Hey everyone,
I gave the story another check on my account page and the last time I updated was December 24th last year! I just cannot believe that this story had that long a hiatus and what's even worse is that several other stories such as Keyblade's Light have a similar status. They will all be updated at the end of this month, I assure you.
Also, unless I am mistaken have I been switching between the names Yami and Imay several times now, especially when writing in Yugi's POV and I made a decision. While I will write about Yami as Imay in the POV's of pretty much everyone else – including Imay – will Yugi refer to Imay as Yami as that just proves the Light's love.
Enjoy the chapter,

Venquine1990


Chapter 11
Heading For School

Yugi's POV

Morning has come. My eyes blearily open and my mind starts working ever so slowly as the events of last night – and pretty much most of yesterday – feel like some kind of dream, one of the many that I have had over the last three months and that always made me wake up feeling terrible about myself, but not this time.
Not this time, because I turn to my side and see the empty bunk. Not this time because that makes my eyes widen. Not this time because it makes me turn to my bedside table, where the actual Millennium Puzzle is lying peacefully, the magic of it reaching out to me as if Yami wants to get in contact with me while inside it.
Not this time because there are several bits of evidence strewn across the room that prove that Yami has really returned and that the events of yesterday afternoon and night weren't just some elaborate dream and while tears now glitter in my eyes, do I reach one hand out to the Puzzle and touch the Eye of Ugash as I ask:

"Yami, are you there?" But instead of hearing the voice come from within or feeling the magic of the Puzzle draw me inside, do I feel a warm and strong arm wrap itself around my waist from behind me as a warm breath tickles my ear and a suave voice coolly answers: "No Aibou. I'm behind you. And good morning, my Akhu."
And this makes me turn around, the curtains behind Yami and me opened just enough for the sun to create a halo of light and the shadows caused by his dark star-shaped hair to shine around him and while this sight of pure powerful darkness warms me from the inside, do I happily pull Yami closer and softly kiss his lips.
Yami instantly responds to this, his lips curling up in a loving smile as I kiss him and pulling us so that I am lying on top of him while my hands get tangled in his hair and his own hands roam over the fleece clad skin of my back, before suddenly an elder voice shocks me as it asks: "Yugi, why are you still in bed?"

Making me look up and see my grandpa look at me in clear shock, to which I ask: "What do you mean, gramps?" The man looks even more shocked and he says: "It's twenty minutes past eight. Why are you still in bed when you have school in forty minutes?" And while shock goes through me at hearing this, do I groan and say:
"The events with Bakura made me forget to set my alarm! I can't believe this!" The man sighs and says: "Perfectly understandable. I'll just quickly make you some breakfast and lunch on the go. You go and get dressed – and hurry, please!" Before the man walks out of the doorframe and down the stairs to the kitchen.
I in the mean time sigh again as I say: "I haven't forgotten to set my alarm in over 7 years. Yesterday's events really shocked me more than I imagined." Then I glare at Yami and say: "Then again, I usually set my alarm after gathering my thoughts together before dinner and being in your arms distracted me from that yesterday, remember?"
But Yami just smirks at me and asks: "And you regret that?" To which I groan and say: "Seeing it might cost me the chance for a new record, yes. I do regret forgetting that, thank you very much." And while Yami seems unsettled with this, do I pull myself out of his arms and over to my own wardrobe, pulling out a new uniform to wear.

"Why do you go to school anyway, Aibou? Is it because of those records you mentioned?" Yami then asks me, astounding me as he never asked this before if I did homework or went to school, but then I remember how he usually just tried using that time to find more answers in the hidden pathways of his soul room and sigh.
Thinking on my feet as I pull off my fleece outfit, not really feeling embarrassed with being half naked as Yami and I have been sharing my body for four years now, do I ask: "Yami, you know how hard my grandpa works to keep the store open and running, right? How hard he and I work to make the Game Shop be successful?"
My Dark nods and I say: "We're able to do that because he went and I still go to school. Going there allowed him and still allows me to learn what needs to be done to properly run a store like that. And if I want to become qualified to officially work for the Game Shop, do I need my graduation and for that I need to be at school.
A little like Atem needed his tutors to know how to be a proper Ruler, you get me?" At this Yami hums and asks: "So how much time do you plan to put into this school? More than in the chance we now have together?" And while this crazy question makes me stop before I laugh, do I still shake my head and say:

"Of course not, Yami, but I don't plan when to and when not to go to school. School really is like a huge company and because I don't own the company – and no, Kaiba doesn't either – is it not up to me to decide when I do and when I do not go there. I just get a schedule at first semester and I have to keep to that all year.
So far the teachers always accepted my trips and more often than not they were either verified by companies like KaibaCorp or I represented the Game Shop and through that got permission, but I am still trying to set my own personal record of being present and on time for as long as possible, which has been longer than ever since Egypt."
And while the both of us shudder at the memory of having to battle each other and the start of our separation, does Yami still seem intrigued while lying sideways on my bed, part of me wondering how he got there while he had fallen asleep in his own bunk yesterday night, before he asks: "So what's on today's semester schedule?"

