teddy bear to her chest and huffily sat on the edge of the bed, rocking her feet. It'd been so many days since she seen Yugi. He'd probably found new friends now because she hadn't kept her promise of playing with him.

What was she supposed to do now? Yugi had been the first person to talk to her like she was a regular person. Every day after school, the kids would maintain a perfect radius away from her like she'd disease them with her discoloration and bright eyes. Kisara gently moved the sheets back so she could tuck her feet in and laid on her pillow, staring at the animated designs and characters on her wall. The room was mostly made of what she imagined a fun place would be with lots of friends. There were monsters, people, and lots of candy and plenty of swings. One particular drawing on the wall was a blond haired, blue eyed princess who could do magic. She had lots of friends. Kisara wouldn't mind having a similar life.

Kisara's mind wandered into one of those make believe fortresses where no one cared for difference and always occupied with happiness. How could anyone not want such a magical place? She slowly blinked and gave a big sigh. The left side of her face was imprinted with the crinkles from her sheets and pillows when she finally pushed up and hoped off the bed.

Her bedroom seemed too big to sleep alone. She'd go see if Daddy would let her sleep with him. Kisara touched the doorknob, suddenly stopping. No, she couldn't see him. She'd made him mad. Clutching her bear, Kisara back tracked from the door. She didn't want to be alone anymore. Kisara felt scared and small. She wanted Yugi. She wanted his big smile and the perfect way his eyes matched her favorite color.

Yes, that's who she wanted above all else. Kisara's smile returned with a renewed vigor and she grasped the doorknob, turning and pushing forward. She ducked back when a short snore came from down the hall. Kisara softly scurried down the hall, her socked feet a soft pitty pat on the carpet. Peeking in, she saw her father's long, lithe form covering half the bed.

"I'll be back, Daddy," she whispered, afraid of waking him. She was greeted with a snore before she quickly hurried down the hall, through the living room and unlocked the front door.

Now outside in the naked hall, Kisara had to remember how to work the elevator when she made it towards the end. Her daddy would press that button with the triangle, right? She couldn't reach it though. Frowning, Kisara pouted than brightened. "Teddy, you can get it." She held up her bear and pressed his paw to the center.

Bing!

The light chimed and the metal doors separated to an empty cart. Kisara walked in and glanced over at the illuminated mechanics. What number was it people pushed to get to the bottom? Kisara pushed the closest one to her height, one, and stepped back. The doors closed and there was a tummy-tickling sensation during the descent that took her straight down. The box took a million years to finally open to the bottom floor.

Kisara peeked out, twisting her neck from side to side. She didn't see anyone in the lobby. She didn't see the security man at the desk either. Daddy always said to talk to him when he wasn't around. But Kisara didn't know where to look for the man. Gulping, she timidly stepped sweeping the whole Victorian décor with mild interest. The black double doors towards the back were her main concern.

Cars swished by every so often. Kisara's feet tinkling as the thought of seeing Yugi began to creep in her internally. She couldn't wait to see him. Kisara retightened her grip on her bear and hurried out to the doors, waited until they opened and went through into the dark, humid air. She stared up and up and up. The sky was so enormous, and there wasn't a moon. Not that it mattered.

She could ask Yugi where the moon went when she found him. "Yugi!" Kisara shouted and started her search for her friend, down the sidewalk, calling his name . . .

Atem vaulted out of what he thought was a dream when he heard stomping. His first thought process was Kisara banging her fist on his nightstand to wake him up and he'd happily give her a proper spanking for it. Miserably tired, he dragged a hand over his face, smacking some of the tart flavor from his mouth. He looked over to the sound's origin.

A faint white glow hummed by his bedside. Atem lazily reached out his hand to grasp his cell and pressed the side to stop the vibrations. The name read D.O.G. Snorting, Atem slid his thumb over the screen and flopped on his back, scratching his chest. "Yeah?" he groggily answered.

There was a disbelieving pause. "Were you sleeping?"

Atem chuckled. "Yep, first time for everything." It was little disorientating to believe himself. The gang leader shifted to look at the digital clock flashing 11:47 p.m. Damn, he'd been out a whole four hours? Shit. What's up Seth?"

