*After reading the reviews* O_O
Yugi: O_O
Yami: YES! YES! I WIN THE BET!
Yami Bakura: Shut up.
Wow, let's count these up again. Just to be sure.
Yugi: Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen...gah, I keep losing count! All these people want fluff!
Yami: Hah hah! They really like me!
Yami Bakura: No duh you ding-dong, you're a main character in a TV show!
Yami: AND I won the bet! All hail the King of Games!
Don't party too soon boys, because there were plenty of requests for angst or at least an angst/fluff combo. Sooooo...
Yami: O_O
I'm writing an alternate ending fic for this one!
Yami: NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Yami Bakura: ^_^ Take that Pharaoh!
Yugi: *sighs* This might take a while, so I'll just get us started.
::Chaos Chao doesn't own Yugioh::
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter Eight - Take, these Broken Wings, and learn to Fly Again...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, I woke up to the faces of my friends. That was a bit unexpected, so they understood when I yelped
and fell off the couch. That caused a few giggles from everybody, including Yami. "How did you guys get in?" I demanded.
//Aibou, you left the door unlocked.// /Oops. We didn't get robbed, did we?/ He ruffled my hair playfully. "Don't worry
about the door, Yug. Ryou and his Yami haven't come by yet," Joey said with a laugh. That got a bigger laugh, although the
nice moment was ruined by Yami coughing. I couldn't believe I had forgotten. "Oh man I forgot! Yami, you're going to have
to rest for a while." "He didn't sound that bad to me," Tristan said lamely. //I shouldn't, I've been practicing it for
over three days now.// Yami muttered to me. I hid a chuckle as Ryou and Yami Bakura came in. "Oh, he came back I see,"Yami
Bakura said in a disappointed voice. "Yami!" Ryou said disapprovingly. "Well, I did want the glory of defeating him first
anyway," the dark spirit said quickly. Yami raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Does he know there's solid evidence backing my
claim to the title as King of Games?" He asked. "Oh, he knows," Ryou said. "He just wants to feel like a big-shot." That
got more laughs, and although he glared a lot at first eventually even Yami Bakura joined in.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I stretched and yawned, feeling very content. I was in my Soul Room, of course, and the change in here had been
quite evident. The dark mist of depressing despair was long gone. There was only one situation that remained unresolved,
but for that I was content to wait. After all, if that Tomb Robber and his Hikari can become an 'item', as they say,
anything's possible. Just then I heard a slight knock at my Soul Room Door. I wandered over, curious. I mean, there's only
one person that can come here besides me, but I was curious as to why he was visiting. Opening the Door revealed Yugi,
looking as though he was unsure whether to stay or not. I noticed the swirling colors around his Door showed a great deal of
uncertainty. And a lot of something else. "Bored?" I asked, and he grinned sheepishly. "Kind of." I let him in my Soul
Room. He seemed surprised at the interior for a moment. "It's brighter than when I went in here last time," he said. Since
we both knew when that was, I just walked back to the bench and sat, letting him decide whether he wanted to sit. He sat;
but now he seemed to be at a complete loss for words. I could see the way his gaze flickered amongst the pillars. "You
know, if you want to explore, be my guest." I gestured to the pillars. "Really? But - " "I don't mind, although I would
suggest you avoid the ones that are blue, black, copper, diamond, and ivory." "What about the rust ones?" I blinked.
"Those? If you can actually touch them, I don't see why not. For some reason I can't look at those." "Really? Why not?"
