Joey purposely ignored the brunette as he and his friends got on the helicopter. He was beyond relieved that Kaiba and Mokuba were alright, but he couldn't look at Kaiba without remembering what he had done to Yugi and how much turmoil his friend had gone through because of his ex-lover. How could Kaiba do that to Yugi of all people? The brunette hadn't even blinked an eye before turning his back on the small teen and entering the castle. Didn;t he realize how distraught Yugi was over the whole situation? Didn't he care? If he didn't, then he doesn't have a heart.

The blonde had excused the brunette' behavior towards everyone at school, knowing that Kaiba had trust issues and the emotional capacity of a rock, but the brunette was kind to Joey when they were alone. How could he just do that to one of the blonde's closest friends? He was clearly playing Joey. If the kindness Kaiba showed the blonde was at all genuine, Kaiba could've never done anything like that to anybody.

I am such an idiot.

What was I thinking?

And I actually thought he was a good guy at heart…

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

The blonde sat next to Yugi on their way back, but noticed that the small teen was strangely quiet.

"Is everything alright, Yuge?"

The small boy jumped as if he hadn't previously noticed Joey's presence, then frowned slightly and shook his head.

"He's not speaking to me," the small boy murmured, grasping the puzzle closely, almost hugging it, with a sad look in his eyes, "he hasn't said a single word since the duel. I think I upset him too much."

"What are you talkin' about, Yuge? You're the best guy in the world! You'd never upset anybody," Joey said quickly, fearing the boy would start crying. Surely enough, when Yugi looked up, his eyes were glazed over.

"I was really mean to him after our duel with Kaiba. I threatened to put the puzzle away," Yugi whispered, looking at the ground in shame, "He was very distressed about it, and I didn't take it back or make him feel better."

Everything bad always somehow goes back to you, moneybags!

Joey thought of ways he could help his friend. It wasn't everyday that a strange spirit who lives in some artifact stops speaking to the artifact's owner.

"Maybe you should try talking to him? Anyone who sees your eyes right now would have trouble saying no to ya."

To Joey's relief, Yugi actually found that funny and started to giggle, then nodded and closed his eyes, leaning back in the seat. Joey was confused at first, but then figured out that this was how Yugi communicated with the spirit. The blonde looked around the helicopter briefly and caught Kaiba's glare boring through his head. Joey instantly looked away.

Right back at ya, jerk.

Yugi walked around for what felt like forever, calling out for the spirit. He didn't know how to find him within the strange maze that was the spirit's soul room. It had almost killed Shadi, and, now, Yugi was nervous that it would do the same thing to him.

God, I wish I could just find him, already.

Suddenly, a single door appeared, causing Yugi to yelp in surprise and almost run for it. A second later, when nothing else seemed out of the ordinary, the young boy looked around the door. It seemed to lead nowhere. No room appeared behind it. It was simply a barrier between the boy and the rest of his chosen path. Yugi hoped it wasn't a trap and opened the door. He stepped through and seemingly just continued on the same path he was already on. Then, the door disappeared.

That's weird.

Yugi looked around once more and was surprised to find that the previously unoccupied staircase in front of him now had someone sitting on the top step, leaning sideways into the wall, his knees drawn up to his chest

"Other me!" Yugi yelled and started advancing towards the spirit, whose head remained resting against the wall beside him. The spirit didn't acknowledge Yugi's presence when the young boy came up and sat beside him. The spirit's eyes were opened, though they seemed to be focused on something in the far distance. Yugi's chest clenched. Why was the spirit ignoring him?

"What's wrong?" the small boy asked instantly, tugging at the spirit's arm so the older one would look at him, "why weren't you answering me before? Wh-why aren't you answering me now? Is everything okay?"

Without moving an inch or looking at Yugi, the spirit simply said, in a cold tone, "you told me to leave you alone, and never come back, didn't you?"

Yugi's eyes widened. His heart sank as he recalled how cruel he'd been to the spirit, what he'd said to him.

I didn't mean it, other me!

Of course, I didn't.

We're friends.

I was just upset.

Please stop being like this.

You're scaring me.

A dark chuckling filled their mind link, which Yugi wasn't even aware was still present inside these weird chambers. The small boy jumped back at the strange, malevolent sound.

He's your friend for now.

Until you do something else he disapproves of.

Then, he'll threaten to lock you up again.

"Other me, I am so sorry! I swear I was just upset. Please believe me. Don't you ever do or say things you don't mean when you're angry? I do! All the time! I'll try not to from now on. You really shouldn't take me so seriously. I've been told I am too emotional. I didn't mean to make you sad or anything. I-I would never lock the puzzle away. I shouldn't have said that. I wouldn't take it apart, either. You're very special to me, spirit. Please…"

With that, Yugi burst into tears. He was surprised when he felt a hand on his cheek, wiping his tears away. He opened his eyes and found that the spirit was now looking right at him, giving him a sad smile.

"I didn't mean for you to hear that, Aibou. I'm sorry. I thought I had closed our mind link," he said gently, continuing to rub the tears off Yugi's cheek. Yugi couldn't believe the spirit was actually comforting him after Yugi had made him feel so awful. The small teen shook his head, taking the spirit's hand off his cheek, and squeezed it in his own. He continued to speak, not letting go of the spirit's hand.

"You wouldn't have thought it if it wasn't true, other me. You don't need to apologize. I am the one who should be sorry. I really shouldn't have said any of that. I've obviously upset you," Yugi said firmly, not wanting the spirit to just forgive him because he was crying. Yugi was aware that he had a baby face and that a lot of people found him adorable and forgave his tantrums easily as a result. He didn't want the spirit to treat him the same way. Yugi was 14. He should be more courteous of his friend's emotions, even if his friend had no physical presence.

"That's not why I am forgiving you, Yugi. You've been very kind to me and you had every right to be upset. Perhaps you even had the right to take the puzzle apa-"

"No, I didn't! Woul-wouldn't that kill you?!" Yugi asked, horrified. How could the spirit speak so casually about his own death? Didn't he care? Was he so unhappy that he wouldn't mind if Yugi took the puzzle apart for good? That sounded awful to the young teen, who was determined to make the spirit happier, even if by a little bit. It was the least he could do for his new friend.

"Not really. From what I understand, I think the proper term is comatosed," the spirit continued in an apathetic tone, then smiled slightly and spoke more softly, "You really don't have to try and make me feel better, Yugi. I don't mean to put you down, but I believe it would be a waste of your efforts."

No, it wouldn't!

I need to fix this.

You have to, at least, give me a chance.

You don't know me!

Yugi tried to glare at the spirit to show how determined he was, but his other self burst into laughter.

I'm sorry, but they're right.

You're too adorable to stay mad at, Yugi.

The small teen huffed, but was hiding a smile. At least he made the spirit feel better in a sense.

"Does this mean you'll come out of...whatever this weird place is?" Yugi asked hesitantly, then bit his lip and gave the spirit his best puppy-eyes look. His other self smiled back at him and nodded.

As soon as they were out the door of the strange space the spirit had created for himself, Yugi turned towards him and asked what he would like to be called.

Yami.

I like it.

It suits him.

I am going to help you in any way I can, Yami.

Mark my words.