Keira: Hey, everyone! *dodges pots and pans being thrown* Ami!

Ami: *emerges from kitchen* What? You know you had it coming. *shrugs*

Keira: That doesn't mean to throw things at me! *pushes Yugi out from behind her* You could have hurt my little Yugi!

Yugi: I was actually safe...

Ami: *rolls eyes* So, baka here wants to tell you guys that she would have had this out sooner if she hadn't lost her job and had a whole lot of crap happen in these past months.

Keira: *sniffs* I'm moving on, though... And at least I can spend more time with my family now... *smiles when Yugi pats her back*

Yugi: So... Disclaimer?

Ami: Disclaimer.

Yu-Gi-Oh! is not owned by HikarixYamixYaoi. No profit is being made from this, it is purely the work of fan fiction.

Keira: Oh, and thank you to everyone who left a review - you guys are my sweets =)

Text 13: Warm Feelings

"I want to be there for you." That was... What Yami told me. Those words that seemed familiar, but how? And most importantly: why?

I was almost in deep sleep — the one where you're so asleep that reality is just a dense fog, yet sometimes you can slightly feel yourself moving. Your limbs tossing and turning, but your mind stayed hazed, lost in a dream.

Was that what was happening now? But why did I start feeling nauseous? Like I'd been on a roller-coaster for an hour and couldn't handle my stomach? I could feel myself getting hotter and hotter — to the point I was burning up. What's going on?

Everything was hazy, but I could make out the formation of a... house? I was in a room? Wait... No, it couldn't be...

"Mommy!" No. That wasn't me...

I could make out a small figure slouching over something toward the middle of the room. The familiar hair was a dead giveaway... It was me. Years ago, when—

"Yugi..." My eyes widened at the sound of that gentle, yet pained voice of my mom. No. Why was I seeing this?!

I gasped when suddenly the image changed and my mom was right in front of me — it was the image that my younger self was seeing. Right before his eyes.

It was hard to make out details, but all of my attention focused when her shaking arms raised up as if to pull me to her.

"I want to be there for you!" She sounded so desperate, her loving tone was fierce as her arms began to tremble at the energy to hold them up.

And then it was all gone.

I woke up, gasping for air and clutching the fabric of my night shirt over my heart. I laid there for a couple of minutes, just trying to calm my racing heart and gather air into my burning lungs. I shakily sat up, some parts of me still felt numb.

I gently touched my head, before grabbing a fistful of hair. My mind was racing as I tried to focus on that... dream.

No. It wasn't just a dream this time. It was a piece of my forgotten memory, of that precious time with my mom before everything went to hell.

"I want to be there for you!"

Her voice, her words... Echoed in my mind and rattled my ears into a buzzing sensation. Could that sentence have been her last words to me? Or apart of the last things she spoke to me? I cringed when I felt the oncoming of a headache spike up.

These past night have been restless ever since Yami left, and all I could remember were those words he said... They seemed to have a powerful meaning.

They are powerful, My thoughts reassured me. Powerful enough to get a piece of the past that I've always wanted to figure out.

But it wasn't just his words... It was Yami himself. He didn't know it yet, but he helped uncover some of my forgotten memories... So then, would he be able to unlock even more?

I clutched the bed sheet that pooled around me. Was I really ready for the truth?

I shook my head, and got up and out of bed — the shakiness had stopped, and I was breathing regularly now. Today I get to meet up with everyone to see our final score on our grades — to see if we pass or fail.

. * . * .

"Man, next year we'll be seniors!" Tristan said, all of us were practically glowing. We were all sitting around a round lunch table in the school's cafeteria.

"I know! Just one more year and then it's 'see ya later, Domino High!'" Joey celebrated with Tristan — okay, so they were too excited to really sit with the rest of us and instead were prancing excitingly around the lunchroom. (Okay, maybe not actually prancing around, but you get the idea)

"Now we'll get to take special courses to prep for college, I heard they'll release the list of them mid-July." Ryou spoke, drinking some herbal tea — which was probably the reason why he was the most relaxed one right now.

"And we'll get senior skip days!" Malik shouted out joyfully, probably not even hearing what Ryou just said.