To answer, I just lead the way to one and stuck my hand out. It stopped a foot away. Aibou's hand pressed against it like
nothing was blocking it - I don't think he meant to do that. His face went blank for a moment, then he laughed. "What was
it Aibou?" I asked curiously. "I saw that one by accident last time," he said. "You're Pharaoh, and Yami Bakura ends up
owing you a favor." "Oh he does, does he?" The possibilities with that went whizzing through my head as I made my way back
to the bench. And Bakura didn't mention it to anyone else, I'd wager. This sort of news could be very fun…my thoughts
drifted until I finally dozed off on the bench.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I walked around a bit, getting my bearings. It was kind of funny seeing Yami asleep, though the bench looked a
little uncomfortable. But that was just as well, since I was looking for something I didn't want him to see. I walked
until, interestingly enough, I reached a wall. I found it by running into in with my face. It was black - actually, it was
more than black. Blacker than black, if that's possible. And though my eyes kept telling me it wasn't there, I stuck my
hands out and there it was. Of course, my hands went numb from the contact, so I quickly left the wall. I looked until I
found the color I thought was appropriate for my search. Jade. After working the circulation back into my fingers I pressed
my hand against the pillar.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Yugi was completely exhausted from 'hanging out' with his new friends. When he fell asleep, it was more like he was
comatose. I made certain he was really that deeply asleep before getting ready. He doesn't really understand the Puzzle,
and he hasn't really noticed me as a separate person. One day I hope that will change, but for now I'm not going just up and
talk to him in public, or do something equally foolish. The last thing Yugi needs is to think he's hallucinating. Back to
what I was planning: I had proven that I could emerge and control our body, and for some reason no one noticed the difference
between us. But I was curious as to if I could emerge separately. Luckily for me, Yugi had fallen asleep with the Puzzle
on. In fact, he hadn't done a single one of his usual 'getting ready for bed' activities. I knew that if I was able to do
this at all, it wouldn't matter if he was wearing the Puzzle or not. But him wearing it gave me a margin of error. This
way, the worst I could screw up was take control of the body. I went over the correct spell, concentrated, and…I appeared
next to Yugi. A quick examination proved I needed a bit more practice. Right now I was a ghostly, washed-out version of my
normal appearance. It was kind of amusing, considering I am technically no longer alive. I checked on Yugi. He was still
asleep, snoring. The way he looked, it really could only be classified as 'cute'. My personal thoughts got interrupted when
the one thing I had neglected to plan for happened. Yugi's grandfather came in, presumably to check on his grandson. He
stopped dead in his tracks when we saw each other. He did a double-take when he saw Yugi snoring away on the bed. "Well,
this is unexpected," he finally said. "And who might I have the pleasure of meeting this evening?" Remarkably level headed,
that fellow. I was about to reply, but then something interesting came up. What exactly was I supposed to say? I mean, the
boy himself didn't know I existed. I finally settled on my former name. "I am…Yuugioh," I said. My voice was slightly
different than when I normally spoke, I noted. "Indeed? May I also presume you are connected to the Millennium Puzzle in
some way?" "You may," I said. Vaguely outrageous hints called for replies in kind. He smiled knowingly and walked over to
Yugi. "I _thought_ something happened when he completed the Puzzle. Makes me glad I gave it to him after all." I already
knew that part. His casual manner concerning something that could have seriously endangered his grandson was…admittedly
refreshing. I stood to the side and watched as he pulled the covers over his grandson. He didn't take off the Puzzle, which
vaguely surprised me. "Of course," he said over his shoulder, "When I learned about the forces of shadows that are
associated with this relic, I never expected a _person_ would be part of the deal." I smirked slightly and walked around the
room, getting used to the feel of being on my own. As the old man still had his back to me I quickly performed an experiment
to check on my solidity. My hand _could_ go through objects, I saw, but at least there was a bit of resistance. Turning back
revealed the old man looking at me in what was distinctly amusement. "Well then, Your Highness, It's been a pleasure meeting
you." I blinked. I had barely remembered that little tidbit of my former life, how did he - "I can tell that Yugi has no
idea about your presence, so if you don't mind I'll keep this conversation between us. I do hope you and him get along."
With that, he left and I gladly went back to my Soul Room with a headache. "What an odd fellow," I said to myself as Yugi
continued to sleep, oblivious of the whole thing…
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I swallowed a laugh. _Grandpa_, of all people? This had happened long before my first duel with Kaiba. And Grandpa
had known about Yami the whole time? In a way, it didn't surprise me in the least. But at least that was taken care of.
Whether Grandpa would approve was something I had been fretting over. But knowing for sure as I now knew, I was ready to go
ahead with my little plan. I saw Yami still sleeping as I went back to my own Soul Room, where everything was almost in
place.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yugi: Grandpa knew about this the whole time?!?!
Yami: Well, he _did_ give you the Puzzle, remember?
Yugi: Oh yeah! ^__^
There's a long chapter for you! Which probably means there's only enough story left for one more!
Yami: Yes!
So after I finish this fic, i'll be able to work more on the alternate ending fic and get it up soon!
Yami: Nooooooooo!
Yugi: Make up your mind!
Okay...anyway, those of you that wanted Angst, listen up! I'm going to need your help! *ahem* WHAT EVIL TORTURE CAN I DO? ALL MY BEST IDEAS ARE GONE OR BEING USED ELSEWHERE!
Yami: You wouldn't dare! Don't listen to her, she's - *'whumph' noise, followed by muffled yells*
Yugi: O_O
Yami Bakura: Right, that's one whining Yami in a sack, that'll be 100 grand in all.
Sure! *hands Yami Bakura an 100 Grand candy bar*
Yugi: Uh-oh...
