Hello. Twitter-hikari-koi has managed to run herself to exhaustion. She left this chapter for me to post and I do hope that it will be enjoyed. Please review for my sanity's sake, or Twitter-koi will be in a slump until she gets some.

Thanks to manga-girl-freak, Youngbountygirl, kate and vampiregirl 31 for the reviews. Manga-girl-freak, Twitter-koi would be giggling over the cuteness of Kuriboh with you were she awake. Youngbountygirl, thanks for replying to my response to your review in chapter ten.

Disclaimer: She doesn't want it. If she did, there would be yaoi galore in the plot, and the other Yamis would still be with their hikaris. Like I am with mine.


~Twelve~

It was the tenth of December when Yugi stood on the deck of the Flying Surprise and gained his first view of London. They had come late in the day and hit high tide, enabling them to move right up the Thames without delay. Yugi had little time to mentally adjust to the changes that were about to happen.

It had begun to drizzle, and even though Yami had yelled at Yugi to put on a cloak, he didn't seem to be able to move. The town of Sierra Leon had been a surprise to him, but London was a shock. The city was huge. Buildings such as he had never imagined towered above him, and Yugi fought back the panic rising within.

Not having noticed that Yami had stopped calling him, he nearly jumped out of his skin when he appeared at the boy's side. Yami had been on the verge of scolding him when he noticed the paleness of his features. He deftly fastened the frogs of the cloak and drew the hood over his spiky hair.

"You're going to be fine," he told Yugi softly. "In no time at all we'll be at your brother's, and you can get settled in you room."

"Does he live on the water?" Yugi's eyes had not left the shore.

"No, he lives in town. We'll be docking and then taking a carriage to his home." Yami finished and then realized that he had lost the boy again. He sighed and prayed to Ra that Ryou and everyone else would become sensitive to the Uke's needs in the hours and days to come.

Just past an hour later Yugi watched a couple come on board ship. Yami greeted them with obvious delight and familiarity, and Yugi suddenly wanted to run and hide. What if they were his brother and sister? What if they didn't like him? Yugi forced himself to look away from the small group, out over the docks and the busy activity below.

It took some mental scolding, but Yugi was able to calm himself down. By the time Yami had called to him, his face was composed and manner serene. Yami approached with a smile and took his arm to lead Yugi to the waiting couple by the gangplank.

"Yugi, this is my brother, Seth and his fiancee Kisara Truesdale. Kisara is Syrus' sister."

The resemblance was apparent in both families, and Yugi immediately relaxed. Seth was nearly as tall as Yami, and sported the same tan features, the only difference being eye colours; Seth had blue eyes, where Yami had cerise. Kisara was much like Syrus, a few years younger, perhaps, but the warm smile was the same.

Without an invitation Kisara stepped forward and hugged Yugi. The young Uke responded much like he had in Sierra Leon, and before he realized what was happening, Kisara was chatting away and leading him down the gangplank to a waiting carriage.

The Semes followed and, speaking in a low tone, Seth filled Yami in on the last four months. Yami praised the spirits at the new that his grandfather, the Duke of Briscoe, was still alive. He had said his goodbyes before he left, but it had been his deepest hope that the old man would be there when he returned. Both families we well, Yugi's and his own, and everyone was looking forward to being at Bracken, the duke's home, for Christmas.

Yugi, completely unaware of anything but Kisara, was listening attentively and doing his best to answer the questions asked of him. The carriage was in motion for some minutes before the conversation shifted, and for a short while the adults in the carriage conversed alone. I those few moments Yugi let his eyes roam over Kisara's beautiful cloak, hat and dress.

Not wanting to be caught staring, he shifted his eyes to the window, thinking as he did that both Syrus and Kisara had wonderful taste in clothing. Compared to their outfits, Yugi's cloak and garments were dowdy. His attention was then caught by some women and Ukes on the street as they passed by. They too were wearing stylish cloaks with matching hats in gorgeous colours. With sudden and disheartening knowledge, Yugi knew his clothes were all wrong.

His face burned as questions ran through his mind. Had Calla been wrong? Why hadn't Yami said anything about his clothing?

"Yugi?" Yami called his name a second time, and he turned, barely remembering to compose his features.

"Yes?"

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he lied smoothly. "Are we nearly there yet?" Yugi asked the first question that came to mind to keep himself from dwelling on the lurking hysteria.

Yami glanced out the window. "Another ten minutes. What do you think of the city?"

"Wonderful." Again he lied, but this time Yami caught it. Wishing they were alone so that he could question Yugi further, Yami smiled gently at him before Yugi turned to look out the window.