"We'll also have to spend extra time at school... Which is okay, I guess, since we'll all be in this together." Anzu smiled at all of us, and I smiled with her.

"And we get those special priveledges we've been waiting for," I said, smiling and laughing as Joey and Tristan started singing some weird song.

"So what are the plans for the summer, guys?" Malik asked loudly, trying to draw everyone's attention to the table. Fortunately, Joey and Tristan seemed to hear because they made their way over — well, danced their way, I should say.

"We should all do somethin' together this year!" Joey said, and I liked that idea; last year we all did different things and didn't really spend too much time together.

"Yeah! Like rent a place to ourselves in Renka!" Tristan spoke, and a shiver raced up my spine. Please no...

Anzu caught my gaze and offered a different place of interest, and pretty soon everyone was yelling out different vacation hotspots. Through it all, I was able to pick up Ryou's soft whisper.

"Or we could just all go to the beach, like that one time..." His whisper was sarcastic, and I smiled at the memory of our beet-red skin. Oh how fun that was...

"Hey, Ryou that's a great idea!" Malik's loud voice rang and I immediately face-palmed. Of course MALIK of all people would hear Ryou's nearly-almost-silent voice.

I heard Ryou sigh and look up.

"I was being sarcastic, Malik... And besides, how would we even get to the beach?"

I smirked at this, bet he didn't think that one through!

But Malik's eyes remained light and cheerful, "Easy, I'll call Keira!" And with that (leaving me completely shocked) he whipped out his phone and pressed a few buttons before putting it to his ear.

In a few seconds, she seemed to have answered because he started talking animatedly, "Hey, Kei-chan! Do you have a sec? ... Well, everyone, including me, was wondering if we might could go back to the beach house this summer? Pretty please?"

We all then heard a voice talking at high speed, but couldn't make out the words. Meanwhile, Malik kept a serious look on his tanned face while nodding at the appropriate times.

"Uh-huh, okay. Yes. Thank you, Kei-chan! Love you, bye!" And with that end note, he hung up and he saw all of our stares.

... Seriously? When did my cousin and the Egyptian maniac become BFF's?!

Malik blinked. "So... I got it set up with Keira and Ami — it's beach-vacation-time this summer, baby!" And like an explosion, everyone immediately started cheering while Ryou and I shared wary looks.

Oh great... Ouch in the sun.

Here it was, Graduation Day. The seniors had a long and special performance elsewhere while we held ours in a smaller building. It wasn't anything extravagant, but there were still a lot of people to show up to congratulate us.

I saw Keira and Ami first — this was the perfect opportunity for Keira-chan to bust out her trusty cammy! ... Or otherwise, her video camera, camcorder-thingy!

"Smile, cuz!" Was my only warning before a bright flash blinded me and I was left with an awkwardly-put-together smile on my face. I was wearing casual clothes since we didn't have to wear our school uniforms today. And yes, Anzu was the one who prepared my comfortable leather outfit. She said I looked really good in leather, so I just went with it since she knows more about fashion than me.

Keira grinned at me, blue eyes bright as she scanned me over. "Lookin' good, Yugi!"

I blushed a little as Ami smiled mischievously. "Yeah, who put together that outfit? 'Cause we all know you wouldn't have worn something like that on your own." Her darker blue eyes leered down at me, and I pouted at her. Just because I wasn't all that bold doesn't mean I wouldn't have worn something like this! ... Okay, maybe I wouldn't have — but still!

Suddenly, someone ran up and slung an arm around my small shoulders — jostling me slightly.

"Isn't he the cutest thing in an outfit like this?" Anzu bragged from beside me, smiling at me and then at the older girls.

Keira gave a big smile and nodded. "I approve!" She stated cheerfully, giving a thumbs-up posture while Ami rolled her eyes fondly.

Anzu giggled, and that's when the two girlier members started talking away and Ami came over to stand with me — shuddering at all of the fashion talk.

"Congrats, kiddo. How ya feeling?" Ami asked me, smiling slightly.

I shrugged, smiling also. "Thanks, I feel really relieved that we're all one more step ahead in high school."

