A/N: Just wanted to mention that Yami and Atem are the same person, I'm just using their names interchangeably, just in case that brought forth any confusion. Thanks for reading and please comment :D

"Yug! Hey bud! Wait up a second!" Joey chased after his friend in attempt for consolation. Yugi was jolting down the halls in frustration, not even bothering to stop until he was able to find an empty room where no one else could bother him.

Joey took in a few deep breaths once he saw his friend turn into a class room, slowing down and following him in.

"Yug, what's going on pal?" He sighed, a sympathetic expression on his face. The King of Games cupped his head in his hands, a few sniffles breaking through. Joey pulled a chair out and sat beside him. "C'mon Yug, you can talk to me," he assured.

After a few moments of hesitation, the short teen raised his head to meet his friend's gaze. Yugi's eyes were swollen with tears and a terrified look on his face. Joey was taken back by his solemn expression, making him worry more than he already was.

"Yugi?" He gasped.

"I can't have people thinking I'm messed up, Joey," he pouted with fright. He wiped away a few stray tears with the back of his hand. "I've been having nightmares that my closest friends are going to turn against me," he wept unsteadily. "I'd be devastated if they came true."

Joey subconsciously nodded his head in denial at the very words.

"There is no way in hell I'm leavin' your side, Yug. I'm yer best bud! I would never turn on you."

"But Tea…and Tristan…and…I don't even know what I did wrong, Joey! I…I don't know. I can't remember things. I…"

"Yug," the blond extended his arm to his pal's shoulder for comfort, staring him deeply in the eyes. "You've been through a lot. It's been a tough few years if I do say so myself. You…you lost someone really close to you. I don't mean to rub it in yer face or anything of the sorts, but I'm saying it to remind you that you have it harder than the rest of us. Of course you're gunna struggle and have some nightmares along the way. I'm not leavin yer side because of that. No one should. Matter a fact, I'll be here even more than before, if that's what you want. You've done so much for me, I wanna start repayin da favors."

Yugi's eyes grew wide, tearing up more so at the words of his best friend. He jumped into his arm for a welcoming hug, holding him tighter to assure himself that people like Joey were real. They weren't going to disappear on him.

After a minute he pulled back and gazed into Joey's eyes.

"But what about Tea? What about the accusations she made about me? Do you believe them?"

A questioning look dove onto the teen's face, which caused Joey to raise his eyebrows in surprise.

Joey didn't really believe in what Tea told him. However, it was a story that was difficult to ignore. How could Yugi do such horrible things to her, and treat him like a true friend? Something about it wasn't right, but Tea had also mentioned that she was feeling strange herself.

"I believe in what you tell me. I have no reason to believe you were different unless I saw it with my own eyes."

Yugi grinned cheekily.

"Thank you, Joey."

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"Tell me what you know, Ryou," Tristan ordered while closing the door of an empty room behind him.

Ryou forced a smile and cleared his throat, taking a seat at an empty desk and waiting until Tristan did so as well before speaking.

"I know a lot of things, it would be much more beneficial if you asked me what you want to know."

"Okay," Tristan hummed. "What the hell just happened with Yugi?"

"I highly doubt you saw Yugi back there. That wasn't your friend."

Tristan groaned in annoyance.

"Then who was it?"

Ryou shrugged dully.

"I'm not sure who, but I can tell you what."

"Humor me."

"There was a darkness hovering around his body. It wasn't in full control, but it can tamper with his actions here and there as it pleases. Yugi is unaware of it."

"How do you know that?"

"Simple. I was possessed by the spirit of the millennium ring for a long time. He was of the shadows…a darkness, if you will. Shadows tamper with your actions, your emotions…pretty much anything they can snack off of. When the moment is right, they can full on take over the host body. Once that happens, it becomes utterly obvious the host soul is locked away. What you saw back there was simply a tamper of emotion and action. It was enough for you to notice, but not enough for Joey to see."

Tristan narrowed his eyes in attempt to understand.

"So that's what Tea has been seeing?"

"That depends," Ryou perked his lips. "What has Tea been seeing?"

"She called Joey and me last night, saying that Yugi had cussed her out over the phone. Then the next day, she claimed she saw some sort of demonic Yugi threaten her in the hall when they were alone. Neither Joey or I saw him like that, but it scared Tea to death."