"The crew's leaving for the Billiard tonight. You feel up to a little pool?"

"Yeah," Atem grunted, surging up to sit upright, open his mouth for a jaw cracking yawn. "Who's down?" He asked getting off the bed. He retrieved his pants and slipped them on, fastening the button.

"Odion's already saved the usual table. I invited Shada, Marik and Yusei."

"What about Isis?"

"She figured you'd need a babysitter."

Atem nodded. Speaking of babies. He needed to check on his. Atem felt like kicking his own ass for having been asleep so long. He left his bedroom, after grabbing a gray t-shirt and slipped it on before knocking on his daughter's door. Funny, when his knuckles grazed it the door loosely fell open. He could've sworn he'd closed it.

Atem walked into the lit room, eyes picking off everything that didn't resemble his daughter. Atem heard himself sneering in the back of his mind. How many times he had told her to let him know if she had to go to the bathroom or if she was hungry? "Hold on, Seth." Atem clicked off the light and went to the closest bathroom.

He knocked. "Kisara!" No answer. He frowned. Whether she was angry or not, she usually answers. "Oh," he suddenly chuckled knowingly. She'd probably gone asleep on the toilet again. "Baby girl?" Atem called pushing the door open. The lights were off. What the hell? Atem flicked the switch up.

She wasn't in here.

"The fuck—Kisara!" Atem devoured the rest of the way down the hall in three long strides going to the kitchen. He'd caught her sneaking in here for cookies once. She'd been popped on the hand, but he wouldn't put it passed her to try again.

Atem turned on the lights, eyes eating up the whole area in one sweep. He checked the cabinets, the slams getting louder and harder when none of them produced his child. Atem snatched the pantry door open, eyes widening. She wasn't here either.

"Kisara!" he shouted, angrily, deep voice booming like a thunderclap. He didn't get a tiny answer back. "This isn't funny!"

"Atem, what's going on? What's wrong with Kisara?"

Atem's head twisted from side to side as he searched the living room. "Nothing, cousin," he answered, half his mind on looking and the other half listening. "Kisara's hiding from me."

"This late?" Seth said, stunned. "Why isn't she in bed?"

"She was when I left her. Damn it, Kisara stop playing around!" Atem swore when he found her he'd take a slipper to that behind of hers. He didn't like these games, especially when they took too long. The last place he didn't check was the balcony. Atem hurried to the sliding glass doors and pulled them apart, stepping out into the breezy humidity and the sounds of the street life below. Below the lounge chairs, behind the mini bar, around the curve of the railing and near the dipping decline by the edge, he still didn't see her.

Atem's throat clogged. "Kisara?" his voice lost all edge. "Baby girl, you win. Daddy's done. You can come out." He didn't give a damn if she was playing. He just wanted her to come out.

"Did you find her?" Seth called over the phone. "Answer me, cousin!"

Atem frantically went through the suite again, panic lightly threading through his chest. All the bedrooms were empty. The hallway closet was bare. The tub was clean. "Kisara!" Atem ran into the living room, pushing the couches from the walls, leaning down to flip them over and weaving around to find the smallest crevices he may have overlooked.

Hysteria shimmered in Atem's ears. 'She's not here, she's not here.' Those were the words that exploded in Atem ears like fireworks as he plopped down hard on the floor, fingers tangling in his hair. His breathing erratically rose and filled his chest. He didn't know why, it could've been faith, but for some reason, Atem's eyes fearfully glanced towards the front door.

It was jarred at least an inch from the frame. Atem forced his feet to take him there and grasped the doorknob. 'It's your fault. You left her alone. She could be anywhere.' Though he truly prayed she was only sitting outside, clutching her bear. He could deal with that. Atem wouldn't be upset. So long as she was safe, he'd scold her and make sure she was safe.

When he opened the door, he held his breath and stepped out. From end to end, he looked. No one, there was no one out here. 'It's your fault. You left her alone. She could be anywhere.' The words burst in his mind like fireworks, again, and again and again.