She nodded. "Yep, one more step to go and you can say goodbye to this hellhole, huh?"

I laughed at her, and she smirked. Like I've stated previously, Ami does not beat around the bush. I started looking around, and Ami noticed.

"Looking for Yami? He's supposed to show up with Kaiba and Mokuba," Ami told me, looking around with me as we walked closer to the entrance of the building. The building was our old gymnasium, it was a metal building with very few overhead lights and little air-conditioning. So they left the large doors open where natural air and sunlight spilled in. It was a comfortable atmosphere. I felt my eyebrows pull together in confusion when I remembered two other people who were supposed to be here today.

"What about Bakura and Marik—"

Sudden maniacal laughter could be heard as two shadows ran into the building from the bright entrance. Ami immediately stopped and turned her head to follow the two with narrowed eyes.

"Looks like the psychos are here, I'll catch up with you later short stuff." Ami said before weaving gracefully through the crowd of people. Her eyes were trained on the two psychos who were currently rampaging through the crowd — probably looking for Ryou and Malik.

I sighed, but smiled nonetheless. Grandpa was talking with the principle since they apparently go way back, Anzu and Keira were still talking together, Joey and Serenity were talking with Tristan as they just exited back-stage... Where was Ryou and Malik? I started looking around again when I felt someone pat my shoulder, surprising me for the second time today.

"What's up, Yugi?! Has Marik gotten here yet? Huh? Have you seen him?" Well, Malik was as exuberant as always as he looked at me with pleading lilac eyes, his body jumping slightly.

Ryou sighed from beside him, finally having caught up to the hyperactive blonde Egyptian. "Malik, please calm down."

"How can I stay calm when—"

He abruptly stopped talking because his eyes landed on another certain blonde Egyptian in the crowd. Their eyes met, and they both stopped for about five seconds. I swear, it was like one of those sappy moments in a romance novel when two lovers make eye-contact...

Then it was instantaneous, both of them shouted something (obviously pet names) as they both ran toward each other and hugged each other to the point where it was kind of... embarrassingly intimate. In public. My face immediately turned a shade of red and I looked away, which Ryou did the same as he huffed slightly.

"The lunatic actually decided to drink three cups of coffee behind my back this morning so now he's all hyper!" He shook his head, and I felt bad for Ryou — he was the one who had to put up with that hyperness the most since Malik stayed over his house a lot. The whitenette then smiled at me. "So how have you been? It's been so hectic in the last few hours that I haven't really gotten to talk with anyone since we practiced our walk this morning."

Yeah, ever since eight o' clock this morning we've been practising our Graduation walk and such. It was almost one in the afternoon so a lot of us were ready to get this done and over with.

I smiled, but before I could respond to him, I suddenly spotted Bakura slowly and stealthily making his way behind Ryou. I opened my mouth to warn him, but Bakura was too fast. Ryou squeaked — yes, squeaked — as two pale arms wrapped around him from behind and pulled him in to the body behind him. As soon as he heard the evil-sounding laughter (because it seriously sounded that way), Ryou relaxed and a warming smile lit his pale face.

"Hello, 'Kura." He spoke, and the silver-haired boy behind him just chuckled again — and with a wry smile I noticed the way Ryou blushed at that. Wait... Was Bakura whispering in his ear? Judging by Ryou's blushing face, I figured he was. What exactly was he saying...?

You probably don't want to know. My thoughts reasoned, and I just nodded at that.

With a surprised yelp, Ryou was pulled over Bakura's shoulder and the taller boy started walking away with Ryou casting a flushed face back toward me. Man, he's totally embarrassed!

"Bakura, put me down!" Ryou yelled, the blush he wore even spread to his neck and ears.

I heard Bakura chuckle before stopping. He looked at me with a devious grin. "See you later, brat." And with that, he took the still complaining Ryou into the back of the crowd somewhere. Should I be worried about my timid friend? With that guy? Probably. Ryou seemed to trust him though...

"Yugi?" I suddenly heard a familiar baritone voice call from behind me and I turned around just in time to catch the crimson gaze as they gleamed in the sunlight — in fact, his whole body was engulfed by the natural light, making him stand out more than he already did. Why did he suddenly seem so ethereal then?