"Tea is an honest girl," Ryou nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case."

"That's what I'm saying. I know she can be over the top at times, but she loves Yugi, she'd never accuse him of this unless it was the truth. I could hear the fear in her voice, I can't see how someone would lie about that."

"Well there you go, then."

"But…she also said that she was feeling weird herself. As if it was possible for her to be seeing things that no one else could."

Ryou cocked his head in confusion.

"That's a possibility as well. However, there is no reason for the shadows to have a deal to seal with Tea."

"Well, what could they possibly want with Yugi?"

"Yugi shared a body with a former Pharaoh…he is worth something to the darkness. His soul would be a treat for them to have. Not to be taken in the wrong sight, but what could Tea's soul be worth to them? She is not worth their time. If she was, they'd be after all of us."

"Well what about you?" Tristan accused. "You shared a body with the Thief King…what if they were coming back for you?"

Ryou simply laughed at the idea.

"Who knows? They could already be inside me right now," he snickered. "They could be controlling me at this very moment and you would never know."

Tristan scooched back anxiously, not taking kindly to that soft warning. Ryou chuckled louder at the notion.

"No worries, Tristan. The darkness already consumed Bakura. The difference with Yugi is that Atem passed on into the light."

Tristan heavily sighed in relief.

"Don't scare me like that. I was having flashbacks to Illusion Island with you trying to steal Mokuba's body."

"That wasn't me! Bloody Hell!"

"I never said it was," Tristan defended. "So anyways, how do we stop it? This darkness surrounding Yugi? And how do we confront him about it?"

"I am unsure of how to stop the darkness hovering Yugi. Whoever is doing this to him is one that must have the ability to be near him all of the time. As you can see, it has the power to tamper and control him in the matter of seconds, and be able to flee just as quickly as it came."

"Hmm… so what do we do? We have to do something."

"I agree. Perhaps we should keep an eye on him after school. See how he acts alone. That could tell us a lot about him and his possible relationship with the darkness."

"A relationship?"

"Correct."

"What relationship?! Yugi wouldn't team up with darkness!"

"Not consciously, no. But the shadows are intelligent. They don't come to you in the form of evil. They come as a friend. They come with gifts and goodies and empty promises. That's when the body is most vulnerable. That's when the shit hits the fan, as one might say."

Tristan widened his eyes in discomfort.

"So you're telling me that Yugi, unknowingly, trusted evil as his friend, and therefore is unsure of when this evil takes over?"

"That's what Bakura did to me. He brought me comfort, made me believe his stories and assured me I would be safe if I hid in my soul room when he needed me to. Spying Yugi for abnormal behavior is the first step."

"Well then that's what we're going to do!"

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

"Joey…I'm…I'm scared," Yugi mumbled nervously, legs shaking as he attempted to focus his gaze on his friend.

"Scared of what, Yug? You know no one is gunna hurt yah with me by yer side."

"I know that. What I mean though is…those dreams…they're warnings."

Yugi's voice came out in stutters. He couldn't come out front and tell Joey about Yami. He trusted Joey with his life, but, he promised to Yami that he wouldn't out him to the public. That could be dangerous for them all. However, he had to start telling Joey something, or else he would turn on him too.

"Warnings of what, bud?" Joey inquired nervously.

"Well, you see, these dreams…they warn me that a second evil has draped itself in our lives once again. It's dangerous, and they come with a plan."

"What's the plan, Yug?"

The teen grimaced at the thought.

"They tamper with people's minds. They cause people to see other's differently. I think that's what they've been doing to Tea. My dream warned me to be wary of those who make accusations against me, for they have been tampered with evil."

Joey perked up in his seat like a bell ringing in his mind.

"Tea said something like she could be the one seeing things. Do yah think that makes sense?"

Yugi nodded his head in guilt.

"It does. I was also warned that the more the lies that the evil spreads, the stronger it gets, because it begins to feed off multiple people rather than just one."

"Oh damn! That's what's happening to Tea! And by her telling me and Tristan, she's spreading it around." Joey grabbed Yugi's hand. "Tristan might fall for it, but I won't. I'm here for you, pal."

"Thank you, Joey. It's just, I'm worried. How do we help Tea become free of this evil? How do we defeat it? I'm scared to be near her because I don't want her seeing an illusion of me."