Yami Bakura: *laughs more insanely than ever and runs off with his candy*
Yugi: O_O
Yami: YES! YES! I WIN THE BET!
Yami Bakura: Shut up.
Wow, let's count these up again. Just to be sure.
Yugi: Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen...gah, I keep losing count! All these people want fluff!
Yami: Hah hah! They really like me!
Yami Bakura: No duh you ding-dong, you're a main character in a TV show!
Yami: AND I won the bet! All hail the King of Games!
Don't party too soon boys, because there were plenty of requests for angst or at least an angst/fluff combo. Sooooo...
Yami: O_O
I'm writing an alternate ending fic for this one!
Yami: NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Yami Bakura: ^_^ Take that Pharaoh!
Yugi: *sighs* This might take a while, so I'll just get us started.
::Chaos Chao doesn't own Yugioh::
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter Eight - Take, these Broken Wings, and learn to Fly Again...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, I woke up to the faces of my friends. That was a bit unexpected, so they understood when I yelped
and fell off the couch. That caused a few giggles from everybody, including Yami. "How did you guys get in?" I demanded.
//Aibou, you left the door unlocked.// /Oops. We didn't get robbed, did we?/ He ruffled my hair playfully. "Don't worry
about the door, Yug. Ryou and his Yami haven't come by yet," Joey said with a laugh. That got a bigger laugh, although the
nice moment was ruined by Yami coughing. I couldn't believe I had forgotten. "Oh man I forgot! Yami, you're going to have
to rest for a while." "He didn't sound that bad to me," Tristan said lamely. //I shouldn't, I've been practicing it for
over three days now.// Yami muttered to me. I hid a chuckle as Ryou and Yami Bakura came in. "Oh, he came back I see,"Yami
Bakura said in a disappointed voice. "Yami!" Ryou said disapprovingly. "Well, I did want the glory of defeating him first
anyway," the dark spirit said quickly. Yami raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Does he know there's solid evidence backing my
claim to the title as King of Games?" He asked. "Oh, he knows," Ryou said. "He just wants to feel like a big-shot." That
got more laughs, and although he glared a lot at first eventually even Yami Bakura joined in.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I stretched and yawned, feeling very content. I was in my Soul Room, of course, and the change in here had been
quite evident. The dark mist of depressing despair was long gone. There was only one situation that remained unresolved,
but for that I was content to wait. After all, if that Tomb Robber and his Hikari can become an 'item', as they say,
anything's possible. Just then I heard a slight knock at my Soul Room Door. I wandered over, curious. I mean, there's only
one person that can come here besides me, but I was curious as to why he was visiting. Opening the Door revealed Yugi,
looking as though he was unsure whether to stay or not. I noticed the swirling colors around his Door showed a great deal of
uncertainty. And a lot of something else. "Bored?" I asked, and he grinned sheepishly. "Kind of." I let him in my Soul
Room. He seemed surprised at the interior for a moment. "It's brighter than when I went in here last time," he said. Since
we both knew when that was, I just walked back to the bench and sat, letting him decide whether he wanted to sit. He sat;
but now he seemed to be at a complete loss for words. I could see the way his gaze flickered amongst the pillars. "You
know, if you want to explore, be my guest." I gestured to the pillars. "Really? But - " "I don't mind, although I would
suggest you avoid the ones that are blue, black, copper, diamond, and ivory." "What about the rust ones?" I blinked.
"Those? If you can actually touch them, I don't see why not. For some reason I can't look at those." "Really? Why not?"