I got out of my surprise rather quickly (shocking myself) and turned to face him with a smile. "Hey, Yami!"

He mirrored my smile, and I had the sudden urge to hug him — but that would be weird, right? Then again, everyone else seemed to be hands-on lately...

Yami stepped closer to me, out of the light and into the darker atmosphere of the metal building. He started looking around and voiced his thoughts, "So where is everyone?"

I shrugged. "Well, Bakura showed up and took Ryou away (embarrassingly so). Marik and Malik are doing God knows what together somewhere, and I think Keira, Ami, and Anzu are hanging out together." I wasn't too sure where Joey and them went to, but Yami seemed to find them because he smirked slightly.

"And it seems Kaiba found his puppy."

I followed his line of sight, and there in the back corner was Kaiba and Joey — who both seemed to be having a heated discussion judging by how close their faces were and the way they were both tense. I also noticed how Joey seemed to be blushing, and having known him for years I can guarantee that it's not just from whatever they're fighting about.

"Joey so likes Seto it's hard to watch," I heard myself say out loud before I could stop myself.

Yami just looked at me with surprise clearly written on his sharp face. "Is that so? Well this makes things easier since he's all Kaiba ever seems to talk about."

It was my turn to be surprised. I had an inkling that Kaiba might feel the same way, but I was never positive on it. "So they both like each other? That's kind of... weird, but good at the same time. Wonder if we need to do something, since they're both really stubborn."

Yami nodded. "I agree, only I'm not much of a match-maker — I usually leave that kind of stuff to Keira—"

"Did someone say match-making~?" With a sudden yelp, both Yami and I parted (had we really been that close to each other?) as Keira unexpectedly made an appearance behind us.

She was positively leering at the same two people we were just gazing at.

"Time to work my magic!" She fist-pumped the air before taking off toward the arguing two in the corner. Jeez, there's no controlling her when she has a love project in mind...

I laughed lightly. "Well that's my cousin for you..."

I felt Yami lightly bump my shoulder, a smirk on his face. "Let's go see what happens."

I raised a brow. "Curious, Yami?"

He laughed at that, and I felt my heart speed up a bit.

"Very much so."

We walked over to the three, where Keira had her hands on her hips in front of the two who seemed... very close to each other. I honestly don't think they realized it, since they usually liked to get up-close and personal with each other during their arguments. Presently, Joey was flat against the wall with his head leaning out toward Kaiba who towered over the dirty-blond. Kaiba's hands were pressed a few inches away on either side of Joey's face, their bodies were only inches away from touching each other too...

Yami spoke up when I couldn't, "Kaiba, don't you know it's inappropriate to do these things in public? You know they have rooms for whenever you feel like—"

"If you know what's good for you, you'll shut your mouth right there." Kaiba glared with all of the iciness he was known for at his smirking cousin.

Keira giggled, her posture changing to where she tried to cover her ginormous grin with her hand. "You know... I never pegged you to as a couple." Her giggling stopped, and she shrugged her petite shoulders. "But whatever. I ship it."

Okay... Just what the heck did that mean? I know my cousin is crazy (in a good way), but she may have just gone insane...

Both Kaiba's and Joey's eyes widened at that, and then they were both talking.

"What the heck are ya talkin' 'bout, Keira? As if I'd ever be with this guy!"

"How dare you think something as disgusting as me and the mutt together!"

"I'm not a dog, rich-boy!"

"You're my f*cking puppy and you know it, so stop yapping!"

Then there was a significant silent pause as everyone took in that last statement. And when I say a silent pause, I mean like suddenly this corner was inside its own silent-proof ball of awkwardness.

That silence was broken by an unlikely source.

"Ra, just kiss already or something! I can smell the sexual tension!" Malik yelled — not too far away from where we were at. He was still glued to Marik, in the fact that Marik was holding him up so he could press his tanned face into Malik's slender neck while Malik had two handfuls of abnormally spiky platinum blond hair. You could hear the rumbling coming from Marik from where we were at, it sounded like he was purring... He was just one large kitten in Malik's arms.

