QoH: I'm back, people! ^_^ Yami didn't kill me! *phew* He's a cool guy and all, but definitely not one you wanna make mad...
Yami: *pinches the bridge of his nose in annoyance* Speaking of me, remind me again why I have to be in this....?
QoH: *laughs happily* Cuz you make for such a good guide to Yugi, that's why! *goes on a 10-minute rant on why he was chosen*
Yugi: -_-'.....*thinks: And why do I need a guide...?*
Yami: *throws up his hands in exasperation* Oh, just get on with it, will you? I'd wager they don't want to hear you chatter.
QoH: *sticks her tongue out* It's my story, and I'll "get on with it" when I'm good and ready!
Yami: *eye twitching, voice dangerously low* What was that you were saying about not wanting to me mad...?
QoH: *eyes him nervously* er.... yeah, good point.... *ahem* neways, on with the show!
Chapter 2: Sanctuary In The Rain
Around 15 minutes later
Yugi still ran, unseeing, as fast his legs could carry him along the quickly dampening sidewalk. It had started to rain lightly about five minutes into his hasty dash from the shop, increasing dramatically in short order. Within a span of a few moments, it became an all-out downpour. The only thing to rival it was the burning tears that coursed down his face steadily, mingling hot and cold on his cheeks. He wiped them away furiously, only to have the wetness instantly replaced.
As he sprinted across a street, it hardly even registered when a horn blared in his ear, much closer than he would've like, normally. Only the quick, swerving, reaction of the driver saved him from becoming an instant pavement pancake. As though it matters now, Yugi mused sourly as he ran on without even looking back, his customary politeness chucked out the window in his all-consuming despair.
A sharp thud and full-body pain brought him back to reality, somewhat. Just his luck. He'd tripped in a mud puddle, and was now completely covered in the stuff. He spat out a mouthful and sat up gingerly, then blinked in mild surprise. Without even realizing it, he'd ended up in his favorite spot, the park almost two miles from home. Finally, something's gone right, Yugi smiled slightly as he got up and made his way to his secret place in the heart of the half-wild grounds.
He pushed aside the heavy ivy curtain to reveal the fissure in the rock behind it. In these moments, he was always glad he was such a small person as he sucked in his breath and squeezed through. At last, he made it through to the other side, where his haven awaited him. He switched on the flashlights he'd set up in strategic places around the little cavern so that they wouldn't show on the outside, giving him away. In doing so, he noticed they were starting to go a bit dim. I'll have to bring more batteries along with me next time. He hanged his clothes from the stash he'd put here for just this sort of emergency and stuffed the others in a plastic bag to take back with him to wash. He sighed as he plopped down, exhausted, on the nest of thick blankets against the far wall. His thoughts drifted, inevitably, back to Tea as he listened to the rain pound mercilessly on the rock's exterior.
~ So you're leaving
in the morning,
on the early plane. ~
He pushed the Millennium Puzzle out of the way and rolled over onto his stomach, wondering what he should do. He couldn't tell her, not now. Not when she'd just been given the chance fulfill her lifelong wish. It just wouldn't be right, somehow. But then, how could he just tell her "so long," like she was nothing more than a buddy? He didn't know if he would be capable of that. He dropped his head on the blankets in frustration. Knowing for years that this would happen one day was absolutely no help whatsoever. He'd always avoided thinking about it, and therefore, didn't have a ready solution. Well, whatever the case, Yugi thought as he pushed himself up resolutely, I can't stay here, hiding like a coward. I have to go back and face things head-on. I guess she'll just never know...
~ Well, I could say
everything's all right,
and I could pretend and say goodbye.
~
*That's the Yugi I know.* Yami's voice held a large note of pride as Yugi gathered his things.
*Oh, hey, Yami.* Yugi greeted him in vague surprise, *You've been pretty quiet lately.*
*I figured you needed to sort things out on your own.* Yami explained quietly, *Once you'd gotten over the initial hopelessness of the situation, I knew you'd make the right decision.*
Bitter laughter escaped Yugi for a moment as he prepared to go through the crevice again, *Yeah, it's all well and good to say that now, but let's see how I act tomorrow, when it really counts.*
*You'll do fine.* Yami reassured him when he got to the other side, *You're not my aibou for nothing, you know.*
Yugi smiled at this, even if it turned out not to be true, *Thanks, Yami.*
QoH: ^_^ Hey, whatcha think? Anybody? *listens to the e-crickets* ... -_-'
Yami: *smirks* This is too funny...
QoH: *glares at him* You're not helping, you know.
Yami: Yes, I know. *grins*
QoH: Whatever. *picks herself up again* Any Seto fans out there? I'm thinkin of puttin him in here too. *glances at Yami*
Yami: *looks less than thrilled* Peachy.
QoH: *tilts her head curiously* Why don't you two get along, anyway? I've always wondered.
Yami: *very sarcastically* Oh, I don't know. Could it possibly be the fact he has this obsession with defeating me?
QoH: *waves that aside unconcernedly* Besides that, I mean.
Yami: .....
Yugi: You might as well quit now. You'll never get anything out of him when he's like that, trust me.
QoH: S'pose you're right....*shrugs*