And because the last three months have allowed me to keep the same schedule and memorize it, do I calmly put all of my required books and the pieces of homework that I finished a few days ago in my book bag as I say: "I have Chemistry, History, English, Physics and Mathematics. I have lunch breaks at ten and twelve and get off at two."
"At two? You're at school for so many hours?" Yami asks, his shocked voice startling me as I put some new pens and pencils into a small compartment of my bag and when I look at how shocked he looks, can I not help but mutter: "Wow, you really spend a lot of time in that puzzle when I was at school, didn't you?"
Making Yami shake his head before I say: "Yami, you were always searching for new clues in your soul room whenever I was in school. Did you really never once realize how long you were in there?" To this Yami reminds me of something as he says: "No, because usually you called me out to be with you when on break, remember?"
Which makes me turn a little red as I usually did indeed do that, my friends and I often finding a little secluded spot when they wanted a chance to speak with the Pharaoh, mostly when we were done with History classes and wanted to see if what we had learned could perhaps stir up some memories within the Ancient Spirit.

"You really never noticed the time – never mind, forget I asked." I then interrupt myself, feeling stupid for thinking that a spirit that believed himself five thousand years old would really notice whether one or four hours have passed and then Yami lies himself back with his arms behind his head as he asks:
"So while you're in school, what should I do? I can't duel, because everyone knows that's you. I can't exactly work because you and I look too much alike and it will look as if you are skipping school which will damage that record of yours. Damned, can I do anything other than staying here waiting for you to return?"
The spirit turned human asks in agitation and while I sling my backpack over my shoulder, do I shrug, walk over to put the Millennium puzzle around my neck, but when I look at it, do my eyes widen with an idea and I smile before I say: "You can always search for more of my special memories?" Making Yami smile back at me lovingly.

Ryou's POV

Last night when I went to sleep, I was on the couch in Yugi's living room, Bakura having pulled his chair closer to my own position and his hand so soft, warm and caring as it went through my hair that it felt as if I was five years old and being cared for by Yugi's mother again, which made it really easy for me to fall asleep.
However, now that I am awake, do I feel shocked and slightly worried as Bakura is actually lying beside me, the ancient spirit having one arm loosely lying around my waist and the other on top of my head as he has somehow managed to move us so that we are both comfortably lying on the couch and I am slightly atop of him.

Wondering how this could have happened, especially because Bakura seemed to have constantly been trying to keep his distance while at the same time wanting to be – as he called it – a good Yami and while his distance had been helpful in me getting used to his new solid presence, does his new position near me stir up some strange feelings.
Instead of feeling fear, terror or even distrust, does the soft hold the man have on me feel as warm and comforting as the way he caressed my hair last night and while I wonder how the spirit will react when he realizes that he broke his promise of keeping his distance, does it feel really good to actually be this close in his presence.
Not a single bit of the darkness that so long suppressed and hunted me can now be sensed coming off of him, but I can still feel a soft sense of power that seems to be humming underneath his skin and seems to be coming off of him in waves of strength and – dare I say it – a hint of protectiveness that seems meant for my safety.

Never once did I imagine that the spirit could have actually changed the aura that he showed off, yet part of me feels like I should have expected it now that he has turned human. Then, while keeping my confused glance on his sleeping face, do I see grandpa coming down the staircase that is visible from over the backrest of the couch.
"Good morning, Ryou. Did you and – where's Bakura?" The man then asks, the fear that instantly sounds through his voice slightly hurting me as the man must still remember all the trips to the Shadow Realm that he made thanks to my Darker Half and then said Darker Half responds: "Not where he intended to be."
Making me look a little shocked and making Solomon pull himself to glance over the backrest of the couch, while Bakura shakes his head a little and whispers: "Forgive me, my Light, but it seems my Yami tendencies got a hold of my sleeping form last night. You need rest and comfort, not a clingy Yami that doesn't keep promises."

