"Aibou, take the chips from her." Yami told Yugi softly. He was standing away from Yugi's friends, but was sure the young one could hear him based on how Yugi flinched. Yami's heart sank. Was Yugi that mad at him?

"Yugi, please, it's the only way. Take them from her. You need to get into the castle to save your grandpa," the spirit continued to plead. Then, a horrible thought went through Yugi's mind. Yami heard it through their link and couldn't stop the look of terror that appeared over his features.

Maybe if I take the puzzle apart, he won't be able to control me anymore.

The little one's hands, which were previously at his side, came up to cradle the puzzle. He was going to do it. Yami could feel his determination.

NO! Yugi! Stop!

Please, I'll leave, I promise.

Don't do this.

Go, then.

And don't come back.

His Aibou's thoughts were shaky. Yugi was frightened, but, of what, Yami didn't know.

You mean until you calm down, right?

Yami's chest clenched as seconds passed and his Aibout didn't answer him. He was vaguely aware of Tea challenging Mai to a duel for the star chips. He couldn't react. Did Yugi truly want him gone forever? But...they had only just started being friends.

With a sigh, Yami retreated into his soul room, trying to figure out why Yugi was so mad at him. He might have crossed a line, but did it really warrant that kind of threat? Taking apart the puzzle was the second worst thing that could happen to Yami, right after Yugi abandoning it altogether. He supposed Yugi wouldn't understand that, since the boy had his own body and wasn't trapped in an item. But...Yugi was kind. He wouldn't do that to Yami even if he doesn't understand it. He wouldn't do that to anyone, including that jerk Kaiba. His Aibou was just upset. He would calm down eventually. Yami would wait for him to do so and then reappear, preferably, when they're alone.

"Yugi, please answer me." the spirit pleaded for what was probably the thousandth time that day. Yugi still remained seated on the couch of their room in Pegasus's castle, ignoring Yami completely.

The spirit's tone had gone from pissed to concerned to frantic to soft all in ten minutes. Yugi hadn't answered him once. He didn't want to. The spirit had broken Yugi's trust entirely. The smaller one looked down at the table, where his deck was laid out, all cards facing up. Could he really do this? Could he duel without the spirit's help? He had to. He couldn't risk the spirit hurting anyone else, especially not because of him. He'd probably lose. No. He'd most definitely lose, but he was sure Joey had his back. The blonde would win and ask for grandpa's soul back.

He really appreciated the fact that Tea got him his star chips back, but they wouldn't do him any good now. He couldn't duel without the spirit, and wouldn't duel with him. He wouldn't harm anyone else, even for his grandfather's soul. That's the difference between him and the spirit. Yugi had a heart. He also had faith in his friends. Joey was a great duelist. He'd come through for grandpa, and Yugi would cheer him along all the way.

"Yugi, stop this nonsense. Joey might be a good duelist, but he cannot win against Pegasus. He won't be able to get your grandfather back, Only we could do that. Not letting me help you would be throwing the tournament and that would be a foolish move. I don't understand what you're so afraid of. Perhaps if you explain it to me, I would better be able to put your mind at ease," the spirit said firmly.

He doesn't even understand why I am upset.

He doesn't even think he did anything wrong.

How can he just not understand?

"Aibou…" he heard the spirit whisper after a few seconds of silence.

"Don't call me that!" Yugi screamed at him. Yami jumped back. Yugi never used that tone with...anyone. It hurt that the spirit was the first to receive it. Yugi continued "It's pretty clear I don't want you around anymore. Go back in the puzzle and never speak to me again or - or I'll lock it away for good."

Yugi regretted the words as soon as they were out of his mouth. The spirit's eyes widened, and he looked away, but not before Yugi saw the tears running down his cheeks. Hurt radiated through the mind link they shared, and, before Yugi could take it back, the spirit retreated into the puzzle.

Yugi jumped when he suddenly heard a loud crashing noise, followed by something shattering and heart-wrenching sobbing sounding through their mind link. What was happening there?

Spirit?!