To answer, I just lead the way to one and stuck my hand out. It stopped a foot away. Aibou's hand pressed against it like
nothing was blocking it - I don't think he meant to do that. His face went blank for a moment, then he laughed. "What was
it Aibou?" I asked curiously. "I saw that one by accident last time," he said. "You're Pharaoh, and Yami Bakura ends up
owing you a favor." "Oh he does, does he?" The possibilities with that went whizzing through my head as I made my way back
to the bench. And Bakura didn't mention it to anyone else, I'd wager. This sort of news could be very fun…my thoughts
drifted until I finally dozed off on the bench.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I walked around a bit, getting my bearings. It was kind of funny seeing Yami asleep, though the bench looked a
little uncomfortable. But that was just as well, since I was looking for something I didn't want him to see. I walked
until, interestingly enough, I reached a wall. I found it by running into in with my face. It was black - actually, it was
more than black. Blacker than black, if that's possible. And though my eyes kept telling me it wasn't there, I stuck my
hands out and there it was. Of course, my hands went numb from the contact, so I quickly left the wall. I looked until I
found the color I thought was appropriate for my search. Jade. After working the circulation back into my fingers I pressed
my hand against the pillar.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Yugi was completely exhausted from 'hanging out' with his new friends. When he fell asleep, it was more like he was
comatose. I made certain he was really that deeply asleep before getting ready. He doesn't really understand the Puzzle,
and he hasn't really noticed me as a separate person. One day I hope that will change, but for now I'm not going just up and
talk to him in public, or do something equally foolish. The last thing Yugi needs is to think he's hallucinating. Back to
what I was planning: I had proven that I could emerge and control our body, and for some reason no one noticed the difference
between us. But I was curious as to if I could emerge separately. Luckily for me, Yugi had fallen asleep with the Puzzle
on. In fact, he hadn't done a single one of his usual 'getting ready for bed' activities. I knew that if I was able to do
this at all, it wouldn't matter if he was wearing the Puzzle or not. But him wearing it gave me a margin of error. This
way, the worst I could screw up was take control of the body. I went over the correct spell, concentrated, and…I appeared
next to Yugi. A quick examination proved I needed a bit more practice. Right now I was a ghostly, washed-out version of my
normal appearance. It was kind of amusing, considering I am technically no longer alive. I checked on Yugi. He was still
asleep, snoring. The way he looked, it really could only be classified as 'cute'. My personal thoughts got interrupted when
the one thing I had neglected to plan for happened. Yugi's grandfather came in, presumably to check on his grandson. He
stopped dead in his tracks when we saw each other. He did a double-take when he saw Yugi snoring away on the bed. "Well,
this is unexpected," he finally said. "And who might I have the pleasure of meeting this evening?" Remarkably level headed,
that fellow. I was about to reply, but then something interesting came up. What exactly was I supposed to say? I mean, the
boy himself didn't know I existed. I finally settled on my former name. "I am…Yuugioh," I said. My voice was slightly
different than when I normally spoke, I noted. "Indeed? May I also presume you are connected to the Millennium Puzzle in
some way?" "You may," I said. Vaguely outrageous hints called for replies in kind. He smiled knowingly and walked over to
Yugi. "I _thought_ something happened when he completed the Puzzle. Makes me glad I gave it to him after all." I already
knew that part. His casual manner concerning something that could have seriously endangered his grandson was…admittedly
refreshing. I stood to the side and watched as he pulled the covers over his grandson. He didn't take off the Puzzle, which
vaguely surprised me. "Of course," he said over his shoulder, "When I learned about the forces of shadows that are
associated with this relic, I never expected a _person_ would be part of the deal." I smirked slightly and walked around the
room, getting used to the feel of being on my own. As the old man still had his back to me I quickly performed an experiment
to check on my solidity. My hand _could_ go through objects, I saw, but at least there was a bit of resistance. Turning back
revealed the old man looking at me in what was distinctly amusement. "Well then, Your Highness, It's been a pleasure meeting
you." I blinked. I had barely remembered that little tidbit of my former life, how did he - "I can tell that Yugi has no
idea about your presence, so if you don't mind I'll keep this conversation between us. I do hope you and him get along."
With that, he left and I gladly went back to my Soul Room with a headache. "What an odd fellow," I said to myself as Yugi
continued to sleep, oblivious of the whole thing…
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I swallowed a laugh. _Grandpa_, of all people? This had happened long before my first duel with Kaiba. And Grandpa
had known about Yami the whole time? In a way, it didn't surprise me in the least. But at least that was taken care of.
Whether Grandpa would approve was something I had been fretting over. But knowing for sure as I now knew, I was ready to go
ahead with my little plan. I saw Yami still sleeping as I went back to my own Soul Room, where everything was almost in
place.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yugi: Grandpa knew about this the whole time?!?!
Yami: Well, he _did_ give you the Puzzle, remember?
Yugi: Oh yeah! ^__^
There's a long chapter for you! Which probably means there's only enough story left for one more!
Yami: Yes!
So after I finish this fic, i'll be able to work more on the alternate ending fic and get it up soon!
Yami: Nooooooooo!
Yugi: Make up your mind!
Okay...anyway, those of you that wanted Angst, listen up! I'm going to need your help! *ahem* WHAT EVIL TORTURE CAN I DO? ALL MY BEST IDEAS ARE GONE OR BEING USED ELSEWHERE!
Yami: You wouldn't dare! Don't listen to her, she's - *'whumph' noise, followed by muffled yells*
Yugi: O_O
Yami Bakura: Right, that's one whining Yami in a sack, that'll be 100 grand in all.
Sure! *hands Yami Bakura an 100 Grand candy bar*
Yugi: Uh-oh...
Yami Bakura: *laughs more insanely than ever and runs off with his candy*