Yet his words make me smile softly and I decide to give in to how part of me feels, which makes me lie my head back on his chest and I say: "Responding to instincts isn't the same as breaking promises, Bakura. And you said it yourself, the bond we are growing helps me heal. So as long as – well –." Yet here I hesitate.
Hesitate, because I am still unsure of how far I can push this being before he reverts back to his earlier state. Hesitate, because Solomon is in the room and I know he fears an angry Bakura. Hesitate because I never want to cause more problems for those that treat me like my parents should than necessary, which right now isn't easy.
"As long as you get to set the pace, I can be as near to you as my instincts want me to be, Hikari?" Bakura then asks, the slightly happy tone in his voice shocking me and making me nod as I look at him, making him actually hug me before he says: "Good, because I still plan on being a thief when it comes to your heart, Little One."
And while I still wonder how he thought of giving me a pet name like that, do I blush bright red at the confession of the spirit still having his thieving tendencies before Solomon says: "As long as you keep the darker side of your thieving spirit away from Yugi, I don't care. I need to make a quick lunch and I'm sure you'll love some breakfast."

This makes me smile at the older man, before his words register with me and make me ask: "Wait, I thought Yugi always made his own lunch for school. What happened?" But Solomon giggles and says: "Yugi didn't get the chance to set his alarm yesterday, Imay distracted him while he was trying to settle his emotions of the past day."
This makes me cringe as Yugi has always been trying his utmost hardest to be present at school whenever he wasn't expected to help Imay with his goals to save the world and protect humanity and a few minutes later does a very happy and content Yugi come on down in his usual dark blue uniform with white trims.
The Millennium Puzzle is clearly visible hanging around his neck and a single hand is softly rubbing the top of it as Yugi walks over, uses his other hand to greet us good morning and then moves over to where Solomon sets him a small plate of breakfast while the old man moves another two plates and a small side table our way.

Bakura then helps me sit up and while I smile at how gently the ancient spirit touches my shoulder as he pulls me into a seated position, do I then put two pillows on my and his lap and put the plates on top before happily digging into the toast and peanut butter-jelly sandwiches while Bakura helps me keep my glass of milk stable.
The Egyptian himself seems a little wary of the strange foods before him and I say: "I know you only barely ate anything while in control of my body, but surely you remember some of the things we ate, right? These are common worldwide meals and pretty delicious too, thanks to Mr. Moto." Which makes the elder man smile at me.
The spirit also seems to take some form of assurance of his old memories of when we were two spirits in the same body and while Yugi takes the last of his milk and packs an extra sandwich, telling Solomon it'll be for Yami if he decides to show up from inside the puzzle, does he then wave us goodbye and rush out of the house.

Hoping that he can still make it on time as he usually would have been gone about five minutes ago, meeting Joey and Téa and walking to school with the two of them – Serenity having started to hook up as of last year after the whole Kaibaland adventure – but then my attention is drawn back to the staircase and Solomon.
The man walks down with a shirt and pair of pants and says: "You and Yugi have almost the same size, so I don't see why you can't wear some of his usual wear until it's safe for you to head home and get some of your own stuff." But to this do we both hear someone scrapping his throat and do we turn to Bakura who asks:
"Since when is a former King of Thieves invisible to the human eye?" The smirk on his face making Solomon and me share a glance before I shrug and say: "It wouldn't really be stealing now, would it? I mean, they are my stuff and he just brings them here, right?" And before Solomon can even nod, has Bakura vanished out the door, laughing.
This makes me and Solomon share another glance and Solomon asks: "Was that really our best idea?" And while I know that his hesitancy comes from his fear for my Yami due to his previous actions, can I not help but remember yesterday's events and ask: "DO you know someone better?" To which the man sighs and shakes his head.

Marik's POV

The ability to move once again feels great, even if moving has become a little strenuous thanks to my muscles having been tensed up and very tightly bound together for the last three months, yet my new Yami, Malik, seems willing to take full benefit out of this as he constantly tries to either hug me or carry me if I feel my legs failing me.
The fact that this powerful spirit has enough muscle power to lift me up as if I were but a feather not only proves to my sister that my three month stay in the museum room has definitely had its effects on my strength, but also makes me feel a little self-conscious were it not for the fact that he sometimes carries me on his back.
Had the man constantly carried me in his arms bridal style, I really would have felt embarrassed, yet the way that the spirit turned human constantly smiles at me and actually purrs sweet little words of adoration in his mind – apparently not remembering that we have a mental bond – makes me feel warmer than ever before.