Suddenly, the sounds and feelings disappeared. The spirit had shut their mind link altogether, blocking Yugi out. The small one suddenly became frantic. What was he doing in there? I didn't think he'd be this upset. I shouldn't have said that. That was too harsh. He must've known I would never do that, though. I have to apologize to him. Before Yugi could retreat into the puzzle, someone knocked on the door.

Joey didn't know what he was doing there. He only knew that he couldn't sleep well no matter how much he told himself that he needed to be well-rested for tomorrow. That thought only made things worse. He needed Yugi's reassurance, even if he was upset at Kaiba, even if his small friend thought he was crazy for what he was about to ask. He needed some sort of confirmation that Kaiba would be alright.

"Joey? What are you doing here? Why aren't you asleep?" Yugi asked as he opened his door to the blonde and stepped aside to let him slip in. Joey plopped down on the bed and looked at the floor, trying to figure out how to phrase his question.

"Yugi, I know Kaiba put you in a bad position and all, but you're going to ask Pegasus to release his soul if you win, right?" the blonde blurted out, figuring it didn't do him any good to keep stalling.

"I would've Joey, of course. I think it's going to be up to you, now, though."

What?

"What the hell are you talking about, Yug? You're not dropping out now!" Joey snapped, lifting his eyes up to meet Yugi's. The small one looked both nervous and frightened. What was wrong with him? Where's his confidence? His 'faith and heart of the cards' sayings? Why was he giving up? Now wasn't the time for this!

"I am not forfeiting. I just don't think I have what it takes to win against any one of you, Joey, especially you. I'd be surprised if I made it past the first round, but I believe in-"

"What the hell are you talking about?! Of course, you do! Don't let anyone or anything tell you otherwise, Yuge. You can win for sure," Joey yelled, sure his voice was reaching the other rooms. He didn't care. Yuge couldn't give up now. There was too much at stake. One of them needed to win the tournament. Joey would do his best, but if Yugi beat him, then he'd be the one who is able to face Pegasus, not the blonde. None of that would happen if the small teen just loses all faith in himself now!

"Not without him," the small teen murmured softly, his gaze landing on the puzzle, which was on the table along with his cards. For a second, Joey was confused by Yugi's words, before it hit him.

Oh.

The spirit.

The one who saved us from Bakura.

"You're right man, he's really good. So, what's the problem? Why can't he play tomorrow? Is this about the duel with Kaiba?" Joey asked, starting to get impatient. He loved Yugi with all his heart, but the small boy always let his innocent, naive side get the better of him, like with Weevil. It drove Joey crazy. The blonde hoped Yugi wouldn't confirm his suspicions, but then the small teen started to nod. Joey groaned and put his head in his hands. Yugi instantly looked furious. They started yelling at each other.

"He almost killed Kaiba, Joey. You can't tell me I am overreacting!"

"I am not saying he's a saint, but you shouldn't just banish him like this. He clearly had your best interest at heart."

"Killing a person is definitely not in my best interest!"

"He didn't do it on purpose, Yuge. He wasn't just taking a chance."

"A chance on someone's life!"

"Didn't Kaiba do the same to you?" Joey asked more quietly. He didn't want to fight anymore. On some level, they were both right. The blonde knew Yugi had a good heart and would forgive the spirit eventually, so why not speed things up a bit?

"What?" Yugi asked, tilting his head to the side in confusion.

"Kaiba...He did the same thing to you. Forced you to kill someone. It's either Kaiba dies or grandpa is gone forever. There were no good options, Yuge! The spirit chose the one that might end in both of them being alive, in the hope that Kaiba was bluffing. I don't know if he was, but I know I hate him for the position he put you in. Perhaps the spirit felt the same way I did and his anger took over or somethin'. Look what I am trying to say is that you shouldn't keep 'im from dueling. He might be the only chance we all have, man. Talk to him, please."

Yugi looked like he was feeling guilty. Joey didn't like speaking to him this way, but they didn't have any room for mistakes the next day. Yugi needed to give it his all, and that meant letting the spirit help.

"He's not talking to me right now, either," Yuge replied, looking guilty at the puzzle.

"Well, promise you'll at least let him help you if it looks like you're about to lose," Joey said, then sighed in relief when Yugi nodded.

"I promise."