Kaiba and Joey's eyes widened and seemed to... Well, honestly look at each other and noticed just how close they are. Joey seemed a little scared, and a blush spread all across his face as he pulled back — and naturally Seto pulled back too. The brunet looked away, but I could have sworn I saw the dusting of what looked like a blush on the CEO's face.

"Well, uh," Joey seemed highly uncomfortable with the whole situation. "Guess I'd better go check up on Serenity..."

Kaiba looked down at his pristine shoes and muttered something lowly, but "Mokuba" could be heard and then he walked away, so I figured he was going to search for his little brother. Joey, too embarrassed to spare us a glance, walked off in the opposite direction. Which was kind of funny, since I saw Serenity and Mokuba sitting at the bleachers talking together earlier.

Keira huffed and stomped her foot. "Gosh, I didn't even get to see a kiss! Is that too much to ask for from those two?! Gah, they're so stubborn!" She pouted when she turned around to face us finally.

"Pfft... From the looks of it, they need to do more than that." I heard Marik mutter loudly, not lifting his head from Malik's neck.

Malik grinned, eyes shining deviously. "Don't worry, we'll get them together." His statement was more directed at Keira, who smirked deviously before taking in the joined blond Egyptians.

I heard her giggle mischievously while holding up her camcorder and walking toward the pair.

I turned to Yami just as he turned to me. I saw him blink before he responded. "Well, that was... Interesting."

I just nodded my head at that one.

I suddenly yelped when I felt two hands around my eyes — the sudden blackness surprising me.

"Can you guess who?" A familiar feminine voice said from behind me and with a grin, I knew who it was.

"Cin-chan!" I shouted, letting out a small giggle since I knew she loved it when I did cute things — it often led me to getting away with things when we worked together on the same shift.

She instantly let me go and started giggling, which made me smile more as I turned around to give her a hug. We were always giving each other hugs, since we've become good friends in the time I've gotten to know her.

"I'm glad you could make it!" I told her after we stopped hugging, and I smiled while seeing Harley in the distance talking with someone. I wonder if Jaden and Chazz were here too?

She just smiled a cheesy grin. "No problem! Keira got the word out to everyone else at work — so those who were off are here. Even Layla showed up! She's talking with Ami now," Cin said, pointing to where her sister sat talking with the dark-haired girl on the bleachers. She then noticed Yami standing partially behind me and offered a grin. "Hey, Yami! How's it going?"

Yami smiled politely, having met the girl once before. "Hello, Cin. I'm doing well, how are you?"

I let them talk while I reminisced a bit. Graduation wasn't anywhere near as exciting last year — I remember how all of us just wanted to completely skip Graduation Day... And now here we are, a year later, surrounded by even more friends. I smiled to myself.

"Yuuugi~!" I heard Keira's voice just before she grabbed me by the shoulders. "It's time for pictures!" She eagerly held up a very familiar camera.

I pointed at it. "Hey, isn't that..."

"Shhh," She motioned with her finger to stay silent. "It's Malik's camera — I'm borrowing it for a little while since the battery died in mine..." Gee, I wonder why? "He's too busy with Marik to notice it's missing anyway." She waved it off casually, and I sweat-dropped.

Yeah, because if he did notice then we would all hear the shriek of, "WHERE THE FRIG DID MY CAMERA GO?!" But he must be incredibly occupied to have not noticed his most precious treasure.

Keira giggled before taking and shoving me and Yami hastily together. "I want a picture of you two together!" she squealed, as I felt Yami wrap his arms around me out of reflex to not fall. And of course, my entire face was set alight with red...

There was an abrupt flash of the camera, and a squeal from Cin as she saw the picture develop.

"Aww, aren't they cute?" Keira gushed to her friend, and I grew flustered fast.

"Keira!" Both me and Yami seemed to have the same idea and embarrassment because we both shouted that at the same time. We turned our heads to look at each other, and at seeing each other's blushing faces, turned away from each other. Yami quickly disentangled himself from me, and I just stood awkwardly with my whole body buzzing from the lightheadedness.

After the two girls stopped their... What was the word? Fangirling? Yeah, that. They turned to me.