"I'm not sure, bud. But we need to be careful. We need to keep an eye on them. It's the only way."

Yugi smiled sweetly.

"You have no idea how thankful I am to have you on my side. I don't have much to say to protect my name, but I do have a close connection with the afterlife because of Yami, and with that, they send me warnings in my dreams. That's all I have, Joey. That's all I have to know something is happening."

"I understand," Joey nodded in assent. "Don't worry. We're going rogue ASAP! Evil stands no chance against us!"

"It might," Yugi muttered under his breath. The bell rang, symbolizing the end of the lunch period. Joey darted out of the room with smiles and spewing trumpet noises as if he was a saving grace. Yugi sulked quietly behind him with a fake smile.

"If its plan is to split up my closest friends…it might."

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"Thanks again for everything, Joey!"

"No problem Yug! Are you sure you don't wanna go to the arcade or grab a bite to eat? I'm starving!"

"Maybe I can meet you at Burger World for lunch tomorrow? Tonight I should probably help my Grandpa."

"Alright pal, see yah soon!"

"Bye Joey!"

Yugi smiled widely with a wave to his friend before walking in the opposite direction to head home. His heart was beating faster than normal due to all of the events that went on today. He was nervous about Tristan and Tea, but was damn glad to have Joey around.

The teen slid in between a back alley so Yami would feel comfortable reappearing. After a minute or two on his own, his beautiful lover showed up beside him.

Yami winked at the teen, running his eyes up and down his body real quick to claim his light.

"Looking good, Aibou," Yami flirted.

"Yammmmiiii," Yugi pouted sweetly. "You're such a player."

"I just like to compliment my Aibou, is there something wrong with that?"

"I suppose not."

The Pharaoh snickered at his other. He was always so impressed by how sweet he was. His large, amethyst eyes always gleamed, no matter his mood. The soft frame of his face had to be carved by an angel, for there was no other way to explain his perfected cherubic face…and that smile…it could light the largest of cities. He may be small, but he has a large heart. There is nothing he wouldn't do to help out a friend, and quite honestly, that alone says it all.

"Yugi….I…."

"Yes?" His eyes widened in curiosity, causing Yami to blush slightly at his expression. He eased his muscles and continued on.

"I just wanted to say that I'm really glad you have someone like Joey in your life."

Yugi cocked his head in confusion.

"So am I, but why do you mention?"

Yami shrugged, a lame attempt to pretend like he didn't care or that it wasn't a big deal.

"He's there for you when I can't be. I saw how he treated you during your lunch period. He's a true friend, hold on to him for as long as you can."

"I wouldn't dream of letting him go."

Yami sighed heavily. There was still one thing that was on his mind…

"You two seem close…very close."

"We are!" Yugi beamed. "We are the best of friends. He means everything to me."

The Pharaoh bowed his head in near defeat, breathing in deeply before focusing his attention on something else altogether.

Suddenly he felt a hand reach out to grab him. He slowly raised his head to see Yugi gazing back at him with worried eyes.

"Is something wrong?"

Yami forced a smile.

"Are you more than friends?"

Yugi was taken back by this notion. His other couldn't mean what he thought, did he? Though he did appear very solemn. No, don't jump to conclusions, the teen supposed.

"What do you mean?"

Yami's crimson eyes grew narrower at the realization of what he had started. His muscles around his face tensed at the pressure of releasing this next statement.

"There was a time he held you in his arms," Yami exhaled. "He stroked your hair, rubbed your back and held your hand, rubbing circles on your skin with his fingers…"

"Yami?" Yugi stammered.

"He hummed to you until you stopped crying and wiped away every tear. He promised he would never leave you…"

Yami redirected his gaze to Yugi.

"Already he's done more for you than I ever had or ever can. So if I may ask again…are you more than friends? Has he replaced me?"

Yugi viciously nodded his no in denial, running into his arms to comfort his darkness.

"No Yami!" He mumbled into his shoulder. "You can't ever be replaced. I love you more than anything and anyone. Joey is my best friend, but you…you are my soul mate…my darkness…my true love. No one can replace you."

Yami rubbed his light's back, feeling relaxation overwhelm him. It was a huge relief to hear that.

"How I wish I could be with you forever. Hold you in my arms forever…I will find a way, Yugi. I will."

Yugi looked up and smiled.

"I know you will."