"Cousin! Atem!" Seth repeatedly shouted over the phone. "Where is Kisara?!"

Atem's back bumped the wall. His grip on the phone was limp. He couldn't find her. She was missing.

"Atem, where is she?"

In a hypnotic trance, Atem slid down the wall until he hit the floor, eyes distant and faded. She was gone. "I don't know. . ." he quietly confessed, the worst confession he could ever admit too.

Yugi jolted awake to an obsessive knocker, banging on the door. "Ouch, ouch, ouch," he hissed. He'd fallen asleep on his arm again. Why did he have to get shot in that arm?

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Yawning, Yugi sniffled, scratching his stomach before swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, eyes heavy. What time was it? He looked over and saw 1:14. Yugi frowned. As in the A.M.? Who the hell could be here this time of night?

"Yugi! Yugi, open the door!"

Yugi didn't how he managed to move so quickly to the window with the bed sheets wrapped around his hips like a toga, but he was scrambling to the window, face pressed flat on the cool surface. So many, many, many things happen, that he couldn't believe he'd done it while sleep.

First, he wasn't sure if it was the fatigue making him delusional, or if standing in front of Kame's Shop was the last person on earth he wanted to see.

Second, he had to keep from gnawing his bottom lip off because the longer he stared, the more he was certain that the mirage was actually Atem.

Third, when he pulled on a black hoodie and a pair of yellow plaid pajamas, he remembered to grab his baseball bat and left the room.

Fourth, because Yugi guaranteed there wouldn't be a repeat of what happened last time, it took him a long time to convince his grandfather to stay in his room.

Finally, when Yugi crossed the threshold leading to the front door that barricade him from Atem, he had to remember which swing would knock off the bastard's head if he tried anything stupid.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Yugi, please!"

That frantic tone, almost, almost made Yugi's anger slip off. He yanked the door open. Atem tried to push his way inside, but Yugi had his bat ready, and took a quick swing. Atem noticed it a second early and jumped back, stunned.

"Yugi—"

"Why the hell are you on my property?" Yugi took another swing with his arm, missing again. He closed the door and waved his bat in the air, stalking toward the gang leader. "Get outta here!"

"Yugi, I can't. I need your help!"

"Fuck you!" Yugi swung around like a mad man, wildly thrusting the bat in powerful curves that promised a broken bone.

Atem became frantic, dipping and leaping backwards. "Yugi, listen please, it's Kisara," his voice shook.

Yugi paused, bat mid swing, and eyes wide. "Kisara?"

Atem couldn't nod, couldn't see, and couldn't stand straight. It was like a rip current was navigating through his body. "She's gone, she's missing, I-I don't know where she went or how long she's been gone. Before I went to sleep, she was there, but when I woke up I couldn't find her. She's angry with me I know but, oh fuck, Yugi, I can't. I-I-I don't know where to look. I don't know what I'm gonna do. . ." Atem was a babbling wreck, repeating what he'd already said a thousand times over as if he'd forgotten Yugi was the audience.

Momentarily, all of Yugi's animosity toward the worried father was forgotten. His mind was occupied with Kisara. The little girl was missing? Now? In the middle of the night? This city was dangerous. Yugi's eyes followed the fidgety twitch of Atem's fingers, the clumsy balance in his stride and the way his eyes would jerk to a random place as if he'd just heard a child's voice.

Closing and opening his eyes, Yugi's grip on his bat slacked. He was so knee deep in his rage he couldn't think straight. For hours he'd praised himself on the desire to move on from what's happened. The tenderness in his arm still inflamed and how many times during the night had he cursed ever meeting Yami and Atem? Now one of them was here before him, on edge and damn near broken with anxiety.

Yugi felt as cold as the day he'd first open his eyes in the hospital.

"She could be anywhere, scared, or cold. I don't know if she's hungry, I fed her but what if she gets hungry again? How will she go to the bathroom, she's afraid of the dark, she can't sleep without her nightlight-"

"That sounds like a personal problem."

Atem's gaze blistered like an inferno. "What?" he sharply hissed.