These words also make it easier for me to accept that this once volatile spirit is now my Yami and the fact that I can accept this seems to be the only reason that Odion hasn't already skinned the other elder teen alive, the fact that Ishizu is now in control of the Millennium Rod being the sole reason she's seem to have accepted him as well.
The whole day yesterday Malik has kept close to me, caring for me and helping me get control back over my own body and by now, while feeling weak when I walk down or up some stairs, do I feel ready to head back to school and be with my friends once again – and prove them that my Yami didn't kill me or something.
I of course know that my friends are highly worried about me, mostly because after everything that happened even Ryou admitted that my Dark Spirit had been crazier than his and while Ishizu now seems to wait until the nastier side of my Yami will show itself, have I probed inside Malik's mind enough to know the truth.

Yes, there are several thoughts that sometimes flash through the darker Yami's mind that make me want to shudder and show him looks of disgust, yet the Yami seems aware enough of how the world currently views him to know that he needs to earn all of our trust first – and cause havoc later, which will probably break that earned trust.
Part of me hopes that I will be able to distract my Yami enough with our new bond and possible relationship, but the fact that some of those thoughts are actually originating from the man's protectiveness of me makes me know that there is a very slim chance and that there will always be two sides to the Yami.
A loving Yami side that seems to grow stronger with every passing hour. And a dark crazy psychopathic side that, while no longer desiring to bring death and destruction to the world, still desires to cause havoc and make people feel like they're going crazy. This second side worries me, but Yami seems willing to control it.

However, it seems as if the more he controls his crazy side, the more he gives into his loving side as, while he had been staying on a couch in the room opposite my own last night, he seems to have either sleep-walked or transported himself to my room while asleep as I now have him firmly wrapped around my form as I wake.
The feeling of being embraced by someone big and strong had made me wonder if Odion had become wary of my Yami, yet when I had squinted through my eyelids as I had felt the steady breathing indicating that whoever held me was still asleep, did my eyes widen at the sight of wild, mangled blonde hair and a tanned skin.
Knowing that Odion is still bald bar the single ponytail that grows off the side of his head made me instantly know that it's not my adopted brother, yet the way I was being held had calmed my shocked nerves and I had tentatively looked up, the calm happy smile that was on my Yami's face calming the last of my nerves.

I had moved a single hand from where it had been lying between our two faces and had moved it to his shoulder, gently shaking it as I had no idea how the spirit would respond to waking next to the person who had been his soul's host only a few years ago. Yet, when Malik woke, did he just feel startled before smiling at me.
"Sleep well, little Hikari-Pretty? Feel ready for another day?" He had asked me and while I had noticed how Ishizu had actually noticed the two of us together in bed and how she had been standing in the doorway with her eyes wide in shock, had the warm tones of the former psychopath made me smile and say:
"I did and I do feel ready. Ready to head back to school and see my friends again." And while I hadn't said it, was I able to read in his eyes that he too understood how I wanted to prove to Yugi and the others that Malik had indeed changed and that he was no longer a threat to me. All of this happened half an hour ago now.

By now, I am on one of the corners to school, waiting for Joey, Téa and Yugi and while Malik is on top of the stone garden wall I am leaning against – how he got up there I really don't get – does the Spirit look around, his eyes wide and curious as he seems to have forgotten everything he and I grew up with while in Domino City.
The cars and other vehicles that drive by, the way that some business men are talking on their cell-phones as they pass us and the many different kinds of birds and dogs that fly over and walk past us seem to intrigue and amaze the spirit as his eyes are following it all and trying to take everything in at the same time.
Wondering if he won't have a headache by the end of this all, do I take a look at my watch, feeling a little concerned for my friends as they seem to be a good ten minutes late, but then the jovial voice of my friend Joey sounds from the left of me, making me look at the blonde as he, Yugi and Téa all happily approach me.

The blonde is the first to reach me and asks: "Where's - well ehm –." And while Joey seems hesitant to say Malik's name – probably because there was never really any difference between us – do I smile and say: "Malik's up there and don't ask how, I don't know." Before motioning for my Yami, who happily waves at the trio.
He then jumps down, to the wide eyes of my three friends and while he lands as if floating on air, does he say: "Being cleansed in the Shadow Realm is nice, you know, but that they took all of my knowledge of the 21st century makes being here even more fun. All those strange vehicles that are moving around and whatnot."
And while the elder spirit sounds as happy and childish as a five year old, do my friends look at him a little weirded out and worriedly before Joey whispers: "Are we sure he's all there, Marik?" But I shrug and say: "The Gods just took a little more from him than his evil I want to conquer the world tendencies, nothing bad."