"Yugi! Take a picture of me and Cin!" And then I was thrown the camera, and with a smile at the two girls, proceeded to take pictures of them.

That wouldn't be the end of the picture flashes though, at least a dozen or more snapped when I went and walked across the stage to take my diploma and other awards. At least we didn't have to wear Graduation gowns yet. That would be for next year.

Afterwards, there were some speeches and a lot of sitting before we were allowed to get up and leave. The senior graduation would be twice as long as this one next year — and we all kind of groaned at that.

I was just walking off stage, looking around for familiar faces, when I saw something that made my breath catch painfully in my throat. I felt my whole being shut down into an icy-cold stupor. Black hair... Trimmed short to the back of the neck...

Such a familiar hairstyle of the back of the head was all I got, and then the man had exited into the mob of people leaving already.

No.

My hand quivered and I bit my lip as my eyes widened in my fright that ran like lightning through my body.

No!

There's no possible way...

It can't be him!

"Yugi!" I heard Anzu shout, and I tore my eyes from the long gone figure of the man who... Looked like father...

Suddenly I was hit and engulfed in a warm embrace, the force of the impact causing me to falter and stumble back a few steps — but the person held me tighter. I knew who it was.

"Anzu?" I mentally flinched at my broken tone.

She shushed me silently, carefully, softly running her fingers through my hair gently. Motherly.

I broke right there, feeling my knees buckle, but Anzu was there to catch me before I fell. Before it hurt...

She knew my silent pleads, and before I could register what was happening, we were already in the bathroom. It was one of the single bathrooms, and Anzu locked the door as I leaned against the sink, breathing heavily now. Why was I having a panic attack now?

Anzu just stared at me for a few moments while I started shaking, and then I felt her warm touch on my shoulders — those small, cowardly, insignificant—

I harshly held my head, my hands crushing against my ears as if to block the memories, his voice screaming at me about how worthless I am...

"Yugi," Anzu softly spoke, her eyes glistening with unshed tears — why does my pain make her sad? Why do I keep making everyone's lives around me so hard?!

Sudden anger at myself spiked within me and I lashed out as my hand raised up of its own accord and suddenly flew back and hit the porcelain sink behind me. With a harsh thud, I pulled it to my chest — clenching my teeth as the pain magnified.

"Yugi!" Anzu was in shock, quickly taking my hand and inspecting it for injury. It felt better when cradled in her gentle grasp — reminding me so much of momma...

"I want to be there for you." That memory constantly played back in my mind now. There for me? What did she mean? That she wanted to live and take care of me and not die? How did she die then?!

Anzu looked down, her figure torn and sad, and then she pulled me into a hug — mindful of my hurt hand — and kept me there for a while. I found comfort just hearing her heartbeat — marveling at how calm and reassuring the sound of one's heartbeat against my own was. It reminded me that they were alive.

Maybe staying so long huddled against mom's dead body warped my mind — or at least, that's what I heard the doctors say... Once, when I wasn't supposed to be listening.

Anzu's hesitant voice made me come down from my thought plane. "Are you okay? What happened...?" Even though it was brief, I knew what she was really asking. What happened to cause an episode? Especially here at graduation, with everyone around? Was there anything she could do to help ease the pain?

I let out a shaky breath, feeling better after doing so. "I-I thought..." My voice was dry and raspy, and I licked my lips before starting again. "I could have sworn... That I saw him just now." I could feel my hands shake a bit, but Anzu grabbed them in her reassuring hold.

I could feel her eyes widen against my head where she had her face pressed into my hair — completely off-guard by what I said. "A-Are you sure?"

I nodded a little, determination suddenly setting in. "It was him... Unless I saw things..." Sudden doubt settled just as swift as the determination did. Maybe I had just been seeing things... It wouldn't be the first time...

"But it couldn't have been him, you know as much as me, that he's gone..." She still spoke softly, clutching my shirt now.

The more and more we talked, the more I just believed that I made it up... That I got it wrong, saw what I always feared. "Yeah..." I murmured lowly, and Anzu stepped back to look at me.