Yugi shifted his weight to the other foot, weakly swaying his bat. "You heard me. That's your problem. I'm not gonna help you."

"Yugi," Atem's voice hitched an octave above monotone. "Do you hear yourself? That's my child out there lost in God knows where!"

"Your child, Atem, not mine!" Yugi growled. "You said it yourself, I'm a danger, aren't I?"

Atem's outraged gasp and grabbling hands, didn't faze Yugi a single bit. His mouth tasted bitter from the words leaving his tongue and his throat swallowed a ball of sand.

"Yugi, please, don't," Atem chuckled humorlessly, "don't do this. Whatever kind of animosity you got against me, don't take it out on my daughter. I need her," he shakily added after a dry swallow.

Yugi swirled on his heel, presenting his back. "I don't have any obligations to you or her. If something happens, it'll be on your conscious, not mine." He shrugged. "I'm going to bed. Get the fuck off my land before I call the cops or better yet," Yugi looked over his shoulder, eyes hooded and dark. "Maybe I'll just make a fuss so the red bloods can do the job for me."

Atem stared at the youth's back.

Yugi felt that gaze and wouldn't be weakened by it. The desperation burned and the righteousness he knew was buried inside, churned Yugi's stomach. His fist clenched.

"Yugi!"

There was a sudden thump on the ground. Yugi's hand was on the doorknob when he looked back. His mouth fell open. A short intake of breath, came from Yugi's lips. Then he lifted his chin and looked down upon the man who was groveling on his hands and knees, head bowed like a peasant begging for scraps from the emperor.

Yugi was quiet, a thickness pouring a suffocating bowl of pity in his chest. How the mighty have fallen indeed.

"She's my life, Yugi," said Atem, lips only a kiss away from the dirt. "I'm begging you. I'm begging. Please, help me find her. She calls for you every night. She searches for you every day after school. You can reach her in a way I can't, so please." Atem breathing quaked. "Please, please, please!"

Yugi still said nothing. He finally managed to overcome his own shock, and opened the door. "Get the fuck off my lawn," he quietly warned before walking inside and dead bolting the door. His back pressed against the hardwood surface, head thumping backwards as he stared at the ceiling.

This wasn't his problem. This wasn't his problem.

So why was he standing outside the Grove, alone, risking his life to knock on the door of the man who shot him?

This was stupid.

Walking out here in the middle of the damn night. How fucking reckless and he'd told himself a thousand times just hours ago that he was going to turn over a new leaf. Yugi gulped, fingers gripping angrily around the handle of his bat. Why was he submerging himself deep in someone else's problems? Yugi had every right to ignore Atem's pleas and live on peacefully.

But what kind of person would he be if he left an innocent child out wandering the streets? Yugi didn't have to guess about whether or not Kisara was asking for him. That much he knew was truth. She'd asked Yugi to be her friend the first and that priceless gift sparkled in her eyes like she'd been given a world of sweets.

"Damn." Yugi swore as soon as this was over he was definitely going to ignore them. "Hey!" Yugi knocked harder on the door. He didn't know if the man was even here. But it would help. All Yugi had to do was tell Yami what was going on, if he was even here, and from there it'd be up to the him whether he helped.

Yugi's knocked echoed throughout the entire block. It was a wonder no one woke up to come bash his in head. From what he remembered last time, the whole neighborhood was swarming with runners. Now there wasn't a single one—

The door was thrown open.

Yugi told his body not to panic and forced himself not to tremble under the lock-on gaze centered on his face. Recognition streamed on Yami's face like he'd been burned. Seeing him there, wearing nothing but some red sweatpants and a sleeveless white shirt, he looked even more ominous.

Yami pinched the bridge of his nose, a sigh escaping his lips. "Yugi—"

"Atem's daughter is missing," Yugi interrupted, voice low, struggling with the need to snap. "He can't find her. Can you help?"

Yami paled. Kisara was. . . . She's missing. . . "Damn."

If anyone is interested, I have another Mobiumshipping story that started today under the name Celestial Congo. It'll be finished roughly around the same time as Fragile.