Ryou Akefia, Yugi's Uke brother, stood in the doorway of what was to be Yugi's room. It was a nice room, functional actually, but Ryou didn't want nice or functional, he wanted special. Bakura had talked him out of doing any remodeling until Yugi arrived, and new he was regretting it. First impressions were so important, and this room had always been a bit dark and masculine.

Bakura had reasoned that Yugi would want to have a say in the decorating, thinking that would make him feel more at home. But taking in the dark brown draperies and equally dark carpets and hangings, Ryou wondered if maybe they hadn't made a mistake.

Moments later, a maid was sent to tell Ryou that his lordship and Yugi had arrived. Knowing it was too late to change a thing, Ryou took a last glance at the room and told himself not to run as he hurried downstairs to meet his uke brother.


Yugi's head tilted back as he took in the four-storied gray-stone mansion that belonged to his brother. With only two other mansions in sight, the street itself was not busy, but the noise of the city was just a block away, and easily heard.

Yugi was rooted to the spot until he felt Yami's hand on his back. He proceeded Yami up the wide steps. Once at the top of the stairs the wide doors opened, seemingly on their own. Seth and Kisara caught sight of Yugi's serene features as he entered his brother's house for the first time, and were impressed at how well he seemed to be doing.

Yami, on the other hand, was not fooled. He knew just how well Yugi could hide his thoughts and found himself wishing that Kisara and Seth had not met them at the ship, so they could have more time to talk. But as with Ryou and the bedroom, Yami knew that it was too late to change things.

Yugi told himself not to look as his cloak was taken away and he moved through the entryway and into a large parlor at the prompting of Yami's hand. He was determined not to look at his fitted leggings and tunic, cry or make a fool of himself. Yugi moved one step closer to the fire and looked as composed as the queen herself.

Only a moment passed before a Uke entered and came towards him. He was taller then Yugi, but the resemblance was marked. Yami did not make introductions this time; he wasn't sure that he could even speak as he looked at Ryou's face. He was sure that he had been wearing the same expression the first time he had met Yugi.

Yugi was still looking like a statue as Ryou moved to stand within two feet of him. He smiled into a face that was a younger version of their grandfather. As for Yugi, all he could do was stare.

"Hello Yugi," his brother said softly. "I'm Ryou."

"Hello Ryou," Yugi managed.

Ryou could not stay away from him another moment. He moved then and took Yugi in his arms. His eyes closed against a rush of tears, and Ryou scolded himself over crying.

Yugi was also fighting back tears, but of another nature. The ship had felt so safe, and the air at sea was so clean, unlike London, which smelled of sewage. Until they had docked, it had all seemed like a wonderful dream. He'd had all of Yami's attention, and the reaction of his family was only a thought in his mind. Now he was having to share Yami. Since he was now meeting his family in person, imagining them was no longer a game.

What if, after a few months, they feel that my coming here has been a mistake? What if they decide I'm better off in Egypt, and I'm sent away once more? These were the last thoughts that ran through Yugi;s mind as Ryou released him. Yugi hadn't really hugged his older brother in return, but didn't realize this until he was held at arm's-length from Ryou.

None of his disappointment was on Ryou's face as he looked at his younger brother. He stood looking for the words that would express his joy at Yugi's return. In an instant, he decided to say nothing personal.

"Supper is in 30 minutes. Would you like to go see you room or remain here by the fire?"

Yugi knew that Yami would not be in his room, so he opted to remain by the fire. The others decided to take a seat now. The conversation flowed around the youngest member of the family with a familiar ease.

Much to his relief, not questions were directed towards Yugi, who sighed in relief and let his eyes wander.

Ryou, some feet away, looked at his youngest brother's face. Seth and Kisara were talking easily, and Yugi never realized Ryou's scrutiny. He's so young to hide his fear behind a mask of composure. Do I really have a chance of getting close to this Uke brother who was raised in such a foreign way? Ryou's thoughts were enough to make him want to cry all over.

^Master Ryou is sad. Little Master and Missy are coming!^ Ryou smiled as a small spirit whispered in his hear. His Change of Heart always knew when he was sad, and what exactly he could do to make things better. If Leo and Luna was that something, then he would welcome it with open arms.


ZZZZZZZZZ...

Hikari-koi has been out the entire morning. Not sure if that is good or bad. Oh well. Twitter-koi pursuaded me to go with her to the movie, so I am posting this as she is sleeping off the late night/early moring. Hope this satisfies.

Ja ne,

Yami Twitterpated