"It's going to be okay, Yugi. He'll never bother you again. All of us will be here for you, and you know it." She reassured me, but why did it seem (there in the middle) like she was trying to reassure herself? I saw her expression falter the tiniest bit — having known her for so long, I could tell.

Was she hiding something from me? She wouldn't do something like that, though... Right?

Suddenly, loud banging against the door shocked us and we turned to it.

"Hey! Yug'? Anzu? You guys in there?" I could hear Joey's voice on the other side, and smiled a bit. They must have been worried... How long have we been away?

"Yes, we are! Just hold on," Anzu then looked at me, as if to confirm if it was really all right to leave now.

I smiled and nodded, I would be okay. I had to.

"We've been looking all over for you two! What happened?" Joey questioned us when we walked out of the bathroom, I could see the worry in his brown eyes.

"Yugi just got a little emotional is all," Anzu chided with a smile, waving it off casually, but that caused Joey to look at me now — a huge grin on his face.

"Is that right?" Joey said mischievously before pulling me into a noogie - playful and loving. At least that will never change.

"Why don't you come over for the night? Yugi could use the company," Grandpa suggested, smiling at the two of us. Grandpa seemed to sense how emotional I was, and didn't want me to be alone without a friend because he suggested this as soon as me and Yami found him.

Yami looked taken aback, but he still wore a polite smile. He looked at me to see if it was all right, and I nodded at him, finding it easier to smile. "Thank you for your offer, I kindly accept." He even did a little bow, causing Grandpa to grin.

"It's no problem, and you don't have to be so polite with me!" He chuckled kindheartedly, patting Yami on the back lightly.

I grinned at Yami. "Looks like it's a sleepover!" I couldn't contain myself as I hugged him around the waist. He felt so warm... But when I looked up, I noticed that his cheeks were red a little. Was he blushing?

After saying goodbye to everyone, we made our way back home where I once again showed Yami around. I helped him put his stuff in the guest room, and then we decided to hang out in the living room and watch a movie.

It was a horrible sci-fi movie that we couldn't help but point and laugh at. It was refreshing to be this close to Yami, the atmosphere around us becoming so carefree — it made me forget all about my pain and harsh memories.

. * . * .

"So this is the biggest one you have?"

"Yep, that would be the only one that would somewhat fit you."

It was now late at night, and we were getting ready for bed when Yami realized he didn't have any extra clothes. That was when I had to practically tear my closet apart to find the biggest size shirt I happened to own. Luckily, I owned a few bigger-sized T-shirts that I liked to wear on the occasional night. What? Big shirts were more comfortable.

Even when I found one, it still seemed a tad short on him, but it was all he could work with for now.

I had already changed into my night gear — which consisted of shorts and a black tank-top. I waited on Yami to return from the bathroom, idly playing on my phone. With the exams and graduation, none of us seemed to have time for our site in the past weeks. Now, with school behind us for a couple of months, we could enjoy our free-time and hopefully conquer the next Shadow Boss.

"Aibou, it barely fits..." I heard Yami grumble, and I turned my head to see him walk into my room. I held back a gasp as I saw how the shirt fit him tightly, and that it came a few inches above his... Is he just wearing his boxers?! Well, I suppose that fits since he didn't have anything else, and leather pants aren't the most comfortable to sleep in...

"Aibou, what are you staring at?" Yami's voice startled me, and with a blush, I turned away to look back at my phone. I hadn't realized it until now, but Yami had some muscles!

"I didn't realize you worked out that much..." I muttered lowly, cursing myself when it sounded like I was accusing him of being lazy.

"Not necessarily 'working out,' but I do take martial arts lessons every other week or so." Yami casually spoke, coming to sit beside me and that made me look at him curiously.

"You know martial arts?!" Wow, I honestly never pegged him for the type!

He smiled at my excitement. "Yes. Ami decided to teach it to me when I showed interest. She teaches me lessons when she has the time."

My eyes grew in wonder. I've always had the slightest interest to learn how to fight — well, not necessarily fight, but basic self-defense.

Yami saw the glow in my eyes, and smiled in a warm way. "Would you like me to teach you a few moves?"

I started nodding my head instantly. Who wouldn't want to learn martial arts?!

