Ch. 4

Thirty-two year old Yugi Moto yawned. His class yammered around him, throwing paper balls at one another and basically wreaking havoc. And surprisingly, Yugi didn't care.

The bell rang. Yugi inwardly rejoiced.

"Class, make sure you have your projects in on Thursday, it's 10 points off for every day late."

Groans. The classroom emptied to the sounds of moaning about the unfairness of it all. Yugi smiled slightly. Teenagers.

You were one once, he reminded himself sternly. You know how they feel.

That doesn't mean I should go any easier on them. I already extended the deadline a week, he retorted and silenced the inner voice.

Gathering his briefcase, laptop, and gradebook, Yugi made his way out of the classroom and down the stairs.

"Mr. Moto!"

Yugi turned, and a genuine smile broke upon his still youthful face at the sight of slightly plump Ms. Retger, the other English teacher. She hurried to catch up with him, flushed and a bit out of breath. He waited for her, and gently embraced her when she arrived.

She giggled like a schoolgirl. "Yugi Moto, since when did you hug your friends?"

Yugi laughed. "I don't know—I guess I'm just in a good mood today."

"Well," she said, pushing a strand of honey brown hair out of her laughing eyes, "if you get hungry this evening, pop on over. I'm getting creative and trying a chicken parmesan dish tonight."

Yugi's eyes lit up. "I'll be there with bells on, Mary!"

She laughed at his eagerness. "Men."

*****

Yugi's beat-up old green Toyota pickup rattled as he slid it into park. His driveway crunched under foot; he reminded himself for the umpteenth time to rake the autumn leaves that covered the pavement. Fumbling for his keys, he grabbed the mail and stuck it between his teeth to unlock the front door.

His enthusiastic cocker spaniel, Exodia, greeted him as he stumbled inside, nearly knocking him onto the terazzo floor. He reached down with his free hand to scratch her head. "Gook gur," he mumbled affectionately around the mail in his mouth. He took the offending letters out and hung his keys on their hook, ruffling the dog's ears again and repeating the phrase. "Good girl."

Yugi kicked off his polished brown loafers and undid his slightly tacky tie. With his collar up and his pants slightly lower from the removal of his belt, Yugi sank into his dingy recliner. He sighed and pushed his glasses up, rubbing his tired eyes. Exodia lept up and curled her sleek body under Yugi's arm. The man smiled and clicked on the soft light.

He shuffled through the mail half-heartedly. "Bills… bills… junk… Duelist Monthly, didn't I cancel that?… bills, damnit, so many bills! Don't they know I'm on a teacher's pay and cannot afford to have my life sucked away by the IRS?"

The last letter in the stack was an interesting one, having been plastered by stamps of every shape and size. In minute handwriting, Yugi's address was displayed in the exact center of the envelope. The back flap was decorated by flames, and included a message: I did not know how much postage was needed. I hope 'twas enough. The envelope itself was black.

Yugi knew there was something familiar about the handwriting, but nothing could have prepared him for the shock he received when he opened the letter and skimmed to the signature. Yami.

"He-he wrote to me?" Yugi murmured, eyes widening in shock and delight. "I thought he was dead…"

He was quick to phone Ms. Retger and tell her that yes, he would be over later and to keep the chicken warm. Then he settled down once again with Exodia and slid his glasses down in front of his eyes. Smiling slightly at the Egyptian's sprawled script, Yugi began to read.

"Yugi-

"Have you ever seen an American sunset? I saw one the other night that was simply fantastic, with crimson and gold and even a hint of sapphire. Really, the ones in Japan don't do this justice. Even Egypt pales in comparison.

"That sunset reminded me of you; more specifically, of your shockingly spiked hair. My current vessel, Elaina, has long straight hair, and I find myself missing the spikes. They were, as you used to say, incredibly fun."

I'd do anything just to hold you in my arms

to try to make you laugh

'cause somehow I can't put you in the past

I'd do anything just to fall asleep with you

Will you remember me

Because I know I won't forget you

Yugi found himself wiping away a tear that had threatened to roll down his bespectacled cheek. He hasn't forgotten me… wait a minute, Elaina? His vessel is a woman?

"Yes, Yugi, my vessel is a young lady named Elaina Sparks. She is sixteen years old and a duelist after my own heart, if I do say so myself. She learns quickly and has already beaten nearly every single duelist in her school. Under my tutelege, who knows how far she may go?

"The change wasn't easy to adapt to, I will tell you that. However, Elaina and I get along well enough. We still have our differences, mind you, but you should have seen the look on her young face when I told her about my duties as Pharaoh! She thought that ruling a country and getting to play shadow games would be wonderful. It was, I suppose, to a certain extent."

()()()()

Wow... long chappie... hope you liked! Review!