*boom/crash*

The two quickly looked up, Yami jumping in front of Yugi defensively,

"Who was that?" Yugi asked.

"I don't know, but do not worry, they will not bother us. I am here to protect you."

"Let's go, Yami. We can finish talking at home."

On guard, Yami hesitantly nodded in acceptance before grabbing Yugi's arm and dragging him out of the alley quickly and directing him home.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

"Did you catch all of that on tape?"

"Oh my God…"

Tristan and Ryou had kept a steady eye on Yugi ever since the final school bell rang. Unsure of what would happen, they decided to follow the teen on his journey home, and were most shocked by what they discovered.

"I'm not sure about this, Ryou. I know we basically agreed to stalk him, but I didn't think we were going to actually stalk him."

"Think before you speak next time," Ryou teased. "Besides, it's not a big deal. We're just going to follow him home…if he catches us we can just say we wanted to help him out in the shop or something. No worries."

Tristan shrugged in acceptance.

"I suppose."

They lurked closely behind him, making sure to not be seen.

"Where's he going?" Ryou asked.

"I—I don't know. He's turning down a back alley for some reason. Usually he stays on the main streets."

"Well don't just stand there! Let's follow him!"

The two quickly caught up to the entrance of the alley and peeked their heads around the corner.

"What are we waiting for?" Tristan whispered.

"Just listen!"

And so they did, and after a few moments, they heard Yugi whine a certain word to himself that they never would have expected.

"Did he just say 'Yami'?"

"My God! He did! Come, we must sneak behind those tin trash cans!"

Carefully the two lulled over and snuck behind the cans, waiting for further action.

Yugi, was indeed, talking to someone that neither boy could see.

"Tristan, record this!" Ryou insisted.

"Why?"

"For proof."

So Tristan pulled out his phone and began recording the conversation Yugi was having with…well, himself. He got a few minutes of it down, however, Yugi started hugging the air, which had put him off angle for Tristan's camera.

Naturally, Tristan leaned in closer trying to get a better shot, but he accidentally knocked over the lid of one of the cans.

"Fuck," he cussed while quickly hiding back behind the can.

"Who was that?" Yugi called out into the distance.

Afraid that they would be caught, Tristan was about to reveal himself to be on Yugi's good side, but Ryou held him down. A few moments later, they heard footsteps patter down the alley and eventually fade away.

Once they were sure the coast was clear, they perked up from behind the cans in relief.

"Did you catch all that on tape?" Ryou shook Tristan's shoulder.

"Oh my God…"

"That…that was insane," the brunette continued with wide eyes and shock written all over his face. He quickly turned to Ryou. "He said Yami…he was talking to Yami."

"I believe so, that's how it appeared, anyways."

Tristan grabbed Ryou by the shoulders and straightened him to face him seriously.

"What the fuck is going on? Was that really the Pharaoh back there? Is that who he was talking to?"

Ryou was surprised by Tristan's forceful way of asking the question.

"Answer me!" He shook the white haired boy.

"Calm down, Tristan. I know this is abnormal, but we must remain calm."

Finally he took a deep breath, releasing his grasp on Ryou and pacing around nervously.

"Please don't tell me that the Pharaoh is the evil possessing Yugi. He would never forgive me," he mumbled under his breath.

"What do you mean?"

"Yugi would never forgive me if I was the one to tell him that who he trusts the most is the one hurting him. How is this all possible anyways? I thought he passed on, the Pharaoh I mean."

"I'm not sure. Too many questions and not enough answers. That's why we needed that recorded, we have proof now that Yugi is consulting with someone. Whether that's the Pharaoh or not is still up in the air."

"But you heard him confessing his undying love to Yami!" Tristan waved his arm around. "It doesn't get any clearer than that!"

"If you believe that was Yami back there, then you're just as gullible as Yugi," Ryou rolled his eyes. "Unless Yami came back to stop the evil from Yugi, then you just witnessed the darkness that's been possessing Yugi."

"Is that possible? Could it be that Yami has come back to help Yugi?"

"Tristan, at this point, anything is possible." Ryou sighed and cracked his knuckles. "We need to show Joey that tape. Anyone involved with this has to see it. Its proof that there's something lurking over him, whether it's evil or not. It may be our only chance at convincing Joey a greater force is involved."

The brunette nodded his head in confidence.

"Then what are we waiting for?"