Yami started off by showing me some warm-up exercises, mainly stretching my limbs and getting my muscles moving. He then showed me the proper stance to take — his looked way more impressive than mine.

When I didn't fall into it a certain way, he stood behind me to move my body into the stance himself.

"You have to put your arms out like this," He gently grabbed my forearms and pushed them out slightly while sliding his hands to my lower arms and bending them slightly to where my elbows jutted out. "Now make a fist with both hands — make sure to tuck your thumb in under your other fingers. A lot of the time that's how people break their thumbs, by leaving them out when they swing."

My nerves were buzzing in a soothing manner, making me fall into a peaceful lull of calm. Where Yami touched my arms, goosebumps were starting to appear yet I wasn't cold, more like warm. Very warm.

I felt him separate my legs with his foot. "Bend your knees a bit so you're crouching and standing your ground. This will give you more power and footing against your opponent."

Why was I feeling like this...? Yami's soft, baritone voice was right at my ear, and every time he spoke, I felt an electric chill shoot from my sensitive ear and down my spine. It felt... really good. But why? And why was my body yearning for something?

Not paying attention properly, I realized I failed in taking the proper stance Yami wanted me to so he decided to help me. When I felt his gentle, but firm hands on my bare legs, the electric chill tingled and intensified to the point that a satisfying burn grew under where Yami was touching me. I whimpered when all of the sensations became too much and my body jerked away from his warm one.

My face was on fire, and my heart was hammering in my chest. The nerves buzzed less and left an odd, but pleasant, after tingle throughout my body. Okay... Just what the hell was that now?! I've never felt that way before!

"Yugi?" My mortification was short-lived when I looked back up to see Yami hesitantly reaching out for me, his eyes questioning. "Are you all right? Did I do something wrong?"

I was still shocked over the whole situation, but managed to snap somewhat out of it to shake my head. "No, you didn't do anything wrong! I just... I just—"

I felt his hand clasp reassuringly on my bare shoulder, and I opened the eyes that I had tightly closed without realizing. I was greeted with his warm smile, which seemed to make my heart gallop in pace.

"It's okay, Aibou. We can always do this lesson later, it's getting late and we need sleep for tomorrow."

I just couldn't stop staring at his face now. "Uh... Right, I'm just tired so I'll go sleep now..." Gah, my thoughts were racing and now I was talking without even thinking!

He continued smiling, and before I could piece together what was happening, he was leaning down—

And placed a gentle, yet firm, kiss on my forehead. My eyes were wide as he stayed there for a few moments, and already the nerves were buzzing around inside me like angry hornets in a hornets nest. My throat felt closed up, and all I could do was stare as Yami pulled away. With one last smile, he turned and walked away from me and out of my room — I presumed he was heading down the hall to the guest room.

I don't know how long I stood there in a daze. I felt the warmness of where his lips had been, settle and consume my face, and I reached up with my hand to feel where that warmness had started. This was so strange... These feelings I was having. I've never felt anything like this before, how was I supposed to act? It felt extremely good to feel like this. But I didn't understand...

I fell backwards onto my bed — not even realizing it was that close. I stared up at my starry ceiling in wonder and confusion as I remembered the way it felt when he touched me...

I rolled over and locked into the fetal position, trying to hold onto this warm feeling I had... It made my heart race and something like electricity coursed through every inch of my body...

What was it, though? Most importantly, one thought raced through my head and wouldn't stop:

What is wrong with me?

Keira: Some of the things that were put in this chapter was totally unexpected... But that's inspiration for ya! =P

Ami: At least we got some Puppyshipping... *she cuts her eyes to Yugi* And you got all hot and bothered by Yami.

Yugi: *blushes and hides his face* Shut up...

Keira: *giggles* Well, I'm working on Yami's POV of this. I don't have a set date for it yet, but it will be a new fic and called Texting A Stranger. Be on the look-out for it! ^_^

Ami: And all news and updates, and other stories are located on the author's Wattpad page. The link is in our bio.

Keira: Thank you all so much for reading! The next Text will feature Yugi and Yami working on their Resolution List! :P

Yugi: Bye for now! Don't forget to leave a review! :D