Disclaimer. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! It belongs to Kazuki Takahashi and crew.
The gang glared up at the intruder.
"I'm the one that's going to play with you!" He shouted.
They looked at each other. "What?" Yami walked down the steps, Mr. Tomoya close behind. (He had followed Yami despite the fact that I didn't write that down. Sorry.)
"Heh. Another wannabe hero huh? Wanna get your ass beat too?"
Mr. Tomoya rushed to his son's side, drawing him away from the hostile group, watching from a distance. "Hanasaki! Are you alright?" His son took the mask off, rubbing his eyes. "My eyes burn but I'll be fine."
The ringleader flicked his cigarette out of his mouth.
"This'll be fun." Said Yami calmly.
The thugs cracked their knuckles. "Tch. He's dissing us." Yami quietly picked up a can of spray paint then took off. The thugs follwed. While running, Yami aimed the spay can at the ground, creating a line of paint wherever he went. He cut away sharply just as one man tried to aim a punch at him.
"He's fast! I'm gonna kill him!"
Mr. Tomoya helped Hanasaki up. His son turned, watching Yami dodge circles around the muggers. 'He came for me!'
Mr. Tomoya took his son's hand. "Come on. Let's go home."
He gaped at his dad. "What? No dad! I'm not running away any more! If I run away now I'll always be a coward!" He ran down the stairs.
His dad gasped. "Hanasaki! Get back here!"
Yami stopped. His back was to the edge of the pier. The thugs cornered him. "Nowhere to run now." Yami smirked, confusing them.
"Do you think I was just running around scared? Fools! Why don't you try looking at the ground for once?" They looked down, seeing an intricate maze of spray paint.
"He's been tagging the ground!" Yami shook his head. "No. Not tagging. Look where the maze starts. The cigarette you dropped is the fuse. To set the paint on fire!"
The flame of the cigarette butt flickered, before coming into contact with the paint. Instantly the entire maze became alive with leaping flames, hungrily grabbing the thugs legs. "Argh! My legs!"
Yami smiled darkly. "Welcome to my maze of fire!"
The men ran around like scared chickens, trying to stomp the flames out. Yami watched them silently, rather enjoying the whole thing. He was blocking the only exit to the ocean. They ran towards him, flapping their arms. He stepped aside, watching them jump into the water and paddle away, their clothes smoking.
"Yugi!"
Yami turned around, seeing Hanasaki run towards him. His dad stood near the stairs, awestruck. 'You really have changed Tomoya. But with your friends lighting the way you'll be fine.'
Hanasaki sniffled, tears still running out of his paint encrusted eyes. "I'm sorry. I guess I can't be a hero after all."
Yami patted his shoulder. "Of course you can be a hero."
The young boy smiled. "Oh wow! Thank you!" He ran off towards his dad, hugging him. Mr. Tomoya waved at Yami, then walked away with his son. Feeling satisfied, Yami headed for Yugi's house. A slight shift in his mind told him that Yugi was awake. Before he could even call out a greeting, Yugi instantly asked, /Dare I even ask what happened?/
Yami cringed.
/Uhh.../
A sigh. /Nevermind. But judging from your good mood you rescued Hanasaki?/
Yami perked up. /Yeah. I told him he could still be a hero./
Yugi giggled.
/What?/
After quieting down Yugi managed to speak. /I guess even you have a soft spot./
Yami frowned as he opened the door to the Kame Game Shop. /What do you mean even me?/
Silence. Shrugging, Yami decided not to press further. He closed the door and switched with Yugi. Yugi stared down at his puzzle, poking it. No response.
"Whatever."
He walked off, seeing his mom rummaging around in the kitchen. She was quiet, not acknowledging Yugi. Only then did Yugi realize he'd been gone all night. Well, most of the night. He ran to his mom, hugging her. "I'm so sorry I'm late!"
Without a word his mom returned the hug, tears running down her face. Then, she spoke softly. "Dear! Please don't scare me like that again! I was really worried!"
Yugi scuffed his feet. "Sorry."
His mom nodded. "Off to bed with you."
Yugi obediently went up to his room, closing the door then leaping on his bed, burying his head in his pillow. Yami appeared beside him, sitting on the bed. "My apologies for making your mom worry."
"S'kay." Yugi's words were muffled by the pillow.
Yami went to say more then noticed that his companion was fast asleep. With a hint of a smile, he vanished into the puzzle.
End Of Chapter Fifteen Part Four
