The Quirks of Love

Part Two: Gloves and Puzzles

I just don't understand it. Yugi thought to himself, Rebecca loved dueling.

I get the feeling she still does. Another voice answered.

Huh? Oh, Yugi sighed as he realized it was Yami Yugi speaking to him from his mental chamber. I didn't realize you were listening.

She seems troubled, we should help her.

But how?

Did you notice the gloves she was wearing? the ancient voice asked.

No…I didn't even look at her hands. Weren't they behind her back the whole time.

The inner voice made a sound of agreement. She wore gloves with spiked bans around them, buckled so that wouldn't allow the gloves to be easily removed. And she seemed particularly frightened by the monster card you tried to hand her.

But what does it all mean? Yugi wondered.

It means Rebecca has a secret, Yami Yugi answered, and it's up to us to find out what it is.

******

Rebecca slumped down to the sidewalk once she'd gotten several blocks away from the game shop…and Yugi.

Wiping her eyes she tried to collect herself. She couldn't run forever. Sooner or later someone would learn her secret. And she feared that someone, would be Yugi Mutou.

"Why did this have to happen to me?" she cried out.

"What happened?" a voice asked from behind her.

Spinning around she came face to face with, "YUGI?!" But how could he have caught up with her? She'd fled from the shop as if it were on fire and he'd been standing in the storage room dumbfounded…how the heck did he catch up with her so quickly?!

"Sorry," Yugi apologized, "I didn't mean to startle you. Are you alright?"

"I'm…" Rebecca was backing away, something strange was going on here.

"Rebecca," Yugi put a hand out to comfort her but she pulled away again. She was staring at him as if he were some sort of duel monster.

Wait Yugi! his puzzle spirit called, Let me try.

Figuring he had nothing to lose Yugi summoned forth the spirit and let it take control.

Rebecca watched--stunned--as Yugi transformed from a soft spoken young man to a brave and dark game master.

"Rebecca," the deep voice spoke, trying to sound as gentle as possible, "let me help you. I can sense you're afraid but whatever it is, I want to be there for you. Please, trust me."

Shocked and frightened Rebecca stumbled to her feet and started off down an alley only to bump smack into Yami Yugi.

"How'd you-" she began as he caught her before she could fall back.

"Like you Yugi possesses a few…secrets. Namely, me." Yami Yugi explained.

"This can't be happening." Rebecca muttered, "I'm dreaming!"

"No," he held her closer to prevent her escape, "it's all real. Now tell me, please, what's wrong?"

Helpless to fight off the stranger she gazed up into his eyes. The same gentle, violet eyes that Yugi had looked upon her with. He was truly entrancing. "Something's happened to me. Since the last time I dueled Yugi. I can't touch a duel monsters' card anymore without-"

"Rebecca!" Arthur called as he rounded the corner with Solomon close behind, "There you are! I've been worried. Why on Earth did you run out like that?"

Rebecca pushed herself out of Yami's arms and fled to her grandfather without completing her explanation. Seeing that he would get no further with her now Yami returned to the recesses of Yugi's mind and allowed the young duelist to regain control of his form.

"Any luck discovering what's bothering the poor girl?" Solomon asked his grandson as Rebecca followed her grandfather to their hotel.

"Not a lot Grandpa," Yugi admitted, "but maybe I'll know tomorrow."

******

That night Rebecca was wide awake, lying in her hotel bed and staring listlessly out the window and into the starry night.

Sighing she thought back to the stranger who Yugi had allowed to take control of his body. Who was he? He must have been what she'd sensed. The reason she shied away from Yugi. Or maybe…there was something more.

A gentle tap on her door pulled her back into reality, "Who is it?"

"It's me Rebecca dear," Arthur answered, "can I come in?"

"Yes."

Arthur entered and sat at the foot of Rebecca's bed, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, I guess."

"Mind telling me why you darted out of the game shop like that today?"

Rebecca turned away from him, she really didn't want to talk about this. "I--I just needed some air."

"You were crying." Arthur pointed out.

"I just didn't feel well." she lied. Anything to get her grandfather to drop the matter.

Seeing that she didn't want to tell him anymore Arthur reluctantly got up and headed for the door, he was more worried than ever now. "Rebecca?"

"Yes?"

"Since Yugi's on his summer break now I think it's best that the two of you spent a little more time together."

Rebecca had been dreading this, "But grandp-"

"It won't hurt you to make a few friends Rebecca." Arthur insisted, "And Yugi's a very nice boy who may be able to help you. Now Solomon and I are going out for a walk tomorrow to discuss old times and I think it's the perfect opportunity for you to go with Yugi on a tour of the city. You haven't visited here in so long…"

"Alright." Rebecca huffed and pulled the blankets over her head. This was going to be a disaster! Yugi would have all day to find out her secret and if that spirit guy came out again she'd never be able to keep her gift hidden.

Pleased by his granddaughter's submission Arthur turned and left the room. The moon shone down from the Heavens over the glistening city as the duelers and other citizens all drifted off to sleep. Rebecca couldn't sleep however, all she could think about was the piercing gaze of Yugi's spirit, and the innocent questioning of Yugi himself that would eventually lead her to disclose her deepest, darkest secret.

________________________________________________________________________

*Rebecca can't guard her secret forever, and Yami wasn't too shy about revealing himself to her. So do you think he has an idea about what her gift might be? I won't reveal it just yet, but I'd appreciate some more reviews. Thanks to everyone who reviewed for part one! ^_^*