The blonde nods and then I ask: "So Yugi, you saw my Yami but where is yours?" And then I see the Millennium Puzzle and ask: "In there, I guess?" Yugi nods and while we all start walking – Malik moving to walk on one side of me while Joey is on the other, does Yugi say: "Imay knows he can't do much, so he stays in here.
As everyone knows that I'm the real King of Games and because he's not registered as a student is doing either of them a little impossible and he can't stay out in the store either as that will make it look as if I'm skipping school. So he decided to take a little peak at something I build him the night before the duel and – well, yeah."
I nod at Yugi, understanding how seeing him and Imay on two different places could get the younger one in trouble and then Malik asks: "Does the same count for me, Marik? Will I get you in trouble if I show up somewhere else while you're in this school thing?" And while Joey sends him a weird look, do I nod and he says:
"Well, good." Making all of us look at him before he gives me a warm side hug and says: "Cause I don't want to be somewhere else. I want to be with you, Hikari-Pretty and I really don't want to get you in any trouble as that will mean more time away from me, right?" And while the others are really weirded out now, do I nod again.

Then, just when we turn the last corner to the school and pass the large garden walls that surround the school's playground and building, does Yugi's Puzzle light up and does the spirit of the Puzzle's guardian appear besides him, fully human and dressed just like he was when we were all getting ready for the Ceremonial Duel.
The others seem shocked at seeing him so suddenly and Yugi asks: "Did something happen, Yami?" But the loving smile on the boy's face as he easily falls into step with us instantly eases the nerves of his Hikari before he says: "No Yugi, nothing happened. I just saw a really good memory and it made me want to be with you, is all."
This makes Yugi smile at him and Joey asks: "Memory?" And Yugi answers: "When Imay was working on his deck for the Duel, did I decide that I wanted to leave him something to remember me by, so I made a special room inside my Soulroom and filled it with memories of our adventures, some of them showing my love for him."

This makes the others smile at the two of them and Joey asks: "So what memory was it?" And Imay answers: "The one of our conversation before we met with Strings, one – well –." The spirit then ends and Malik nods before he says: "The man that helped you gain one of your three Egyptian God Cards, I remember him."
Making Joey send him a weirded look before he asks: "So you do remember your old followers, but not what a car is? Those gods messed with your head, man." And while part of me thinks: "You have no idea." Does Malik not really seem to care and say: "I like it. It makes the world look new and makes for a new chance to explore."
And with that do we pass the school gates, Imay and Malik looking shocked at the three story building that reaches to both sides with at least thirty windows on both the left and right side of the large front door, while there is a huge white clock visible over the front door and there are several students already gathered there.

"How can one building be so – big?" Malik asks shocked and Yugi answers: "Schools have to be big, Malik, most of them house a good two to four hundred students, some even more. All those students are divided in different groups, but all groups have the same classes at different times, so the teachers need multiple rooms to teach in."
The two Yami's look at each other shocked to hear this and then Yugi asks: "So how did things go with Kaiba, Joey?" And while Téa and I look intrigued as Yugi had informed us both about how he, Imay and Joey helped the CEO realize that he was heavily overworking himself, does the blonde shrug and calmly say:
"Nothing really happened, Yuug. The doctors took care of most of things, Mokuba send me home as soon as Roland arrived and told me to just pack up whatever I thought necessary. It got picked up this morning and Mokuba's meeting with me to take me to Kaiba's mansion as soon as classes finish. I'll be staying there from then on."

"Until Kaiba's better." Tristan then asks, having come to join us as we crossed the grounds of the school and Joey nods before the lot of us reach the front doors and Yugi whispers: "Yami, would it be too much to ask for you to turn spirit. It might be better to bring news of your return to them gently and not by a sudden appearance."
The Spirit nods at his Hikari and I want to ask the same of mine, but my eyes widen as Malik has already turned transparent, his eyes shining brightly and his smile one of personal pride as he looks at me, floating just an inch above the ground as he moves alongside me and then Joey asks: "Where did Malik go?"
But I quickly calm the blonde and say: "He just turned transparent, Joey. He heard Yugi's request to Imay and realized I would ask him the same before I could even do it." The blonde nods and we all head for our lockers, Joey and Tristan having most trouble getting their stuff and closing the lockers just a minute before the bell rings.


And the end!
I really wanted to add some stuff to this – preferably some humoristic POV's of the two Yami's who have come along to school, but just writing about how the Hikari's respond to their first real day of being back with their Yami's took more effort and pages than I expected, so I decided to cut that part short and add to next chapter.
Hope you enjoy,

Venquine1990