A/N: Like I promised, the next chapter is up. Big number ten. Although, judging by how slow this story seems to be going, I wouldn't be surprised if we passed twenty.

Guest (Anonymous review): Ah, damn. Did I really do that? I'm so sorry! You see, I was trying to describe the type of clothing that store sold, not describing the people who shop there (if that makes any sense). I didn't mean to call anyone who wears black and/or leather an emo/goth, and I apologize immensely to anyone who felt offended. Sorry for sounding so rude and stereotypical, and I hope you all keep reading despite my obvious mistakes :x

As for adding Anzu in, I have decided she will in fact come in later (after Atemu arrives). And, taking in the request of Mana's Madness, I will try not to bash her too hard. I'll only make her very flirty (with a hint of annoyance), but she'll be really close friends with Yuugi and help with this evil plot I have in mind (-evil cackle-).

And now, on to Chapter 10, enjoy~

Yuugi amusingly watched as Yami fiddled with the TV remote. There had moments when the spirit had gotten so frustrated as he accidentally turned the channel instead of increasing the volume, Yuugi would have to yank away the remote and force Yami to take a break to keep his temper from possibly destroying the hotel room.

Now, though, Yami seemed to be getting the hang of it. He surfed the channels with a bored gaze, and it was easy enough it tell he was not as excited about the TV as he was when he first found out about it. Yuugi wondered briefly if that was how everyone reacted once they grew out of kid shows and into boring news stories and repeats.

They had recently eaten dinner, which was some frozen pizza Yuugi had picked up on their way out of the mall earlier that day. It was good enough, even though it was slightly burnt when Yami forgot to tell Yuugi - who was in bedroom, searching for something that would suit as an extra bed since the couch was too small and hard for anyone to sleep on - that the timer was going off. Instead, the spirit had been entranced with a commercial claiming to have the best cooking supplies there were on the market.

In Yami's defense, there were a lot of explosions.

The constant flipping of channels eventually made Yuugi's eyes hurt, so he stood and went to find more entertaining things to do. The movement caught Yami's fleeting attention, and the smaller soon heard footsteps following.

"I couldn't really find any futons or anything that you" - They both knew Yami wouldn't allow Yuugi to sleep on anything other than a bed, for reasons unknown to the smaller - "could sleep on tonight, so you could either try to sleep on that puny couch, or…" He left the question open ended as a sudden flush took on his face.

Yami gave a thoughtful hum, and Yuugi plopped down on the bed. It was decent size, and could easily fit two people. Tonight was suppose to drop down in temperatures, and the sheets worked well to keep the warmth inside.

Yuugi was just worried about the added warmth that came with sleeping next to a near stranger. However, he could argue that the two had some nice bonding while out and about, so Yami wouldn't really be considered a stranger, right? An acquaintance, perhaps, but it still seemed weird to Yuugi.

The contemplating thoughts gave him a small headache.

"I will sleep on the couch." Yami spoke suddenly, gathering up a small pillow and blanket from the corner of the bed. The statement made Yuugi frown.

"The couch is pretty hard and cold. Plus, it's too small for you." He cleared his throat to choke out the rest. "Besides, I...wouldn't really mind if we shared a bed." His gaze adverted to check out the corner, finding it very fascinating.

It was quiet for a brief moment before Yami spoke again. "...If you insist." Yuugi could hear the smirk in his voice, and it made his face turn darker. He tilted it lower to find his shoes.

"...I do."

It was an hour later, and Yuugi was gently holding the Sennen Box, which contained the object of Yami's true affections, the Sennen Puzzle. He had asked the spirit why he was guarding the Puzzle, but all he had gotten in return was a nonchalant shrug. There were unrecognizable emotions Yuugi had caught in his gaze, but, like most of the subjects surrounding Yami's past, he let it drop, not knowing when it would get picked back up again.

"So," Yuugi murmured to Yami, who was sitting crossed legged on the bed. "I have to complete the Sennen Puzzle for a reason you don't know, or won't tell me." It was said more as a hidden question than a statement, but Yami just nodded in response.

Sighing, Yuugi chose to just get started. He lifted the lid and looked down at the golden pieces. He knew it would take him a while to finish, since the last three dimensional puzzle he had put together was done in around a week, and he could tell this one had more pieces.

He set them out around the table he sat at, trying to figure out just by looking at them what the shape would turn out to be. After every piece was out, he still didn't have the faintest clue. He turned to Yami.

"Do you know what it's suppose to be? Like, a cube, or something?"

Yami blinked slowly, his eyes losing focus to what Yuugi assumed were memories. He eventually shook his head no. "I was not allowed to see it. Only the royal family could lay eyes on it." There was something in his tone that made Yuugi twitch. He ignored it.

"Alright, I guess I'll just try to figure it out on my own, right?" As he was murmuring, Yuugi's hands drifted to the first two pieces, fumbling with them as he tried to figure out how they connected. He could feel Yami's forlorn gaze watching from his right.

It was around five minutes later when they heard a faint click. Yuugi made a small triumphant noise and went to fiddling around with two more pieces. He let his mind wander.

Strangely enough, the first thought that popped into his mind was he nightmare from last night. It had been terrifying, and felt so real. He still felt the scalding breath on his neck, hear the thundering footsteps as something - someone followed closely behind. He recalled the shadows curl around him. He remembered the path disappearing below him. He rewatched the bloody eyes snap open and listened to the voice gasp those eerie words…

"The shadows will consume your soul, mortal."

"Yuugi."

The voice, which had woken him up from that nightmare, now snapped him from his recollection. Amethyst eyes blinked past the haze and flickered to Yami's tense form. He looked worried, but Yuugi didn't know why.

"You've been working on that for that past hour." A quick glance at the clock confirmed Yami's claim. "It's getting late. I believe it is time for bed."

Awkward. That was the only way to describe the night. Yami lay facing the door, while Yuugi was on his side, watching the window's night show. He'd blush whenever one of their limbs accidentally brushed against the other's, and they quickly retreated back to their side of the bed.

It was quiet, save for the soft breathing of both men. Yuugi knew that Yami was still awake, if his constant shifting and too-hard-to-be-sleeping breath was any indication. There was the occasional creak of the hotel as it settled itself down for the night. The only speck of light was the muted shining of the moon through misty clouds.

To be perfectly honest, Yuugi was afraid of falling asleep. The nightmare was still in the back of his mind, and he feared to face another like it.

Although, it did have its perks...Like having a sexy spirit hold you close to ward off any lingering sensations.

A stray foot gently brushed against Yuugi's calf, but he found himself not wanting to move. The other's skin was cool and refreshing. It calmed Yuugi, and he was grateful when it didn't back away like previous times.

It felt like forever, but Yuugi's eyes were slowing drooping. Unconsciously, he shifted his leg so it was flush to the other's foot, reaping the award of a slowly dropping temperature.

Something flickered on the edge of his gaze, but he found himself to be too tired to care. It was curling on the floor, playing teasingly with the moonlight already there. It was eerie and sent a small shiver up his spine, but he didn't mind.

Besides, Yami was here, and Yuugi was almost positive that if anything happened, the spirit would be there to protect him.

He felt cool and protected, and the feeling stayed even when the visions of curling shadows and bloody eyes swimming on the back of his eyelids became the only thing he saw.

Done and done.

Next chapter will be up Friday evening, for those who need reminding. I know it's a bit late, but school is really demanding attention, so think of it as a end of the week present.

R&R~